How to Make This Pretty Pink Clutch

October 17th, 2008 in sewing, fashion, gifts, quilting     

“Pinking” refers to the process of cutting a zigzag edge. Pink, the color, traces its origins to carnations, pink flowers that have serrated edges and are sometimes called “pinks.” There must be a connection! However, if etymology isn’t reason enough to pink the edges of the ruffles on my little pink clutch bag, the end result certainly is—a slightly feathered edge that’s neatly frayed and unlikely to ravel any further.

The ruffles need to be cut on the bias so they can be shaped over the curved edges of the bag. But bias edges are not inclined to fray. When pinked, however, raveling occurs along the edges of those tiny wedges. Of course, you’ll get different results with different fabrics. This purse is made from silk shantung that I purchased in the home dec department.

To make this purse you’ll need:

• 1/2 yard main fabric
  
• 1/4 yard lining fabric
  
• 1/2 yard lightweight fusible interfacing
  
• Small piece of quilt batting
  
• Small piece of stiffening material like Timtex or cardboard.
  
• A magnetic snap
  
• Beads (optional)
  
• Pinking shears or pinking rotary cutting blade

1. Make a paper pattern following the dimensions below, and cut out the bag sections according to the pattern sketch. (Lining, interfacing, batting, and stiffening layouts are not shown.) Be sure to cut two of the main fabric purse top (A) sections slightly larger to allow for the quilting. The number of bias strips (D) shown is an approximation. You will need enough 1-1/2-inch-wide strips to equal three times the length of the curved edge of the purse top (A) times two, and three times the curved edge of the purse bag (B). Cut the strips with pinking shears or a rotary cutter outfitted with a pinking blade and piece together as needed.

Use this sketch as a guide to make your pattern, then cut the required pieces.

A rotary cutter and a pinking blade make for easy cutting.

2. Lay the batting on two of the purse top sections and machine-quilt as desired. Press. Trim away excess using the pattern as a guide.

Trim the quilted sections using pattern section A as a guide.

3. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the remaining purse top sections.

Quilt two top sections and interface the remaining two.

4. With right sides together, seam enough bias strips for each purse top section (A). Fold in half, wrong sides together, and press. Sew a row of long gathering stitches about 1/4 inch from the fold and the length of the strip. Pull up the bobbin thread to gather.

Connect the short bias strips to make one long strip.

Fold the bias strips together lengthwise and sew gathering stitches along fold.

 

Gather the bias ruffles by pulling up on the bobbin thread.

5. Pin the strip to the curved edge of both top sections, matching the fold edge of the strip to the raw edge of the top. Distribute gathers evenly and machine-baste in place.

Distribute the bias ruffle evenly along the curved edge of each quilted top.

6. Insert a magnetic strip into the remaining interfaced purse top sections according to package instructions.

Insert the magnetic strip according to the package instructions.

7. Pin the snap section to the quilted section with right sides together and the ruffle sandwiched between. Sew using the basting stitches as a guide. Turn right side out and press.

Sew the interfaced top sections to the quilted sections.

8. Insert the stiffening material and baste the long opening edges together.

Cut the stiffening according to the pattern, insert in the finished top, and baste the long edge together.

9. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of each section B—main fabric and lining.
10. Sew the main fabric B sections, right sides together, along the curved edge with a 1/2-inch seam. Shape the pleats and baste in place.

Sew the purse bag sections together and shape the pleats.

11. Pin the A sections to the purse bag, right sides together, and machine-baste.

Pin and baste each finished top section to the finished bag section.

12. Sew the lining B sections, right sides together, leaving a 5- to 6-inch opening at the bottom. Stitch 1/4 inch away from the first stitching and trim.

Sew the lining sections together, leaving an opening at the bottom.

13. Set the basted bag into the lining. Make two large pleats on each side of the lining so all edges match. Pin and sew everything together with a 1/2-inch seam.

Set the bag into the lining.

Make large pleats in the lining to fit and sew it all together.

14. Pull the bag to the right side through the lining’s opening.

Through the opening in the lining, pull the bag to the right side.

15. Press in the seam allowances of the opening and stitch closed along the folds.

Close the opening in the lining by sewing along the folds.

16. Hand-sew beads to the purse top as desired.

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