The Clutch Home Runner: Upcycled DIY Handbag

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!!!

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!

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!

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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