The Fan Girl Autograph Zipper Clutch

Ingrid Willis, head of Blaze Productions and chairwoman for Bouchercon 2014 and Left Coast Crime 2016, is here on the playground today to show us how to make these fabulous fan girl autograph clutches, with zippers at the top. And if you comment at the end, you'll be entered for our giveaway for the clutch above signed by one of our favorite authors, JA Jance (US residents only).

SUPPLIES:

½ yard Exterior Fabric (should be a medium to heavier fabric - make it a light color if you want to get it signed.)

¼ yard Interior Fabric for lining (this can be lighter material such as for quilting)

¼ yard #808 Pelloncraft Fusible Interfacing

1 – 9” zipper

Thread

Sewing Machine

Straight Pins

Iron & Ironing Board

CUT:

2 pieces for body (exterior fabric) – 10” x 6” 

2 pieces for lining (interior fabric) – 10” x 6”

2 pieces of interfacing – 10” x 6” 

1 piece for strap (exterior fabric) – 14.5” x 3.5”

The first thing we need to do is attach the interfacing to the exterior body pieces. To do this lay one piece of interfacing (shiny side up) on the ironing board, put one of the exterior body pieces (right side up) on top of the interfacing. Following the interface instructions, press the fabric and fuse them together. Repeat with the other exterior body piece. 

Now fold one long edge of each of the exterior body pieces down about ½” (including the interfacing) and press. Also press one edge down ½” on each of the interior lining pieces. 

Take your strap piece and fold it in half lengthwise.

Iron it, then open it up so there’s a crease down the center. Now take each side and fold it inward toward the center crease and press.

 Fold again down the original crease to finish strap and press. 

To sew the strap, sew close along the edge to close the opening; then sew down the other side, again close to the edge to match the other side.

Set aside.

Now we’ll install the sipper. Place the zipper with the pull side down (and on the left) and lay the fold of one of your interior pieces (right side up) on top and stitch. When you get about one inch from the end, stop sewing and with the needle down, raise the sewing machine foot and open the zipper past where you’ve sewn. Put the foot back down and continue sewing to the end. It should look like this. 

Before sewing the other side, keep the zipper pulled down a few inches. Start to sew the interior fabric until you can close the zipper. Leaving the needle down, close the zipper and finish sewing. 

Now, turn the zipper over with the pull on the left side (and closed). Lay an exterior piece (right side up) with folded edge right along the zipper edge.

Sew along the edge. Remember to pull the zipper down once you get about one inch from the end. 

Now sew the other side. Again, remember to keep the zipper pulled down when you start (like you did with the interior lining) and sew until you can close the zipper. Once again, leaving the needle down, close the zipper and finish sewing. 

With the zipper installed now we just have to sew the edges. First, fold the strap in half and lay it on top of the exterior bag letting about ½” stick out. 

With the strap on the inside, pin the exterior pieces right sides together (with interface side out). Leave the lining free. When you pin be sure the top parts of the zipper are even. With the zipper pulled down a few inches, sew around the three sides.

It should look like this. 

Now we’ll sew the inside of the bag. Be sure the zipper is open a few inches. Pin the lining together, again make sure the top parts of the zipper are even. Sew the sides leaving about a three inch opening at the bottom so you can turn the bag right side out. Trim the edges and corners so they won’t be so bulky. 

Pull the entire bag through the hole. Use a wooden spoon to push out the corners. Open the zipper and pull the lining out. Press the lining, then sew opening closed. 

Put the lining back in the bag. Iron the clutch and… Viola! 

You have yourself a new zippered clutch. Enjoy!