a blog full of weldons: {sewing tutorials}

if you have a sewing machine, or one you can borrow...but you're not sure where to start...start with this.

you'll end up with something you can actually use or give as a gift...or as a fun little tote bag for your kids. and you'll learn how to sew straight, put in a zipper, make a wristlet, and how to do those fun little corners at the bottom of real handbags at target. :)

i made these with the boys last week...they choose their own fabric and zipper color...they got to press the "gas" and make the sewing machine go, and i let them choose different stitch settings...they loved it, and have carried these little bags all around the house. adorable.

and who says little boys don't need handbags? :)

oh, and check out what i found inside when i snapped these photos this evening...

the red car bag is rowies, and the tree bag is fosters...

i love to see what they find special on that particular day!

clutch bag tutorial

you'll need:

- rotary cutter, ruler, rotary cutting board - OR - scissors, ruler and a pen

- scrap fabric in 2 coordinating patterns (check out etsy for great deals on designer fabric)

- a 12" zipper (joann fabric has them for $1.79)
- iron and ironing board

- sewing machine

- thread in coordinating colors to your fabric and thread in the same color as your zipper

start by cutting your fabric...
i hate to do anything twice that i can do once :) i'm so lazy!

so, i stack my fabric and make one cut through all the layers. you can do it one at a time if you want :)

you need 2 outside pieces, and 2 inside pieces. they will all be the same size.

i made mine 11 x 8.

next. cut the wristlet pieces...
one wristlet piece in each fabric choice.
again, i layer the fabric on top of each other before i cut.

now, you should have...

next, prep handle...

put right sides together

i usually use the edge of the sewing foot as my guide.

i line up the edge of the fabric with the edge of the foot.

after sewing, iron the newly sewn pieces...

next, sew along open side of wristlet as close to the edge as you can

and you are ready to start on the bag...

attach the zipper to OUTER fabric...
line up one end of your fabric with the pull-end of your zipper (start sewing on the LEFT side of the zipper. see photo below)
be sure to leave approx 1/8" between the edge of the fabric and the zipper. you will later use this space to attach the liner to the bag.
BE SURE TO GO SLOW, and make your spacing the same all the way down the zipper.

next, attach fabric on the other side of the zipper...start on the LEFT side of the zipper, and on the opposite end (the side without the zipper puller)