Monogrammed Clutch

This monogrammed clutch is just the perfect size -- not too big and not too small. Embellished with a Text Frame Flourish and beautifully embroidered buttonhole, this clutch is a must-have for any wardrobe!

Supplies & Materials:

Supplies Needed:

1/2 yard fabric (for back and flap - we used home decor fabric)
1/4 yard print fabric (for front of clutch)
1/2 yard sturdy fabric (for inner lining - we used duck cloth)
1/4 yard medium weight fusible interfacing
Medium weight cutaway stabilizer
Temporary spray adhesive
Air-erase pen
Extra wide - double fold bias tape
Large piece of paper or tag board
1/2 inch button
46 inch long strip of decorative cord (optional)

Designs used:

Stylish Symmetry Label (Two Piece) - small

Heart Buttonhole - 1/2 inch

Curly Script Letter L - 2 inch

These designs are also available in the following design packs:

A Curly Script Alphabet Design Pack - 2 inch

A Buttonholes Variety Design Pack - 1/2 inch

Finished size:

10 1/2 inches wide x 4 1/2 inches high x 2 1/2 inches deep

Related Projects:

Text Frame Flourishes

Embroidering with Buttonholes

Gather Materials:

First we will prepare the pattern for the back and flap of the clutch. On a large piece of paper or tag board, draw an 11 inch wide by 6 1/4 inch high rectangle - leave at least 4 inches of excess space above the shape.

Hand holding a pencil drawing a rectangle outline with a ruler on a large white sheet of paper over a dark wooden surface.

Then, measure in 1/2 inch at each top corner. Draw vertical lines 3 1/2 inches up from the marks you just made. Then, draw a line connecting the ends of the vertical lines.

Person’s right hand holding a pencil and ruler, drawing straight lines on white paper over a dark brown surface.

Next, round off the top corners of the top shape by tracing a round object. We used the edge of a ribbon spool.

Hand drawing the outline of a clutch bag on white paper with a blue pen, a round tape measure with blue and white stripes nearby on a wooden surface.

Cut out the shape.

White paper shaped like an envelope lying on a dark wooden surface with orange-handled scissors positioned on the right side.

Trace the shape onto the back/flap fabric.

Hand tracing a paper pattern with rounded flap on yellow fabric using a blue pen on a dark wooden surface.

Draw a horizontal line connecting the tabs at the top of the back (bottom) section.

Hand drawing rounded rectangular shape with blue pen on pale yellow fabric using clear ruler on dark wooden surface.

Find the center of the back section by measuring the top and bottom edges and dividing by two. Then, draw a vertical line connecting the marks.

Blue pen outlines a clutch shape with a flap on light-colored fabric; metal ruler marked in centimeters is held along the bottom edge.

Measure and mark 1 1/4 inch up from the each bottom corner of the back section and draw a horizontal line connecting the marks. The area above this line and below the top edge of the bottom section is the embroidered area.

Plain beige fabric with blue marker lines outlining a clutch shape and center lines. A clear 12-inch ruler and a blue pen are placed on the fabric.

Start Embroidering:

Create paper template(s) of the designs by printing them at full size using embroidery software. If you don't have embroidery software, you can cut a piece of paper the shape and dimensions of the design to help with placement and centering.

Arrange the design(s) along the center vertical line where you would like them. Leave about 1/2 inch of space between the edges of the design(s) and the top and bottom edges of the back section. Poke holes in the centers of the designs and mark the fabric. Also, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points. We are creating a monogram using a single letter and a 2-piece label design. For more information on using these designs, click here.

Remove the labels and draw lines connecting the axis points - these lines will be used for hooping. Spray a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric on top. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric. Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design.

Hand drawing clutch pattern on yellow fabric with blue marker, placing paper stencil with black ornate letter "L" and decorative flourishes.

If you are embroidering more than one design, repeat the hooping and embroidering process for each design. When the design(s) are finished, cut out the shape. We are leaving the stabilizer on the back of the fabric to give the fabric more rigidity.

Light green fabric with blue grid lines and guidelines for embroidery. Centered red letter "L" with decorative black flourishes above and below. Orange scissors on right. Dark wood background.

To prepare the fabric for the front of the clutch, cut a piece of print fabric to 11 inches wide by 6 1/4 inches high. Then, back the fabric with medium weight fusible interfacing (follow instructions on interfacing packaging). Align the front fabric on top of the embroidered back fabric, right sides together, and pin in place. Sew a 1/2 inch seam along the sides and bottom edges only - leave the top edge open.

Hand holding orange fabric with metallic floral design over yellow paper pattern for a clutch, with drawn lines and a small black decorative flourish.

To create the bottom of the clutch, align the side seams with the bottom seam and pin in place. Measure and mark in 1 1/2 inch starting at the outer tip of the corner. Then, draw a line perpendicular to the seam at the mark.

Hand holds a blue pen marking a folded white paper pattern pinned to orange and yellow fabric pieces on a wooden table with a clear ruler.

Sew a seam along this line and then trim the corner leaving about 1/2 inch of excess fabric at the seam.

Pair of sharp scissors on a wooden table with two pieces of sewn fabric, one cream-colored folded and stitched, the other patterned, along with a small fabric scrap.

To create the inner lining, trace the pattern piece onto the inner lining fabric and cut out the shape. Also, cut a piece of the inner lining fabric to 11 inches wide by 6 1/4 inches high. Assemble the inner lining just as you did the outer embroidered shell.

Hand holding two overlapping pieces of olive green fabric with rounded corners, one pinned with straight pins, on a brown wood surface.

Turn the outer shell right side out. Then, with the inner lining left wrong side out, insert the outer shell inside the inner lining (right sides are together). Align the side seams and the outer edges together, and pin in place. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the top edge of the front of the clutch only from one side seam to the other (do not sew the flap).

Hand holding open a brown fabric clutch being sewn, showing white inner lining with a pink and gray floral embroidery pattern, table surface background.

Turn the inner lining out and insert the outer shell inside the inner lining. Align the outer shell and inner lining flaps together and pin. Press the front seam and top stitch a 1/8 inch seam along the front seam. Also, sew a 1/8 inch seam along the entire outer edge of the flap.

Hand holding a curved piece of cream fabric with blue markings and red embroidered script pinned with red and blue straight pins, on a dark wood surface.

We are adding a buttonhole design to the front flap to create the closure. For more information on using buttonhole designs, click here. You may also add a buttonhole using your sewing machine. Find the center of the front flap by measuring the width of the flap and dividing by two. Mark the fabric about one inch from the bottom edge and sew the buttonhole.

Hand tracing a heart-shaped monogram design clipped to yellow fabric with embroidery outlines and a stylus on a dark wood surface.

Now we will add the bias tape. Cut a piece of bias tape long enough to cover the entire outer edge of the flap leaving about 1/2 inch of excess at each end. Unfold the tape and pin the bottom edge of the tape along the outer edge of the flap.

Close-up of a hand holding fabric with multicolored pins along the edge, partially covering embroidered letter "J" with decorative swirls on cream cloth.

Sew a seam along the fold closest to the outer edge of the flap. Then, remove the pins and fold the tape around the edge of the flap. Fold the ends of the tape in 1/2 inch and sew the tape in place by sewing a seam along the inner edge.

Close-up of a sewing machine stitching tan fabric pinned to yellow crosshatched fabric with a small embroidered design partially visible underneath.

To add the button, fold the flap to the front and mark the front of the clutch through the center of the buttonhole.

Hand holding a blue water erasable fabric pen, drawing black embroidery outline of a decorative heart with swirls on beige fabric clutch with red patterned trim.

Sew a button at the mark.

Hand stitching a red paisley fabric clutch lined with brown fabric on a wooden surface, with a white button on the front flap and a needle in hand.

You can also add a strap to the clutch. Cut a piece of decorative cord to 46 inches long. Tie knots at each end about one inch from the ends and sew the ends in place at the top corners of the clutch.

Hand sewing a beige fabric clutch with a copper-colored brocade lining on a wooden surface, visible needle and thread stitching a black-and-gold twisted cord trim.

Get Inspired:

And you're finished! Create one for yourself and as a beautiful personalized gift for friends and family.

Beige fabric clutch bag with red embroidered letter "L" centered between two dark brown decorative embroidery motifs, photographed on white background.