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Today’s Tutorial: Placemat Clutches

August 30, 2009 by Jessica 48 Comments

Here is a tutorial to make the placemat clutch. I provide a few different options for working with different shapes of placemats. Have fun! These are great simple and easy gifts to make for yourself or someone else.

<span class=

What you need:

–Placemat

–Plastic Canvas (found near the thread/yarn sections in craft stores)

–A piece of felt or other fabric (to cover the piece of plastic canvas in the bottom)

–Velcro, snaps, a vintage pin, etc. (Something to use for keeping the clutch closed)

–Optional: Glue

–And of course, all the things you need to sew and cut 🙂

Let’s first go over how to cut the placemats. The first example will be with a quilted oval shaped one:

1.An oval quilted <span class=

Get your placemat

2.Fold in half to find where you want it to fold over

Fold it in half to determine where you want to cut for the “body” of the clutch.

3.Cut off side Folded

Cut off on one end where you chose.

4.Serge or V-<span class=

Serge the edge or just do a v-stitch across to secure the layers of material.

This next cutting option is for a circular placemat:

1.A Circular <span class=

Get your placemat

2.Fold in half

Fold it in half

3.Cut down sides to made them <span class=

Cut off the edges of one side. These will be the sides of the clutch.

4.Cut off one end to create a piece for the clutch

This is what it will look like.



A Rectangular Placemat:


If you have a rectangular one, you don’t have to cut it at all. I just folded the corners in at one end and sewed them in place like this one:

Made from rectangular <span class=

You could cut it and just serge or V-stitch the edge if you like. Or you could make a flat clutch like this:

Made from rectangular <span class=

Just fold up one end to be the “body” of the clutch and sew up the sides. (I added some ruffles) All done!

Now for the sewing. To create the boxed bottom corners:

Pin together, right sides facing

1. Pin sides together right sides facing. Bring the cut off edge to where you like.

Leave about 1.5&quot; <span class=

2. Sew down the sides, just leave about an 1.5″ opening at the bottom (you could do bigger if you want; the bigger the amount left, the larger the bottom of the purse will be.

Push bottom middle to where it's sewed Making the bottom

3. You are going to take the bottom of the opening on the bottom and put the middle up to where you just sewed. See above pictures. This will create the box corners.

Might have to fold sides over

(Hint: You might have to lay the sides down like this when you sew if they are giving you problems. If not, just lay them to one side).

Sewing it

4. Sew straight across the bottom (the straight part you just created).

After sewing corners Trim off access material

5. It will look like the first picture. Then trim the edges. You could finish it off if you like (serge or V-stitch).

Turn right side out The outside corners

6. Turn right side out. You will now have a box bottom for your clutch.

Creating the plastic canvas insert:

Measure bottom width

1. Measure how wide the bottom of your clutch is. It should be the same length of the opening you left at the bottom (Ex: 1.5″)

Measure bottom length

2. Measure how long your clutch is.

This is plastic canvas

3. Get your plastic canvas (available in craft stores near needlework/thread/yarn stuff).

Cut out the size of what you just measured.

Make big enough to fold all corners over

4. Cut a piece of felt or fabric that is bigger than the piece of plastic canvas you just cut. You are going to sew it on.

Pin end sides down

5. Start by pinning the felt on the short sides first. Sew them on. ***PLEASE NOTE: USE A HEAVY DUTY NEEDLE JUST IN CASE IT HITS PLASTIC AND USE A LARGE STITCH. GOING SLOW TO WILL PREVENT MISHAPS. If you are worried about doing this, you could just glue it on, or hand stitch it on.)

the back

6. Now fold the long felt sides over and sew them on.

The top

(Picture of the top)

Glued in

7. Glue it in. I used fabric glue. You could sew it on, or if you are really ambitious, cover the whole piece of plastic canvas and make it removable.



Keeping it closed:

Snaps

Being the lazy crafter I can be, I just glued snaps on for it to be closed. I covered the top one with a piece of felt with a hole in it. You could sew these on as well, or you could use Velcro, or just use a vintage pin to keep it shut (see below).

Made from oval quilted <span class=

Now I just have to figure out who will get which 😉

Happy Sewing!

Thinking

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Filed Under: christmas present idea, how to, purse

Comments

  1. Heather - CROQZine.com - Dollarstorecrafts.com says

    August 30, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Cute, thanks for sharing ways to make each shape work. I am curious to see how the round one turned out (or was it a craft fail?? 🙂 ) I’ll post about this at Dollar Store Crafts in a week or so. You are awesome!

    Reply
  2. Happy Together says

    August 30, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    “I am curious to see how the round one turned out (or was it a craft fail?? :)”

    lol. It kind of was a craft fail, but only because the placemat was made out of nonfabric stuff (basket like). Each round was sewn together, and when I cut it, they just kept coming undone. I could try and glue the rows together and make it work, but I figured it wasn’t worth it. I def would have finished it had it been fabric. Oh well. Live and learn, right? 🙂

    Reply
  3. Ashley says

    August 30, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    LOVE this.

    Reply
  4. Laura Gerencser says

    August 30, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    Love these!! I’ve made a couple clutches recently, and love them! They’re so easy! And cute! And I love that you used a place mat! Perfect for those lone ones you find at the thrift store!!:)

    Reply
  5. Julie @ Little One-of-a-Kind Design says

    August 30, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    the purple one is still the cutest! the quilted mats make for a cute clutch!

    Reply
  6. Renanda says

    August 30, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    Thanks so much! I can’t wait to try one of these.

    Reply
  7. Su says

    August 30, 2009 at 11:03 pm

    Pretty! They are all so very pretty… very nice tutorial

    Reply
  8. Molly says

    August 31, 2009 at 12:10 am

    I am terrified of sewing but I may have to be brave just so I can try this. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Pickled Weasel says

    August 31, 2009 at 3:39 am

    Thanks for the tutorial, it’s a great little project.

    Reply
  10. BJ_Mama says

    August 31, 2009 at 3:41 am

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Now I have some great ideas for Christmas…You’re AWESOME!

    Reply
  11. Lois Grebowski says

    August 31, 2009 at 8:21 am

    I’m de-lurking to to say that I’ll take the orange one! Bwahahahahahaaha!
    :-D)

    Thanks for posting this tutorial!

    Reply
  12. About Me says

    August 31, 2009 at 9:27 am

    Awesome Tutorial Jessica!! I am going to have to try this one too! =) Thanks!! How much are yours?…I love them!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    August 31, 2009 at 10:40 am

    supeeeeer
    my name is arzu

    Reply
  14. Nifty Thrifty says

    August 31, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    Tis is absolutely flippin brilliant x Have you thought about approaching a publisher with your fabulous ideas?

    Reply
  15. Megan says

    August 31, 2009 at 3:39 pm

    awesome tutorial! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  16. EvY___aLeXaNdRra says

    August 31, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    great tutorial…love the purple clutch..thanx for sharing

    Reply
  17. julie says

    August 31, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    i just recently found your blog and love it! and that petal backpack! too sweet! i will be going to the dollar store tomorrow! i live in jacksonville too! small world! i just started a blog and would love for you to stop by! i look forward to looking through your blog! thanks!

    julie@jam-n-jilly.blogspot.com

    Reply
  18. Jen says

    August 31, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    I. LOVE. YOUR. BLOG! Thank you so much for sharing all your fabulous creations! You inspire me. I found your blog about a week ago and have already done 4 of your tutorials…I’m totally addicted!

    Reply
  19. Ashlee says

    August 31, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    You are amazing!!!! Love it!

    Reply
  20. casserole says

    September 1, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Awesome tutorial!! I posted a link on Craft Gossip Sewing:

    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-clutch-purse-from-a-placemat/2009/09/01/

    –Anne

    Reply
  21. Laura says

    September 1, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    I have made purses with placemats (ribbon as handles) but never thought of clutches. You are awesome. I so love it!

    Reply
  22. Rachel@oneprettything.com says

    September 1, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    This is SOOOO fabulous! I’ve been wanting a jewel toned fabric clutch for fall. Now I just need to find the perfect placemat. You’re a rockstar! I’ll be linking.

    Reply
  23. michellejohnnie says

    September 1, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    great and so cute. Featured at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. The Mangerchine's says

    September 1, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    Wow, awesome!!!

    Your hair, clothes and makeup always look amazing in your pictures!!!! Can you do a tutorial for how you get your hair into that amazing updo?

    Shannon

    Reply
  25. Tiffani says

    September 1, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    LOVE this!

    Reply
  26. DV-Becca says

    September 2, 2009 at 12:05 am

    You are amazing!

    Reply
  27. PinkBalloons&Macaroons says

    September 3, 2009 at 12:24 am

    So cool!!! Can’t wait to try it!! Thanks soo much for the tutorial!! Hope you have a great night! Hugs!! Britt 🙂

    Reply
  28. Kari says

    September 3, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Love this tutorial! It’s on my list and you inspired me to use a cute placemat I found at Target the other day to make a friend’s daughter a purse (not nearly as clever as your clutch, of course). Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂

    Reply
  29. Amy says

    September 16, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    saw this on dollar store crafts- so cute!

    I’ll have to keep my eye out for cute placemats!

    Reply
  30. Aicha! says

    September 17, 2009 at 7:15 am

    Wow! It’s amazing 🙂 I like it and i’m gonna try it. Thanks !

    Reply
  31. Ece Nur'un Annesi "Mine" says

    September 17, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    wow !!! It is amazing ! very buity good =)
    Are you look our blog ?
    we are wait !!!

    Reply
  32. Larissa Wardrip says

    September 17, 2009 at 9:03 pm

    Hi Jessica!

    I just made a couple of these yesterday! Feel free to take a look at how they came out!

    http://fortheloveof-craft.blogspot.com/2009/09/pretty-clutches.html

    Reply
  33. SJL says

    September 20, 2009 at 11:14 am

    The clutch idea is so much easier than what I’ve done in the past. Absolutely genius.

    Thanks,
    Sylvia L.

    Reply
  34. Jocy Xiong says

    September 25, 2009 at 11:34 pm

    This is cool! I will definately try this!! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  35. CRAFTS FROM THE HEART says

    September 27, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Ha Ha
    And I thought I was the only one that turned placemats into clutches. Wonderful ideas.

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says

    November 19, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    I am making these for my bridesmaids! I think it is a great gift and you can fill them with bridesmaid essentials! I love them! Thanks for all your great ideas!
    Vanessa, Illinois

    Reply
  37. Mrs. E says

    December 20, 2009 at 10:38 am

    I went ahead and tried this one too.

    Reply
  38. İğne İle İplik says

    January 31, 2010 at 8:46 am

    Awesome;)

    Reply
  39. Yolanda @ Miss Refashionista says

    April 25, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    WOW!!! I knwo this is an old post but I just came across this tutorial.

    You are absolutely amazing!!

    🙂

    I’m just saying!

    Reply
  40. cupcake christy says

    June 1, 2011 at 7:00 am

    Where did you find the placemats??

    Reply
  41. Happy Together says

    June 1, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    “Where did you find the placemats??”

    I found mine on clearance at a Dillard’s.

    Reply
  42. Krysta says

    November 16, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    Hi! I saw this a couple of days ago and I LOVE the idea. I went out today and found a fun placemat. It green on one side and striped on the other. So the inside is going to be slightly different. 🙂 Also I bought a cocktail ring that will look awesome as an accent. Thank for the inspiration and tutorial. I’ve been in a sewing/crafty mood but couldn’t think of what to make.

    Reply
  43. Tsetsgee says

    February 18, 2012 at 10:14 am

    Great Tutorial. Thank you for your sharing.

    Reply
  44. TB says

    March 14, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Love this =)
    thanks for your sharing =)
    TB

    http://madebyheartbytb.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  45. Anonymous says

    August 9, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    I’m having trouble finding a quilted oval placemat….any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Happy Together says

      August 12, 2012 at 8:26 pm

      Hmm…I would suggest checking out the department stores like JCPenney, Dillards, etc. Maybe even TJ Maxx kind of stores. That’s where I found mine. You might even find one at the Dollar Store. Hope you are able to find what you need 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tutorial Time Out - EverythingEtsy.com says:
    July 18, 2014 at 11:33 am

    […] Happy Together has a tutorial on making a placemat clutch! That’s right, those are placemats in the photo. What a creative idea! […]

    Reply
  2. Cute Things You Can Make From Placemats — A Cultivated Nest says:
    August 1, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    […] Another cute gift idea is to make a clutch from a placemat – from Happy Together […]

    Reply

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photo(125) Welcome to my blog Happy Together. My name is Jessica Fediw and this is where I share my adventures in life, crafting, and more. Thanks for stopping by!

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I have this idea for Valentines decor on our mantl I have this idea for Valentines decor on our mantle and these fun confetti hearts I made are going to be a part of it. You can find a tutorial to make your own from @amanda_evanston . A few of the items I used in mine were: shredded Anthropologie shopping bag (and cut up the fabric handle too), cut up newspaper, hole punched card stock, fringe from yarn, cut up gold circle confetti, crinkled gift filler paper, etc... It was fun using all kinds of random things 😊
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