Welcome to the Stary Sky clutch pattern tutorial. This oversized clutch bag is perfect for nights or days out as it is large enough to fit your purse, phone, some makeup and lots of other goodies.
SUPPLIES
- Leather: 2 rectangular pieces 13×7.5 inches (33x19cm) of light to medium weight leather or faux leather (vinyl). I used a soft faux leather for the body and faux moc-croc leather for the stars. Use leathers that are a bit stiffer for the stars.
- 12 inch (30.5cm) Zipper: If you don’t have the right size, you can shorten your zipper. Don’t forget, zippers are measured along their teeth and not the tape.
- Leather needles: These prevent skipped stitches.
- Teflon sewing machine foot: Leather can be sticky under your foot and a Teflon (non-stick) foot prevents skipped stitches. You can also use a walking foot.
- Thread: Your thread needs to be good quality. Poor quality threads often break when sewing leather.
- Double-sided tape or glue: This will be used to hold the stars and zipper in place before you sew.
- Your stars template: Download the pattern for the stars. (will open in a new tab)
Further Reading: Sewing leather and vinyl, How to measure zippers, types of thread.
Before you Start Sewing
Grab a piece of scrap leather and test your stitching. If you are getting any skipped stitches, check your needle, foot and thread.
Star Clutch Pattern: The Video
Here is a video showing you just how easy this clutch is to sew. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more weekly sewing videos.
>> Press play below
Star Clutch Pattern: Instructions
Step 1: Stars
Draw around the star template on the wrong side of the leather and cut them out. Place your stars on the front of the clutch and use double-sided fabric tape to hold the stars in place. Don’t place any too close to the edges.
If you don’t have any fabric tape, hot glue works well too.
Stitch around the stars. At each point and indent, you will need to lift and pivot the sewing machine needle. Make sure the needle is down when you pivot.
Step 2: Zipper
Use the fabric tape or glue to hold the zipper in place. Just be careful not to place any glue or tape right under where you will be stitching as it can gum up the needle causing skipped stitches.
Stitch along either edge of the zipper. You might have to lift the foot and move the head out of the way if it is large.
Step 3: Fold and Stitch
Open the zipper 1/2 the way across. (This is super important. If you forget you won’t be able to turn your clutch the right way out.)
Fold the clutch in half with right sides together and stitch around the sides and bottom with a 1/4 inch (6mm) seam. Backstitch the ends well but be careful not to go over any metal.
TIP: Use quilting clips or paper clips to hold the edges together as pins can leave marks.
Step 4: Clip and Turn
Clip the corners and turn the clutch the right way out. All ready to decorate!
Embellishment Ideas
- How to make a tassel (You might need to add a small round ring through the zipper head if it is small)
- Making pom poms
- How to make a wrist strap. (Once again add a small round ring to join it to the zipper.)
My cat was obsessed with those tassels! I kept nudging her off the table but in the end, I just let her be in the photo. Does your pet love sewing days too?
Treasurie says
Hi Sher, For the US – http://www.fabric.com look for Dritz brand. In Australia Birch. You can find them in the haberdashery section of fabric shops. Also Ebay, Etsy or Amazon. They are called D rings, Lobster clasps or swivel clips. I got some nice ones in a bundle from Aliexpress in China. Shipping was slow but the quality was good.
Sher Painter says
I love your blog and website! But where can I find the clasp for the wrist band and other items i.e. jump ring, clasps, hooks, etc. Thank you so much!!
Sher