Ruthie Clutch ~ Anna Maria Horner Sewing Pattern

Feminine and Spacious!

By: Melinda on 02/18/2011 09:26:48 AM

Pros: relatively easy construction, nearly perfect instructions, unique but not overdesigned

Cons: would like some revisions to how to construct the band and alternative instructions for making the gathers, also would like specific recommendations for which interfacing to use

I am more experienced with pdf patterns where there are photos included in each step. So these traditional patterns are usually a little more tricky for me since I am very visual. I had trouble in two spots - gathering the fabric and the top band. In gathering the fabric I learned really quick that I had used too firm of an interfacing. I don't regret the choice of interfacing (medium weight fusible) because it gave more structure and support to the bag body, but I had to improvise on the gathers. I chosed to gather the folds by hand using a pleating technique and stitching them down with a basting stitch. That worked very well as an alternative method. I thought the dimensions of the top band were too wide. I chose to trim some of the width (I think I trimmed about 1/2 inch off) off the interfacing. I used Pellon Peltex double sided fusible for the band. I wrapped the top band in the fabric and fused both sides at the same time (flipping over as necessary). Then I attempted to machine stitch the band for the final topstitching but that did not work very well. I went back and slip stitched the inside as the directions said to do. It turned out really nice. I am very pleased with the bag. I love the button tab and button detail. The bag is quite spacious for a clutch and I feel very fashionable when I go out with it. The button tab taught me a new method which I will try to incorporate in future bags that I make.

Super Cute Clutch

By: Kristen on 02/17/2011 10:40:45 PM

I LOVE this clutch - I made one for the Bag Swap, and that made me really want one for myself! It's a great size to use as a purse but more fun than my usual (too-large) bag. I did make a couple of modifications: I added an interior pocket and pleated (rather than gathered) the exterior, but those were completely personal preference. I'm an intermediate sewer, I guess, and I found this pattern easy to follow. I haven't used many patterns, so in that respect I'm sort of a newbie. The only spot that I had a little trouble with was the interfacing on the band, and that was largely due to the fact that I used interfacing that was too narrow. I have heard that other people didn't understand the instruction in that part, but I thought they were fine. I slip-stitched the band to the lining, and it probably would have been good to give myself some extra fabric on the band; I had a few spots that didn't meet up to cover the stitch line. The construction for the button tab is kind of fun, too - it's not a buttonhole but rather an opening designed into the tab itself. I would definitely recommend this pattern - if you're totally new to sewing, you might need to take your time and pay attention to all the details, but it's a pretty basic construction and allows for some fun pattern combinations.