One of my favorite local thrift stores, Second Chances, has the most amazing linens section of any thrift store I’ve ever been to- and y’all already KNOW I’ve been around the thrifting block a few times. It’s a two-story, well-appointed shop, and the linens have an entire room dedicated to all things textile- pillows, comforters, curtains/drapes, pillows, etc. I just so happened to be passing by the table runner wall cubbies when I spotted a lovely yellow & blue runner that reminded me of jacquard ribbon in French country colors.

Running with an idea…
It was in lovely shape, save for a few wine stains in the center…but no matter at all…I only had plans for repurposing the ends. But what, pray tell, would I do with table runner ends, hmmm??
Well…if my sewing skills could handle it…I was going to try and make an envelope-style clutch handbag! This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience.
First things first, I folded over a corner (after removing the tassels), measured it, multiplied it by 3, and cut off the length of table runner that I’d want for a bag.

OK- let’s see if this works.
To give my clutch-to-be a little body, I traced out my table runner end on some extra-firm interfacing and cut it out (ultra-firm would have been good, too).

An interfacing insert in the making…
Here’s my plan- slip the interfacing inside the table runner end! Think of the interfacing as a pillow and the table runner as a pillowcase.

Ohhhh, look at that!
Once I knew the interfacing insert fit inside the table runner, I just needed to add a magnetic snap/closure! So I purchased some sew-in magnets that I would attach to the interfacing. The sharpie-written X’s mark the magnetic sides of each magnet.

How cool are those?
Using my sewing machine, I stitched on one magnet near the corner of my interfacing (“X side” facing out), and the other magnet on the flip side of the interfacing (again, “X side” facing out), approximately 6” in from the end. Just like an envelope!

See where I’m going with this?
Then I slid the interfacing into the table runner- With the pretty fabric side facing down, I slid the interfacing in with the corner magnet facing up. I then verified that it would magnet-snap close when tri-folded…pinned the open end closed…and carefully hemmed it on my machine.

OK- so this is actually working out better than I had hoped!
Next, I turned up the flat edge and pinned it for stitching the sides shut. This would become the body of my clutch bag- so far, so good!

Alright, y’all- we’re finishing this up!
And then that was it! Once it was magnetically “snapped” closed and I lined up the stripes of the fabric together, I gave the top flap a little press with my iron. Not a full crease, mind you, but just something to give the fabric and interfacing some memory when opened and closed.

LOOK AT THAT!
And here it is opened! It’s already self-lined with the underside of the table runner…and you can’t see the magnets. Bottom line…MY IDEA WORKED!!!

Holy moly, I did it…
In typical Sadie fashion, I added a vintage brooch to the clutch flap- if you’ve ever been to my Etsy shop, you know this is what I do to vintage bags!

How good does that look?
And a special shout-out to my good friend, Kate DiNatale Vintage, for modeling my clutch in her BRAND NEW brick and mortar shop! So very proud of her- our town just gets more and more fab!

KDV is rockin’ the Sadie clutch!
So, what do you think- did it turn out well?? If you love stitching together your own handbags, purses, and totes, check out All Free Sewing…it has some great ideas for you, from beginner sewists to expert-level seamstresses.
Craft on!
S
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Wow. That is a lovely, expensive looking clutch for very little money. Brilliant tutorial too.
Thank you so much, Sandra!
Cute idea!
Thanks, Rose!
Excellent job, Sarah! You had me at vintage linens and purses – I collect both. Love the fabric and the jewel tops it off just right.
Thanks, Rita!
Great project ! I’m going to be in the Greenville area next weeks would love to know what thrifts and shops are a MUST visit Thanks and love your blog
That’s great, Joyce!! So, my favorite local stores are the one I mention in this post (Second Chances), as well as SOS Thrift (there are two locations- both are great, but the Pleasantburg store is my favorite), and Red Ribbon Resale. There are plenty of others (Goodwill, Miracle Hill, Salvation Army), but those three are at the top of my list!
I love this! What a fantastic and beautiful idea. Pinning.
Sadie,
You work magic with every piece of fabric you touch!
This is wonderful!
Pinned!
Jemma
Thank you so much, Jemma!
Your creativity is amazing!
Thank you so much, Carol
CUTE!
Thanks!!! (I think so, too. 😉 )
Amazing. It turned out lovely. Your step by step is very clear and easy to follow.
Thank you so much!
Beautiful table runner and a lovely job!
Thank you, Florence!
Sarah, what an awesome way to use a table runner or any piece of fabric. I’m like you ~ just love fabric. I call myself a fabric who—-. Thanks for sharing this great sewing project at Your Inspired Design Link Party.
Thank you so much!
Hello. I am visiting you from How We Roll. This is a great tutorial. You may like my post on How to Run Your Own Summer Sewing Camp. http://www.thelostapron.com/2016/07/sewing-camp.html
Thanks, Ana!
Perfect, Sadie. I am impressed by your creativity, attention to detail and how you worked it all through in your mind so that the magnets were hidden. The brooch was the perfect touch. Very nice job, Sadie. And, the photograph is very professional.
Ginene
Thanks, Ginene- I sincerely appreciate it! I take all my photos with just my phone- it helped to have a great model with a fun bag to shoot! 🙂
I just love this! Thanks for sharing at The Creative Circle! I would like to try to make this.
Thanks, Angela!
Amazing vision! Looks like something expensive from a designer vintage shop. Visiting from Morning Cup of Joe party.
Thank you so very much!
I had to laugh when I saw, “Holy moly, I did it…”!! I do that all the time! This turned out stunning. Have you been called a genius like a million times already? Cause you are 😀
LOL- thank you!!! I say it all the time (the holy moly part, not the genius part 😛 )- I have these crazy ideas in my head and sometimes I’m just plain shocked that they worked!!
How cute! I think I have an old pillow slip cover of similar material. I know I’m making this. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & Shared
Thank you so much!!
I love how approachable this project is! The clutch is adorable 🙂
Thank you, Jelica!
Beautiful clutch! And to think, it used to be a table runner! Wonderful work and so creative!
Thank you so much!
Sarah, You are a woman with an incredible vision! This clutch turned out so cute! Thanks for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Pinned to share
Thank you so very much, Laurie!
I love this – what a great way to re-purpose old linens! Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NWs DIY Party!
Thanks, Helen!
What a great way to repurpose an old table runner. Thanks for sharing with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week.
Thanks so much!
Such an easy project and for great clutch. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Mary!
You could have convinced me that it was a vintage clutch. You did a lovely job on it. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Thank you so much!!
Such a pretty clutch. Love how you re-purposed it. The tutorial is outstanding as well. Thank you for sharing your creative talents at DI&Di.
Thank you so much, Linda!
Sarah you have done it again! This is so smart and so easy and the possibilites are endless! Pinning and sharing!
Thank you so much, Mary!
Hi Sarah, I’m Anne. I can’t seem to leave a comment at the end of the comments section, so I’m doing it here. I’m new here, visiting from Inspire Me Wednesdays. And can I just say? I think you might be a genius. What a brilliant use of an old table runner! And you’re right about that fabric, just perfect. Anyway, have a wonderful day, and hope you can pop over to my blog (https://birdsongbitsandpieces.blogspot.com) sometime to say hi!
I’m so sorry that my post wasn’t behaving and you couldn’t leave a regular comment! But THANK YOU so very much- I really appreciate that! And I did just pop over to your blog- girl, you need to link up to my weekly link party (Talk of the Town)! We are partial to upcycling/farmhouse style projects so you’d fit right in. 🙂
I will, thanks for the invite!
Wow…what a neat idea! 🙂
I’d love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, and tips: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Wow! Words cannot express how smart and awesome I think this is! Also, I hadn’t heard of sewable magnet closures. That is a fantastic resource. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday this week!
Thank you so much!! And YES, those hidden magnets are pretty awesome!!
Always great to see you at Peace Love Linkup! See you next week! : )
I can barely sew a hem and the iron on stuff and I don’t see eye to eye. This Sadie Clutch is adorable! So happy that you were able to join us again this week at Celebrate Your Story!
I am speechless, so all i can say I am totally in love! So pretty! I sew so this is on my bucket list
MAria
Thank you so very much, Maria!
My aren’t you crafty! What a nice job you did on the clutch! Thanks for sharing at Welcome Home Wednesdays. We love seeing your posts!
Thank you so much, Erin!
This is one of our features this week! Good job!
YAY!! Thank you!!
I love what you did with the table runner! Tomorrow I will try to make it. Thanks! This bag is adorable!
Thanks so much, Alice! I’d love to see how yours turns out. 🙂
I loved it..you made me want to go out and check out the thrift stores and its 1am here in Vegas.
Great job..well done. Where is your store at? Would be nice if it was near by. Best of luck on any and all future endeavors.
Gail
Thanks, Gail. I have an Etsy shop online (https://www.etsy.com/shop/SadieSeasongoods) which is like being nearby no matter where you are! 🙂
Love your clutch. I want to have a place to go to in Maine that requires an evening purse….darn…my 30+ year old one suffices! I have done the same with table runners but turned them into 2 throw pillows with an “envelope” closure. If the runner doesn’t come with tassels, I cut a skein of embroidery floss in half for 2 tassels….slick! Using pillow covers for holidays, especially, sure saves on storage space!