Envelope Clutch Tutorial!

This is the project I sent to Mara in her care-package. I typed it out on my old typewriter ($.250 at a church garage sale 9 years ago- still works perfectly!), which looks great- but unfortunately I forgot to type it out on the computer as well, so she had to send me the instructions... oops.

So, first, cut out your pieces.

1. 3 envelope shaped pieces- 12" along bottom, 18" high (think on folding it in thirds, so the peak should be 6"). Lining, interfacing and denim or something stiff.

2. 14"x 2" Strap

3.  Pocket

4. Strips, varying widths, 18' long

All the pieces

Next, fold your straps as shown in the photo, then fold in half and sew closed. Leave the short edges raw. Fold the pocket in half, right sides together, and sew almost all the way around the three open sides,  leaving enough space to flip it right side out. Press and top stitch just one long edge.

Folding the strap, preparing pocket

 Pin the pocket to lining.  If you put on middle third, top of pocket points up to peak.  If on bottom third, top of pocket points DOWN!  Sew pocket to lining, leaving topstitched side open.

Place pocket

Sew pocket on to liner. Mind the direction!

For the front of the purse, we will use the string quilt method.  Place your first strip right side down on the denim, just off center.  Sew, leaving 3/8" seam allowance.  Flip it over and press.

Starting the strip pieced quilt

 Take your next strip and place right side down, raw edge aligned with raw edge of first strip.  Sew, then flip second strip right side out and press.  So now your first strips just be neatly sewn under on both sides, and your second strip has one neat, one raw edge.  Repeat these steps until you reach one end, then go to the other side from the first strip.  You could also just start on one end, I was just taught from the middle....When all your strips are done, trim the excess, using the lining as a template.  Optional extra would be to topstitch the strips down.  I find it just looks a bit more polished, but it isn't structurally necessary. 

Second strip

Third Strip

Fourth Strip. Continue this way.

Trim the edges

Almost done!  Place your lining right side up.  Place strap so the raw edges are about 1cm past the raw edges of lining (strap is on top of lining, not hanging outside).  Place the main part on top, right side down.  You now have a purse sandwich, with the folded strap as the filling.  Pin around the edge.  Starting at the strap, sew all the way around the edge, 3/8" seam allowance, and finish about 3-4" before you get to the strap.  Clip the corners so that they are not bunchy.  

Purse sandwich, how to add the strap

again!

Flip right side out. Press.  Topstitch just the shorter side.  Now fold your envelope purse into thirds, and sew starting at a bottom corner, going up the side, around the point, down the other side.  Don't topstitch the very bottom of purse though.

Top stitch the bottom (short straight side)

Fold, sew up sides and topstitch around peak

Take a ribbon long enough to wind around the purse a few times, and sew just about the peak.  Sew a cute button on top of those stitches and Voila! Vous avez fini!

Add button and ribbon, rickrack, lace etc.

The only problem with this purse is that as a stay at home him, I generally have way too much stuff to carry around. It's fun to make though, and sometime I will use it!