3 Little Greenwoods

Home Decor Projects, Easy Crafts, & Party Planning Tips

by: Ashley Greenwood

Transform a Makeup Bag into a DIY Clutch

Today I’m sharing how to transform a makeup bag into a cute clutch!

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

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!

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

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.

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

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.

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

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.
How to construct burned edged flowers

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!

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

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.

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

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.

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

Vibrant bag. Big fancy flower. Fun ribbon tassel. Awesome summer clutch!

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

My little clutch as already been shopping! It is the perfect size for holding all my essentials.

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

Bet you {or one of your best girlfriends} has make up bags just waiting to be transformed!

Make Up Bag to Fancy Clutch by 3 Little Greenwoods

                       Your comments totally make my day! They give me huge motivation to                    keep creating and having fun with my 3 Little Greenwoods! 

~ Ashley

 

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Comments

  3. 5

    Marti @ SewliciousHomeDecor says

    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!

    Reply
  6. 11

    Julie says

    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!

    Reply
  9. 16

    Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

    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!

    Reply
  10. 18

    Katherines Corner says

    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. 🙂

    Reply
    • 19

      3littlegreenwoods says

      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

      Reply
  15. 28

    Cathy Mini @ Our Mini Family says

    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

    Reply
  16. 30

    emily says

    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

    Reply

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