From Purse to Clutch

I have been loving all the photos surfing around the web with clutches. From the envelope and fold over to clasp and magnetic. But I'm not one to spending tons of money on things like this. So I've been looking out for a clutch that is sturdy, neutral, and medium sized so my wallet, cell phone, chap stick, and keys can be inside.

But I was striking out! The stores I looked didn't have what I wanted. The websites I looked on had the kind I wanted but they were way WAY too much out of my budget. So I decided to make it a DIY. I love DIY projects since I always get what I'm looking for.

So I needed to start out finding the purses with "potential". You know.... those items that a "Refashioner" can see past the current state and see what that item could be. :) And here are my babies I found at my local thrift shop.

 Neiman Marcus denim bag with a cracked and peeling handle. This Neiman Marcus isn't real since it was made in China so I didn't mind cutting it up

And a black leather backpack that has tons of zippers and clasps. Both bags were in good shape for what I was wanting them for. And for $1 each I couldn't pass up these steals. So my total project is costing me $2! Perfect for my budget :)

 Since I'm making a clutch out of the denim bag I started by cutting the heck out of it. Every seam was ripped. Those handles were tossed. 

And when I got to the "bones" of the bag I seen how dirty it was. So this needed a dusting and cleaning. Plus with all the loose threads I trimmed them back so when I do sew it back together it will have a smooth finish.

Once the denim bag was all gutted and cleaned I moved onto the black backpack. I didn't need much from it. All I wanted was the leather zipper but like I said this bag had tons of zippers and hardware 

So after I cut what I needed I gutted this bag too. This time I took out all the zippers, clasps, D-rings, key rings, etc. Everything that I know I would reuse I cut. So for the $1 it cost me for this bag  I got myself a nice stash of DIY pieces.

After I was done killing this poor purse I trashed it. And went back to the 1 piece I originally wanted. This loverly metal zipper.

Now it's time to SEW!

I tossed the brown bottom. Trimmed the edges of the bag since there was access fabric from the side panels of the purse. 

Then it flipped it inside out and pinned it like crazy to join these two piece together. 

I sewed a straight line then "surged" it. Nothing fancy; mostly since I don't know how.  

Next add that wonderful zipper. 

I decided to keep the original mesh lining. This way to keep my things nice and to protect the outer lining. But I wanted to reenforce the bottom of the clutch since 99% of the times my keys will rip a hole in my purse linings. This leading me to go fishing for my keys, coins, phone, or whatever  in between my inner and outer lining. So to avoid this event all together I added a piece of denim fabric that were in my straps to the bottom of the mesh liner. So whatever I might throw inside will have a thick layer of fabric to rest on.

After everything is sewed, which is easy to do since there are only straight lines being done, I was finished with my new denim Neiman Marcus knock-off clutch. I just love this clutch! 

I added a little tab to one side to my clumsy fingers will find the zipper tab easier (plus it hides where I gathers the zipper and forgot to sew it to have an invisible look) But I like it. It adds a certain charm to my new clutch. Now to go out on a date with my husband so I can use my new clutch.

So here's to my $2 purse to clutch refashion. :)