Naughty Notions Clutch is done!

This button will take you to the challenge homepage here you can read the rules and meet the participants.

In case you're new to my blog, I've been co-hosting sewing challenges with my blogging friend Keren from sew la vie.  Our first challenge was the Retro Pillow Challenge, then we did the Solids-Only Tote Challenge, and our current challenge is called Naughty Notions.  The guidelines for this challenge are simple, create a clutch or small purse showcasing sewing notions as your embellishments.

Are you curious about how I made this clutch?  I hope so because I made a little tutorial just for you:

My supplies: Vinyl, wide lace assorted buttons leather studs craft wire, bias tape lining fabric, zipper magnetic snap Mod Podge, velvet ribbon

My tools: ruler, paper clips rotary cutter scissors paint brush sewing machine needle nose pliers big needle

• The first thing I did was cut a perfect rectangle from vinyl.  Then, I took some wide black lace and tacked it on to the right side of the vinyl with a stripe of Mod Podge.  I started with a thin line of 'podge so I could tweak the positioning of my lace until I was sure it was exactly where I wanted it.  
• Next, I saturated the lace with 'podge, avoiding the vinyl, and allowed it to dry.  
• Last, after the 'podge was completely dry, I stitched down the edges of the lace.  

• I trimmed two corners off to form the edge of the flap.  
• I needed to know where the folds would take place so I made some creases with paper clips because you can't iron vinyl.  That gave me some guidelines so I could plan my embellishments and where my magnetic clasp would go.
• I started with attaching a row of buttons to the  space between the laces.  I used my big needle to pierce holes in the vinyl and a fine gauged craft wire to secure the buttons.  I found the wire to be much easier than thread for this project.  I had some petal/leaf-shaped pieces of black suede left over from a previous project, and I attached them to the vinyl with round leather studs.  
• I don't have an in-process photo of it, but I added the female side of my magnetic clasp to the vinyl.  I also ended up putting an additional stud in between each of the buttons.  Ouch!  My fingers were so sore!

I found this pretty turquoise cotton to use for the lining.  I cut it to size and added the male side of the magnetic clasp.  Just like I did in my envelope wristlet tutorial, I got out the Mod Podge and adhered the lining directly to the the wrong side of the vinyl.  As you can imagine, the reverse side of the vinyl was very bumpy and pokey with all the leather studs and twisted wire.  The decoupaging secured and contained all the sharp metal, but the finished surface is far from smooth.  Next time I try this, I'm going to attempt to quilt my lining fabric to a thinner piece of peltx or timtex and nix the Mod Podge.

• While the 'podge was drying, I made a zippered pouch for the interior of my clutch.  I sewed together two lengths of lace as well.
• The lace was sewn onto the back of the zippered pouch to form a mesh-like pocket.
• The pouch and lace pocket were pretty long, so I sewed up the center to create some side-by-side pocket action.

• I clipped the zippered pouch to the sides of the vinyl because you can't pin vinyl.
• I stitched the pouch and trimmed it even even with the vinyl.
• I finished all the edges with a black double folded bias tape.

• Normally I would just stitch up the sides and call it done, but that wasn't going to work with this clutch.  The sweet side-by-side pocket action would have been too cramped to utilize properly.  I needed to add some depth to the clutch for the pockets to be fully appreciated.  And so entered the wide velvet ribbon.
• I stitched in a length of ribbon on each side of the clutch to open up the interior.  
• Then, I was d.o.n.e!!!!!!

The resulting clutch is a mixture of sexy, edgy, and pretty.  I love it!  

I hope you'll visit the challenge homepage and spend some time getting to know the participants.  We have a big group of very crafty and creative people who I'm sure are going to blow us all away with their cool clutches.  Thanks for all your comments!  Double thanks for becoming a follower!

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,

Linking up here:

http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2012/01/pink-hippo-party-64.html
http://www.creationsbykara.com/2012/01/look-what-i-made-link-party-1-25-2011.html
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2012/01/whatever-goes-wednesday-101.html
http://733blog.blogspot.com/2012/01/sugar-spice-95.html
http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2012/01/your-whims-wednesday-43-and-features.html
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/01/wow-me-wednesday-35.html
http://www.thestuffofsuccess.com/2012/01/success-u-wednesday-linkup-party-22.html
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2012/01/inspiration-board-link-party-34.html
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2012/01/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-67.html
http://www.vwbblog.com/2012/01/talent-tuesday-way-cool-linky-party_23.html
http://momommamoney.blogspot.com/2012/01/momomma-monday-link-up.html
http://mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com/2012/01/ta-da-tuesday-link-party-22.html
http://www.thekurtzcorner.com/2012/01/tuesday-tutorials-link-party-no-21.html
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2012/01/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no98.html
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2012/01/inspire-me-monday-good-morning_23.html

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/01/whats-in-gunny-sack-link-party-22.html