Why the Arch Clutch?
The Arch Clutch caught our eye for our August Maker Series challenge because of its elegant shape, polished finish, and surprisingly quick construction. Designed by Australia’s Kylie and the Machine, it’s a satisfying project with clear, thoughtful instructions, and the result is a stylish little bag that can be dressed up or down for almost any occasion.
The Arch Clutch - By Kylie and the Machine
We’d had the Arch Clutch pattern in the shop for some time, but its understated cover meant this little gem wasn’t getting the attention it deserved. We knew it would be a quick, rewarding sew, and a clever way to use some favourite fabric scraps, making it the perfect project for a little late-summer sewing.
This very practical clutch fits a large phone and a wallet in the main compartment plus cards and cash in the internal zipper pocket. Swing it around day or night with the optional wrist strap!
“Don't be intimidated by the curved zipper! Even if you've never sewn a zipper before, our instructions will guide you through the process and you'll acquire a new skill and a new clutch bag!" - Kylie
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
Approx. Finished Dimensions: 10 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" high x 2" deep
Estimated Sewing Time: 1-2 hours
Get the pattern HERE.
Pattern Requirements Simplified
This bag uses only a small amount of fabric and interfacing. Because our materials are sold in minimum cuts of ¼ yard, ½ yard, or one yard, the supply list reflects the smallest quantity you’ll need to add to your cart, not the exact amount the clutch requires. You’ll have plenty left over for another project!
1) Main Fabric: 1/2 Yard - Woven textile such as cotton, canvas, denim or corduroy.
2) Lining Fabric: 1/2 Yard - Lightweight Woven, such as quilting cotton.
3) Fusible Interfacing: 1/2 yard - Use light-weight to heavy woven interfacing depending on the stiffness you want. We used EB-Fuse Heavy on our corduroy version, but nothing on the large interfacing template on the faux leather and suede versions.
4) Heavy Stabilizer: 1/4 yard - Decovil Light works well for this, but EB-Fuse Heavy fuses on better and is a lower price point. We used this on all 3 versions we made.
5) Zippers: Choose 1 x 30" zipper with 2 pulls, or 1 x 24" Zipper with 1 pull added to make both required zippers.
6) Hardware: 1 x 14-18mm magnetic snap, 1 x 1/2" (12mm) D-Ring, 1 x 1/2" (12mm) Swivel Snap Hook
Our staff picks - and helpful tips for each!
Connie's Pick - Suede & Roses
Connie put together Grey faux suede and a dark floral for a moody evening look. The faux suede is easy to sew and provides great structure.
Zippers: Connie used part of a size #5 - 24" zipper for the bag opening, and added a pull to the left-over piece of the zipper for the internal zipper pocket. To do this, you do need to cut your zippers longer than the "finished zipper" that is on the supply list, so scroll down to the section "TIPS FROM THE STUDIO" below, to see how long to cut your zippers for this method. NOTE: When sewing on a size #5 zipper, which is 1 1/4" wide, you should use a 3/8" (10mm) seam allowance.
Interfacing: Faux suede already has enough thickness and stability, so there is no need to apply interfacing to the entire exterior. You can skip the light to medium weight interfacing used with the large interfacing template. Simply use EB-Fuse Heavy, or Decovil Light if you have it, with the smaller interfacing template for the bottom section of the bag below the side notches.
Tennille's Pick - Citronella Summer
Tennille's bag feels like a hot summer day, and would be a great accessory for a party or wedding outfit.
Zippers: She used 1 x 30" double-pull zipper, for both the opening and the internal pocket. To do this, you do need to cut your zippers longer than the "finished zipper" that is on the supply list, so scroll down to the section "TIPS FROM THE STUDIO" below, to see how long to cut your zippers for this method, and how to add a fabric tab to cover the raw edges of a zipper that is cut to length. NOTE: When sewing on a size #5 zipper, which is 1 1/4" wide, you should use a 3/8" (10mm) seam allowance.
Interfacing: Faux Leather already has enough thickness and stability, so just like with the faux suede, there is no need to apply interfacing to the entire exterior. You can skip the light to medium weight interfacing used with the large interfacing template. Simply use EB-Fuse Heavy, or Decovil Light if you have it, with the smaller interfacing template for the bottom section of the bag below the side notches.
Faux Leather: After making the bag in this Prairie Faux leather, we did notice that there is a wavy effect that happens next to the zipper and this is due to the arched curve that is sewn along the zipper. We recommend that you sew very carefully to make sure you don't stretch the faux leather, and optionally, put a crescent shaped piece of heavy interfacing on the faux leather where the flap area is, this will create some stability.
Another area to make note of when using faux leather, is the small tab made to attach the d-ring. Due to the thickness of the faux leather, it is much easier to sew this in the seam if you use a 2-fold strap method here to make it rather than a 4-fold strap method.
Tennille wrote us some helpful tips to make this strap tab! The strap tab piece in the pattern measures 2” x 2.5”. Cut it in half so it measures 1” x 2.5”. Find the centre along the 1” side and draw a line down the length of the tab. Fold the right side in to meet the center line. Repeat with the left side. Your piece will now measure ½” x 2.5”. Flip it over and topstitch along each of the long sides using a 1/8” seam allowance. Continue making your strap tab as per the pattern instructions.
Convert to a shoulder bag: Tennille actually made 2 of these citronella clutches, and on the second, she add a Side Clip with D-ring, a clip we use to add either a wristlet strap, shoulder strap, or purse chain. Add one for a wristlet, or 2 and a chain for a shoulder strap!
Janelle's Pick - Cozy Corduroy
Carry Janelle's corduroy version all summer long and then into autumn. She used a floral print corduroy on the exterior back and dark oregano green on the front to create an accented fold-over! Finished with nickel hardware that pops.
Zippers: Janelle used part of a size #5 - 24" zipper for the bag opening, and added a pull to the left-over piece of the zipper for the internal zipper pocket in the same way Connie did. NOTE: When sewing on a size #5 zipper, which is 1 1/4" wide, you should use a 3/8" (10mm) seam allowance.
Interfacing: We used EB-Fuse Heavy for BOTH the Light-Medium interfacing requirement, and the Heavy/stiff interfacing requirement. To do this, layer the 2nd (smaller piece ) of EB-Fuse Heavy over the first layer and press well.
TIPS FROM THE STUDIO:
We had a lot of fun with this bag, and have a few tips to pass along. If you are shopping for supplies and can't find the exact length of finished zipper required (10" between the metal stops for the exterior, and 7" for the lining), it is easy to use a longer finished zipper, or zipper-by-the-yard cut down to size.
HOW TO USE A LONG ZIPPER FOR THE BAG OPENING:
If you are using one of our 24 inch or 30 inch metallic nylon coil zippers, or a length of zipper by the yard, you will need to make a small adjustment to ensure your zipper is cut to the correct length.
For the top opening, the pattern calls for a 10 inch finished zipper. This means the zipper measures 10 inches between the stops, with a 1 inch zipper tape tail at each end, for a total starting length of 12 inches. Regardless of which zipper style you choose, you will need a 12 inch length to begin.
If you are using one of our longer finished zippers, such as a 24 inch single pull or 30 inch double pull zipper, keep the metal closed end stop intact. Beginning at the end of the zipper tape closest to this stop, measure a total length of 12 inches and cut off the excess from the open end. You can then follow the pattern instructions as written. Fold the zipper tape tails at the closed end at a 45 degree angle and secure them in place. The tape ends at the open end will also be folded at a 45 degree angle, as shown in the pattern.
If you are using a length of zipper-by-the-yard, you can add a fabric or faux leather zipper end to cover the raw end and create a finished, closed end. Once the zipper end is attached, the zipper should measure 10 inches from the outer edge of the zipper end to the point where the zipper tape will be folded at the open end.
To make the zipper end, cut a 1¼ inch by 1 inch rectangle of faux leather. Mark the centre of the 1 inch length, drawing a line across the width of the rectangle. Place double sided tape along the right and left edges of the zipper end.
Position the raw end of the zipper just slightly before the marked centre line. Fold the faux leather over the end of the zipper, enclosing the raw edges, and press it securely in place. Sew the zipper end to the zipper using a ⅛ inch seam allowance.
You can now follow the pattern instructions as written, folding the zipper tape tails at the open end at a 45 degree angle, as shown in the pattern.
HOW TO USE A LONG ZIPPER FOR THE INTERNAL ZIPPER POCKET:
If you don't have a 7" finished zipper, cut a length of zipper longer than 9" from any zipper or zipper-by-the-yard, and add 1 zipper slider with pull. You can use this longer zipper in place of the 7" zipper and follow the pattern instructions to make the pocket!
Community Makes to Inspire!
We'd love to show you what our followers have been making too. We hope to have a lot of entries in our current Emmaline Maker Series, and one of these lucky makers will be selected in a random draw for a $50.00 Gift Card to use at Emmaline. Makers have until September 15, 2026 to post in our Facebook group or tag us on Instagram with the hashtag #emmalinemakerseries to enter.
Explore Maker Series Projects
If you would like to see our current Emmaline Maker Series project: GO HERE
Thanks for reading!!