DIY Leather Clutch

While browsing Netflix, I came across a reality series called All On The Line which highlights struggling designers and their journey to get their brand in major department stores.  While viewing, it brought to light the fact we as consumers are severely overpaying for fashion, something I already knew but had no idea the extent of the pillaging.  The bulk of the cost is manufacturing which a line producing a whole collection will incur a hefty bill which in addition to a nice profit margin is passed to the consumer.  After the show, I wanted to see If I could attempt to make a higher end item for pennies on the dollar.  The first thing that came to mind was my love of clutches and exotic skins.  Doing research for a DIY clutch online only resulted in lots of either cloth clutches or faux leather envelope clutches which would not cut it.  Annoyed, I sketched out a few designs resembling chicken scratch, made a pattern, ordered leather hides and python hides, visited a leather factory for bag making supplies and started sewing.  The bag I’m showing today is a python print leather with a silk lining.  I so look forward to carrying this.

Tools needed:
Leather 22.5 inches long and 14 inches wide
scissors
color pencil
ruler
Canvas (used for structure) 22.5 inches long and 14 inches wide
Silk fabric 22.5 inches long and 14 inches wide
6 pieces of 8.5×11 paper
Tape
Pens
Rotary cutter
Hand sewing punch
Needle
Sewing machine or waxed thread if hand sewing
Wooden Mallet

Either use a very large piece of construction paper or tape together 6 pieces of 8.5 x 11

Using a acto L shaped ruler measure on your pattern 18″ long and 14″ wide and 4.5″ long for the flap and cut out the pattern.

Pin the leather to the pattern and cut out.  Using the same pattern, do the same for the canvas and the lining.

Sew the canvas and the lining together on the wrong side of the fabric, trim close to the stitching then turn right side out.

Line the canvas, lining and leather up together, fold them at 9″ leaving a 4.5″ flap.  Sew the canvas and lining to the leather.

Using the rotary cutter, trim the edges to the stitching.

Using the mallet, beat the stitches until flat and blended.

Using excess leather, create a bias on the flap to conceal raw edge and create a lip.

Due to leather being difficult to penetrate with a needle, use the sewing punch to punch holes in the leather and slip stitch for a neat closure.

Slip Stitch the bias to the lining under the flap to conceal the raw edges and create a seamless front flap.

What’s not shown in the images is a inside pocket made with the silk fabric.