Pintuck Clutch

The clean lines of this pintuck clutch will lend simple sophistication to your wardrobe. Roomy and fully lined, it is both functional and elegant. The magnetic snap closure keeps your belongings secured, while the fold-over style adds an interesting design detail. A technique often seen in tuxedo shirts, the pintuck is basically a knife pleat stitched down, so that the fabric is folded in small folds in the same direction and stitched in place, one fold at a time. This technique will add a crisp, defined look to anyproject.
Options
You can make a nice evening bag in a washed silk or linen, but if you plan to use lighter-weight fabrics, be sure to add interfacing and provide reinforcement for themagnetic fastener. Once youve learned pintucks, try using them on pillows, window shades, blankets, clothing, or anything else you can imagine.

supplies
1 yd/1 m twill Heavy-weight fusible interfacing or patch Fabric marker Matching thread "/2-cm magnetic fastener Chopstick Seam allowance: "/12 mm
NOTE: This bag will be self-lined, so all of the outer and lining pieces will be cut from the same fabric. A fusible patch is helpful to use for reinforcement behind the magnetic fastener, but a small piece of heavyweight fusible interfacing will work as well.

Multiply your skills:

pintuck pleats, magnetic fastener (see how-to), lined clutch pattern

Finished dimensions:

11" x 7"/28 cm x 18 cm (folded)

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Step 1: Cut fabric.

Start folding at the top line, 2"/5 cm from the top.

Cut the fabric according to the following dimensions: Lining twill: 12" x 16"/30.5 cm x 40.5 cm (cut 2) Outer twill back: 12" x 16"/30.5 cm x 40.5 cm Outer twill front: 12" x 24"/30.5 cm x 60 cm Fusible interfacing or patch: 2" x 2"/5 cm x 5 cm (cut 2)
Step 2: Mark pintuck lines.
2"/5 cm 2"/5 cm 6"/15 cm

6"/15 cm 2"/5 cm Draw 10 lines 1"/2.5 cm apart.

On the right side of the longer fabric piece, begin marking the lines for the pintucks with a fabric marker and a ruler. Starting 2"/5 cm from the top, mark every 1"/2.5 cm until you have made 10 lines in all. See figure A.
Step 3: Sew pintucks.

fig. A

fig. B

At the top marked line, as shown in figure A, fold the fabric and press. The folded edge should be on the right side of the fabric. Sew a straight stitch "/6 mm from the folded edge. Then press this pleat up toward the top of the fabric. Repeat until you have sewn all 10 pintucks. Trim this piece of fabric, if needed, so that it is exactly 12" x 16"/30.5cm x 40.5 cm, matching the other fabricpieces.
Step 4: Attach magnetic fastener.

5"/12 cm opening

fig. C

fig. D

On the right side of a 12-x-16"/30.5-cm-x-40.5-cm piece of fabric (not the piece with the pintucks), mark 2"/5 cm from the top and 2"/5 cm from the bottom in the center, 6"/15 cm from either edge, as shown in figure B. Follow the how-to instructions on the next page for attaching a magnetic fastener.

fig. E

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Step 5: Sew lining and outer bag.

Pin the two remaining 12"-x-16"/30.5-cm-x-40.5-cm pieces of fabric right sides together and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving a 5"/12.5-cm opening in the bottom to turn the bag right sides out in step 7. See figure C. Next, pin the two outer pieces right sides together. Sew around the sides and bottom, but this time do not leave an opening at the bottom. See figureD. With both the lining and outer bags, trim any excess fabric, clip the corners, and press the seamsopen.
Step 6: Sew bag together.

How-to: Install a Magnetic Fastener

Magnetic fasteners are a quick and easy way to add a closure to a bag or purse. A fusible patch or a piece of fusible interfacing pressed onto the back of your fabric will add stability to the magnetic fastener. Your fastener will come with two magnetic sides with prongs and small metal pieces to secure front pieces. Be sure to read the instructions that come with your magnetic fastener for further clarification.

Turn the lining right sides out and tuck it inside the outer fabric bag (still wrong sides out), so that the right sides are facing one another. Align the side seams and pin the raw edges together. Sew around the top, as shown in figure E.
Step 7: Turn right sides out andtopstitch.

1 With a ruler and fabric marker, mark the location for

both sides of the magnetic fastener.

2 Press the fusible interfacing or patch on the wrong

side of the fabric under your marks.

Turn the bag right sides out through the opening in the lining, gently pushing out all the corners with the chopstick. Topstitch to close the lining and push the lining back into the bag. Press flat.

3 With one side of the magnetic fastener, center the

prongs on your mark and make additional marks for each prong.

4 With a pair of small sharp scissors, carefully cut

tiny slits in the fabric and interfacing, then insert the prongs into the right side of the fabric.

5 From the back side, slide the metal backing on and

press the prongs closed. Repeat the process for the other side of the fastener.
ABLE AIL V A W NO

1, 2, 3 Sew
Build Your Skills with 33 Simple Projects Bags, Accessories, Home Accents, and More by Ellen Luckett Baker

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