Upholstery Clutch Bags

Back in January this year, I made a clutch bag for the QLD Flood Disaster Appeal. The buttercup bag pattern I obtained from the clever Made by Rae, with her easy to use tutorial. I've just completed two more clutch bags using the same pattern.

Both of these bags are actually made with upholstery fabric I purchased on different op shop visits. I am particularly fond of the brocade material. I like the fact that upholstery fabric need not just be used for furniture! The lining used for both bags is also thrift purchased fabric. They are gifts for my relatives. Photos do not really do brocade bag justice, it looks better in the 'flesh'

Lining in brocade bag

I got some labels made up some time ago from an eBay seller, under my Recycled Fashion blog name. I'm not selling anything I make as yet, but I wanted to brand my handmade items which give much more of a professional finish I think?

I added a hand strap to both bags, which is not part of the pattern. Also a flap for the magnetic clasp for the green upholstery fabric bag.





Both bags are being shipped to their new owners in the UK sometime this week.

Bag with removable brooch

A gift for my friends birthday...

I used the same pattern (Made by Rae) as the previous clutch bag I made, which was auctioned for Queensland's Premier Flood Relief Appeal (end auction $33). Although this time I used two alternative pieces of fabric, including a floral print for the band accross the top. I also included a wrist band and flower brooch which can be removed.


All materials are used from my fabric stash, and the black interior jersey material was actually a t-shirt in a former life. The only new item I had to purchase to complete this bag, was the magnetic closure clasp.



The flower is a removable brooch, which I created using an old vintage tissue pattern I purchased from Mornington's Outlook Environmental Recycle Market.



Inspiration to create the brooch came from Miss P..., she blogged about EAB designs vintage pattern tissue flowers. I followed instructions by cutting two long strips of pattern tissue paper using pinking shears for a zig-zag edge finish, gathered using a basting stitch all the way through, and used the same floral fabric as the band on the bag for the brooch center. The little beads and ribbon were given to me by Mum; previously decorations from a christmas cracker (Mum is great at keeping craft stuff like this for me!) I cut a circle of felt, and used a safety pin for the back:

Because the brooch is made with paper, it would not be good to get wet, therefore I thought it would be best that I allowed it to be removed, and that way, it could also be worn as a brooch on items of clothing too:




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Handmade Clutch Bag Auction for Flood Appeal

I made a clutch bag today, of which I am auctioning on my other blog for the QLD Flood Disaster Appeal. Check out Recycled Fashion for more details. Thanks a lot x