MAKE TEMPLATE FOR CURVED CORNERS

Step 1: On a sheet of paper, draw a 3″ x 3″ square. 

Step 2: On the outside corner of the square, mark a smaller square of 1 ¾" x 1 ¾".

Step 3: To create the rounded corner, use the inside corner of the smaller square as a pivot and mark points along the edge at 1 ¾" from the corner.

Step 4: Connect the markings to draw a smooth curved line.

Step 5: Cut out the template along the outside square and curve. Set aside.

PREPARE FABRIC PANELS

Step 6: Fuse fleece to the wrong side of the main fabric and flap pieces. Set aside.

 💡 Place fusible fleece with fusible side up, then place the main fabric right side up on top.

MAKE D-RING TAB

Step 7: Fold the tab rectangle in half wrong sides together along the longer edge. Press to crease the center line and open the rectangle. 

Step 8: Fold each edge in toward the middle and press.

Step 9: With the tab edges folded towards the center, fold again along the original crease.

Step 10: Stitch along both long edges of the strip, ⅛″ from the edge.

Step 11: Feed through the D-ring, align raw edges and pin. Stitch ⅛″ from the edge. Set aside. 

MAKE WRIST STRAP

From the D-ring tab prepare and feed the swivel hook through the strip.

Step 12: Place the short edges of the strip right sides together and pin.

Step 13: Stitch the edges together creating a loop. Press open seam. 

Step 14: Fold the strip again and pin. 

Step 15: Stitch ⅛″ from the edge on both sides of the strip. Move the swivel hook along the strip while you stitch.

Step 16: Fold the wrist strap in half and stitch ½″ from the swivel hook to keep it in place.

💡 Take your time folding the strips. Clean, even folds will make your clutch look more professional.

Step 17: 👉 You now have the main body and flap panels, curved template, D-ring tab, and wrist strap ready for the next steps. 

QUILTING THE MAIN FABRIC & FLAP PANELS

Step 18: Mark quilting lines 1″ apart [or as desired] on the right side of the fabric on the main body and flap panels.

Step 19: Change your machine thread to your quilting thread color and stitch each line.
 
💡 Always start quilting from the same direction to avoid puckering or fabric shifting (suggestion: top -> bottom). A sewing machine walking foot is helpful to quilt your lines but not mandatory.
 

Step 20: You now have the two main panels fully quilted.

Step 21: Once quilted, trim all pieces to final measurements (below) using a rotary cutter.

• Main Fabric: (2x) 5 ¾″ x 8 ¾″
• Flap: (1x) 4 ½″ x 6 ¾″

💡 Quilting can slightly shrink your fabric. Make sure your pieces are large enough before trimming to final size.

ROUND THE CORNERS

Step 22: Using the template made, mark the rounded bottom corners of both main fabric quilted panels, quilted flap, and all the lining pieces (3x) by aligning the template to each corner and tracing the curve.

Step 23: Cut the curves using scissors. Set aside. 

💡 Cut the curves slowly. Smooth curves at this stage will make your final bag shape much cleaner.
 
👉 Your fabric pieces are now structured and ready to become a bag.

ATTACH TAB

Step 24: On the non-curved edge of the back body panel, mark 1 ½″ from the right edge.

Step 25: Place tab inside the marking on the back body panel facing inward, raw edges together, and pin. Baste in place with ¼″ seam allowance.

💡 Double-check tab direction before basting. 

ATTACH MAGNETIC SNAPS

Step 26: Grab your flap lining and mark the center horizontally (3 ⅜″ from each side). Following the center line, mark 1″ up from the curved edge. 

Step 27: Fuse the magnetic snap reinforcement square to the wrong side of fabric in the same area you marked on the step before.

Step 28: Punch two small holes around the center, insert the male snap prongs from the right side through to the wrong side of fabric. From the back, insert the snap through the prongs and close the snap tight.

Step 29: Grab your front main quilted panel and mark the center horizontally (4 ⅜″ from each side). Following the center line, mark 2 ½″ up from the curved edge.

Step 30: Punch two small holes around the center, insert the female snap prongs from the right side through to the wrong side of fabric. Add the magnetic snap reinforcement square through the prongs on the back of the panel, add the snap and close the snap tight.
 
💡 Reinforcement is key. Fusible interfacing prevents tearing over time when opening and closing the bag.
 

Step 31:👉 You have successfully attached the magnetic snap closures.

MAKE THE RUFFLE

Step 32: With right sides together, align short ends of the two strips. Stitch along the short edge to join into one long strip. Press seam open.

Step 33: Fold strip in half lengthwise (right side out) and press. 

Step 34 & 35: Thread your needle and sew a gathering/basting stitch along the raw edge. Don’t tie the thread.

Step 36: Gently pull the thread to gather the fabric and create the ruffle.

Step 37: Gather until it matches the length of the curved edge (approximately 15″). Do not tie; set aside.

💡 This is the trickiest process of making this clutch so don’t rush the gathering. Adjust slowly and evenly to avoid clumps and thread breakage. 

👉 You have finished your prep work. Now it’s time to start putting all the pieces of this puzzle together.

ATTACH RUFFLE TO FLAP

Step 38: With your quilted flap panel right side up, place the ruffle along the curved edge. Align the raw edge of the ruffle with the raw edge of the flap. Pin in place on both sides of the top edge.

Step 39: Continue pinning along the curved edge, distributing the gathers as evenly as possible.

Step 40: Stitch the ruffle to the flap at ¼″ seam allowance. Be mindful of pins and remove them as you stitch. 

💡 If your ruffle feels too long or short, adjust evenly from both ends instead of pulling from one side. Take it slow and pin generously. More pins = more control on curved seams.

FINALIZE THE FLAP

Step 41: Place flap and lining right sides together. The ruffle will now be sandwiched between the flap exterior and lining.

Step 42: Pin and sew around the curved edge.

Step 43: Using small scissors, make small clips around the curves without cutting through the seam.

Step 44: Turn right side out, press, and top stitch with your quilting thread at ⅛″ from the edge. The topstitch will be visible on the flap lining, consider changing the bobbin thread to a color that compliments the lining fabric. 

ATTACH FLAP TO THE BACK MAIN BODY PANEL

Step 45 & 46: Place flap and back panel right sides together. Pin along the top raw edges and sew a straight line.

ASSEMBLE BAG

Step 47: Place the front and back (with flap) quilted panels right sides together, pin, and sew only around the curved edge.

Step 48: Using small scissors, make small clips around the curves without cutting through the seam. Turn right side out.

Step 49: Place lining pieces right sides together and pin. Mark a 3″ turning gap on the bottom center curved edge.

Step 50: Sew on both sides of the curved edge, without sewing over the turning gap. Make small clips around the curves with small scissors.
 
💡 Mark your turning gap clearly. This saves confusion later when closing the lining.
 

Step 51:👉 All that is left to do now is to put the outer shell together with the lining.

Step 52: Insert the outer shell (quilted piece) into the lining, right sides together.

Step 53: Pin the top together. 

Step 54: Sew all around. 

TURN, SHAPE, CLOSE LINING

Step 55: Turn the bag right side out through the turning gap.

Step 56: Through the lining opening, gently push out the curves to shape the bag. Then, fold the lining raw edges at the opening inward and topstitch closed at ⅛″ from the edge.

💡 Use a turning tool or chopstick to gently push out curves. 

FINAL TOPSTITCH

Step 57: Push the lining inside the quilted pouch and pin along the seam line.

Step 58: Topstitch around the top edge at ¼″.

💡 Go slowly around the top edge. This final stitch defines the professional finish of your bag.

Step 59:👉 Your clutch is complete. Enjoy your handmade piece!