7 Envelope Clutch Pattern Ideas Perfect For a Night On the Town

So far in the Bag Pattern series, we have covered backpacks, duffle bags, crossbody, and handbag patterns. These have all been great patterns, but what if you need a bag for a formal evening out on the town? 

Today’s entry in this series will look at some sleek, modern DIY clutch purses. These patterns are perfect for beginners who want to dabble in handbag construction. Before we check out the patterns I’ve found from other designs, I want to share my free envelope clutch tutorial with you. Let’s do it!

How Do You Make a Clutch Purse?

I came up with this tutorial, especially for beginners, and I hope you love it! You can easily tweak the look of this clutch handbag by using different fabrics and trim. 

Step 1: Select the fabric

The best fabric for a clutch is going to be a thicker fabric. Here is a list of fabrics that would work great for this bag.

• Denim
• Home Decor Canvas
• Corduroy
• Leather
• Suede
• Twill
• Bottom Weight Fabrics (fabrics meant to be used for pants or other bottom apparel pieces.)
• Apparel PVC
• Vinyl
• Wool

Step 2: Cut the pieces

For this example, I will make a 6”x9” clutch. This will be large enough to hold a small card holder, phone, chapstick, or any other small items you might need for an evening. 

I will need to cut the following pieces for my clutch:

• Exterior fabric (home decor canvas): 1- 18 ½”x9 ½” rectangle
• Lining fabric (muslin): 1- 18 ½”x9 ½” rectangle
• Interfacing (Heat ‘n Bond Craft Extra Firm interfacing): 2- 18”x9” rectangles

Next, we need to cut the angles for the flap of our bag. I want my angles to be at 45°. To achieve this, make a small mark in the center of the top edge.

Next, line up the 45° mark with the top edge of the fabric and draw a line. Do the same for the other side.

Cut along each line to create the angles for the bag’s flap.

Cut all four rectangles to prep the fabric and interfacing.

Step 3: Iron-on the interfacing

Interfacing is essential for a project like this because it adds structure to the fabric. Since our clutch will be a stand-alone bag, I want it to be pretty stiff and structured on its own instead of floppy. That’s why we cut two interfacing pieces: one for the exterior and one for the lining fabric.

I recommend using stiff, shirting iron-on interfacing for this project, such as Pellon 950F or Heat ‘n Bond Craft Extra Firm fusible interfacing. It will give you the structure you need without adding a lot of thickness to the fabric.

Follow the instructions on the interfacing to attach it to the fabric.

Step 4: Attach the magnetic closure

Follow the instructions for the closure that you choose. I chose to use a magnetic closure. Here are the instructions I’ve come up with for this magnetic snap style.

• Mark the lining fabric with a pen or marker 3″ from the tip of the flap. This mark is where the “male” part of the magnetic snap will be placed.

• Mark the exterior fabric 3″ from the bottom edge of the body of the bag. This mark is where the “female” part of the magnetic snap will be placed.
• Poke tiny holes where the prongs of the snap pieces need to go through the fabric. Be super careful not to make the holes too big, or the prongs will fit too loosely. 

• Place the washer onto the prongs once you push them through the fabric.

• Use a hammer (or any solid piece of metal or wood) and hammer down the prongs.

• Repeat for the 2nd half of the magnetic closure. 

Step 5: Sew the pieces together

Place the two pieces of the clutch’s right sides (the sides that have the design) together. Start on one of the sides and sew a few stitches, then backstitch.

Continue sewing around the clutch pieces and stop about 2 ½” from your starting stitch. Don’t forget to backstitch at your final stitches too.

Step 6: Turn the clutch right side out

Trim the corners, but make sure you do not cut the stitches. Trimming the corners reduces the bulkiness of the corners when we turn it right side out.

Using the 2 ½” hole we left unsewn, turn the clutch right sides out. Be careful not to rip the stitches.

To turn out the corners properly, use something pointy like a pencil or chopstick and press the corner fabric outward. Make sure you don’t accidentally push the utensil through the stitches.

Press the entire bag with the iron when you finish turning out the clutch. Make sure you press the edges of the 2 ½” hole inside the bag.

Step 7: Topstitch the clutch

Next, we need to create a crisp crease for the body of the clutch. To do this, fold the body of the clutch 6″ and press with your iron. 

Start sewing one of the sides of the clutch about ⅛” from the edge. This is called a “topstitch.” Continue the topstitch around the edge of the clutch. Make sure the raw edges of the 2 ½” hole from Step 5 are secure inside the bag before you stitch them down. 

Step 8: Press the flap.

Our final step is to press a crease into the flap, so it folds easily over the body of the clutch. Line up the magnetic snap pieces and press a crease into the bag. 

Now take a step back and admire your beautiful new handmade clutch handbag! You did it!

7 Envelope Clutch Patterns To Consider For Your Next Project

Now that you checked out my simple clutch tutorial, I want to show you seven more awesome clutch bag pattern ideas that I think you’ll love. Even though a clutch handbag is reasonably straightforward, I tried to find different styles to show you how versatile this type of bag can be. 

1. Gershwin Clutch Bag

Isn’t this clutch handbag ridiculously adorable?! This pattern is from the Etsy shop “charliesaunt.” The designer took inspiration from the 1930s and created this lovely 8”x12 ½” clutch. This pattern includes a list of all necessary materials, step-by-step instructions, and templates.

2. Quilted Leather Envelope Clutch

Here is a fantastic free clutch sewing pattern with a beautiful quilted centerpiece with a soft leather body. This is a well-written free tutorial that has a bunch of photos to help you with each step.

The designer also includes instructions on adding pockets to the handbag if you need extra storage for small items.  This gorgeous envelope clutch purse option would work with so many different outfits and styles. 

3. No-Sew Leather Envelope Clutch

Kate from See Kate Sew has created this free tutorial for making a no-sew clutch handbag. Yep, no sewing is required to make this lovely handbag. She offers a free envelope clutch pattern that you can download and use to cut out the pieces you need. You can use leather or suede to make this modern, boho clutch. 

4. Norma Envelope Clutch

Here is another free clutch pattern and tutorial I found on clevergirl.org. The pattern and tutorial are quite simple, but since it is such a straightforward design, it should be easy for even a beginner to understand and follow.

The size of this clutch is excellent since it is an oversized clutch that you can carry all kinds of things you may need for a day or night out with the girls. 

5. DIY Leather Envelope Clutch

If you are looking for a simple yet modern envelope clutch pattern, this free tutorial from Alice and Lois is a perfect choice! Not only do they have beautiful photography of each step, but they also have easy-to-follow written instructions to make these gorgeous bags. One of these bags would make a wonderful birthday present for your girlfriends, don’t you think?

6. 3 Compartment Purse Bag

This cute little clutch has three separate compartments for you to store your phone, keys, cards, cash, or other items you might need. This small clutch would be great for shopping or running errands.

This free clutch pattern includes photos and a video tutorial to show you how to create this adorable bag. The finished size of the clutch is 7 ½”x4 ¾”.

7. The Flip Clutch Wallet

This pattern offers so much more than just an open pocket to store a few items. The designer includes slots for cards, a zipper pocket for change, a large pocket for a phone, and many other options and alterations to make a bag perfect for you. The final measurements will be approximately 7 ¾”x4 ¾”.

The clutch is a versatile handbag that you can use in so many ways, and I really wanted to highlight that in this post. I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and have fun making your own! If you use my tutorial, feel free to tag me on Instagram @stitchobsessedwithmiriam.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy stitching!