Today I’m sharing how to transform a makeup bag into a cute clutch!
I’ve got another confession to make. I despise big, heavy pocketbooks.
Small, simple clutches are much more my style. So when one of my sweet friends cleaned out her closet and brought me a load of the most colorful, patterned make up bags I knew they were destined for greatest.
Those bags were on their way to becoming a Fancy Clutch! Perfect for summertime!
The whole project started with this retro inspired make up bag. All it needed was a little bit of fancy. Like a big colorful burned edge flower kinda fancy!
Burned edged flowers are one of the first DIY tutorials I ever found in crafting blogland. They are quick to make and can be added as decorations to so many things.
Fancy Clutch with Burned Edged Flower Supplies
Small, colorful bag
1/8 yard of satin fabric
Coordinating ribbon
Candle
Hot glue gun
Begin by cut satin circles of various sizes. I wanted my flower to be big so I cut three 4-inch circles, five 3-inch circles, and three 2-inch circles.
The fun part is melting the edges of the circles by holding them carefully over a flame. Just close enough to begin to curl the edges of the fabric.
Yes, it is dangerous. Yes, the fabric could catch on fire. But you will get the hang of it.
Below is a graphic for how I construct burned edged flowers. Instead of nesting the circles inside each other, I stagger the pieces to make the petals more spread out. Only a drop of hot glue will secure the petals to each other. A small rubber spatula is my newest tool for pressing down pieces that the glue makes too hot to touch.
Several years ago huge flashy rings were popular {or so I thought}. I wore my big, orange flower ring once before I realized that fad wasn’t for me. Good thing I kept it because it made the perfect center for my fancy clutch’s flower.
I simply snipped off the stretchy back and hot glued the flower into place. Look through your old jewelry to see what you can find!
A cardboard circle covered with a piece of fleece or felt gives a little structure to the flower. Adding large safety pins to the back allows the flower to be removed from the clutch if I want to use it in another place.
The next step is to cover the silver pull tab. I created a ribbon tassel by gluing 2″ pieces of ribbon onto a 4″ strip. Then simply glue and wrap the piece to the pull tab.
Vibrant bag. Big fancy flower. Fun ribbon tassel. Awesome summer clutch!
My little clutch as already been shopping! It is the perfect size for holding all my essentials.
Bet you {or one of your best girlfriends} has make up bags just waiting to be transformed!
Your comments totally make my day! They give me huge motivation to keep creating and having fun with my 3 Little Greenwoods!
I link up with these fun parties!
Oh how I love this! The flower is gorgeous and very cool! I thought I was the only one that still said pocketbook! 😀 Totally in love with this idea!
We are so Southern! 😉
~ Ashley
So cute!
Thanks, Kim!
~ Ashley
I love your bag accessory and the tassel!! It sure does add so much pizzazz to the pretty bag! Want to know something funny? I have the exact same bag! Before my daughter moved to Minnesota she was a makeup artist and worked for Clinique. I would go up there all the time and buy things from her and received the exact same bag for one my purchases!! lol Now I’m going to have to add the tassel, that is just too cute!
That is funny! I’m not a fancy makeup buyer but my girlfriend is. She gave me a ton of these pretty, freebie bags. I *just* had to make them into something!
~ Ashley
This is such a clever idea! I’ve never tried one of these satin flowers but I love them. Have a great day!
Glenna @ My Paper Craze
Oh, I love making these burned edged satin flowers! They are super simple to make and can be totally customizable.
~ Ashley
Looks great, Ashley!
Thanks Suzanne! The huge orange flower makes me so happy!
~ Ashley
I’ve never been brave enough to try the naked flame near fabric flower making method for fear of setting the whole lot alight! You make it look very do-able, I am inspired to have a bash – thank you!
This is so pretty! I love how you did the flower. I would love to have you link it up to my Feature Friday Link Palooza!
Danielle @ Blissful & Domestic
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/search/label/Feature%20Friday%20Linky%20Party
Thanks so much for the invite! I’ll hop over now!
~ Ashley
That is stunning! How clever you are!
Thanks so much, Mimi!
~ Ashley
Such a neat idea! I’m so glad that it is easy!! 🙂 I am not crafty at all – so I need easy! Thanks so much for linking up to Freedom Fridays!
Hey Jamie! Thanks for hosting your fun party!
~ Ashley
This is such a brilliant idea!! It looks terrific.Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop Watch for your feature on Monday xo P.S. do you still want to be part of the August giveaway? Please email me. I am creating the giveaway this weekend. 🙂
Hey Katherine!
Wahoo! Thanks so much for the feature. I love my little fancied up clutch!
I’ve got to pass on the August giveaway but I would love to participate in September’s. Please add me to the list.
~ Ashley
I love how this clutch came out. TFS!!!
Stopping by from Not Just a Housewife Linky Party and a follower. Here is what I shared this week: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2014/07/another-button-down-shirt-for-e.html
Thanks so much, Alisha!
~ Ashley
I love this, adorable. Thank you so much for sharing at Friday Favorites!
So excited you like my fancied up clutch!
~ Ashley
What a brilliant idea! The rose petals look so realistic, I am amazed.
Thanks so much, Eva!
I have that same bag! I need to step up my game I love what you did with yours! Thanks so much for linking up at the Creative Sparks Link Party. We are live again today so stop by and link up! http://bit.ly/1pEMI5A
Too funny! You definitely need to add a pretty flower and take it out on the town. 😉
~ Ashley
OK I am pinning this!! I love the pictorial you have on how to get burned edged flowers! Kudos for making that resource!!
Thanks again for linking up at the Bewitchin Projects party this week! I am SUPER excited what you link up again next week over at OurMiniFamily.com!
Cheers,
~Cathy Mini~
OurMiniFamily.com
Hey Cathy!
Making burned edged flowers are so much fun! You’ve got to try it and pretty something up! Thanks for the pin!
~ Ashley
so cute… looks nothing like a makeup bag!!! Featuring today in the Create Link Inspire features on Nap-Time Creations… spreading the word on social media.. thanks for linking! Emily
Awesome! Thanks so much for the feature and the social media love!
~ Ashley
Thanks so much for sharing your Clutch Bag project at the Celebrate It blog party! It is so cute and creative!I hope you will return this week and link up another fantastic project. We are open for new link ups right now! http://bit.ly/1AiFR9u
Hey Teri!
Thanks so much for the bloggy love! So happy you like my fancied up clutch.
~ Ashley