Smocked Clutch for The Purse Week Contest

I entered my clutch in the Purse Week Contest hosted by Lemon Squeezy. This is a larger version of the clutch that I made before. I added the pics on the very last day of the contest as it took me quite some time to sew this clutch. When all is done I had a really big *grin*.

The design & size of the clutch pretty much depends on the smoking. I worked on the smocking first before changing the size & shape of the clutch. Beads are sewn on the smocked flap & strap. I added a strap so it can be swing joyfully :). I bet a hippie chick would love to own this clutch.

The finished size for this clutch is 15"(length), 8"(height), 8"(opening & flap) & 5"(strap).

Christie will be announcing the top 10 Purse Entries on Tuesday morning &  winners announced on Friday afternoon! Good Luck to all that have joined the contest. The prizes are so wonderful....really generous of the sponsors. Thanks Christie for hosting a fun contest :D

Here's more of the hippie smocked clutch...

Just to let you know that this clutch is for sale. If you're interested, drop me an email.( needlefield@yahoo.com )
The smaller version clutch is not for sale cause I'm keeping it :).

*Have a jolly fun day gals.*

Hot Smocking Clutch

Here's the finished look of the smocked clutch, posing happily under the morning sun. Do you fancy it?

I added clear plastic button for the flap closure. The overall size for this clutch is 11" wide X 7" high. The flap's width is 6" long. It's quite a roomy clutch to stash your wallet & hand phone.

I have to say that the clutch looks much better when it is full with things. I only added lightweight interfacing to the lining fabric, so this clutch is really lightweight.

Here's more pics of the clutch...

Inside out look of the clutch.

I'm really happy & satisfied with the finished look that I gave myself a pat on the back :). Sorry for the picture overdose...I got too excited while snapping the photos & ended up with more than 40 snap shots of it :P

I learned how to make the gathered rose from Better Homes and Gardens magazine - 100 decorating ideas under $100 (Fall 2009 issue). 

Happy crafting.

Just Bead It!

Remember the smocking that I did on my clutch? I made it last February and left it unfinished in my sewing bag. I thought of adding some embroidery work to the smocking but later decided to sew beads on each corner of the squares.

I only add beads on the smocked area. The smocking alone makes the design looks empty, so adding the beads or sewing some embroidery work would be necessary. Now I have to sew all the parts together to make a clutch before it rots in my sewing bag! Haha...

I'll post the finished work later. :)

Learn how to make this type of smocking here

Smocking Tutorial

This Ondori Smocking book owned by my mom has lots of wonderful, chick looking bags, dresses and blouse. I thought of making one myself and chose the easiest smocking pattern : ) to adorn a clutch that I'm going to make.

 

To make the clutch, I cut a lightweight cotton fabric twice as much as the finished measurement.

The smocking pattern is a Canadian type of smocking. I don't know what it's called because the book only describes it as 'variation of smocking'. I guess I just name it 'ketupat' smocking.

This type of smocking is quite easy to make. You can skip drawing the grid lines if you use gingham, polka dots or stripes pattern fabric.

 

 The design is based on this cushion cover smocking pattern.

Follow these steps:

 

Mark the back side of the fabric by drawing grid lines or grid points with the size of squares that you want.

* The finished smocked squares will be the same size as the drawn grid squares.

You can make a 'saw-toothed cardboard' to mark the fabric. Draw and cut out a saw-toothed cardboard. Place the cardboard on the fabric and mark points at the tops and bottoms of the indents using a pencil or marker.

Insert the needle on the wrong side of the fabric starting at no.1 and scoop the four dots from no. 2 to no. 7. Insert the needle at no. 8 and pull the thread.

The front side of fabric looks like this.

Fasten the thread tightly by making a knot with the other end of the thread.

The front side looks like this after pulling the thread.

Continue smocking the rest of the squares till finish.

Lets get smocking!