I've seen clutches around with a large bow on the front. The ones I've seen use zippers. I love the idea of the big bow in front, but I wanted to use magnetic purse closures instead of a zipper. So this version was born.
I made a pattern as I went. You can download it here. The pattern is hand drawn, so it won't be perfect.
NOTE: I just remade this and realized I made the base pattern piece too short. You'll need to add about two inches to the skinny end of the base pattern piece.
In addition to the pattern pieces, you'll need to cut out 2 pieces that are 10 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches, one piece that is 6 inches by 2 1/2 inches, and one piece that is 18 inches by 2 inches. Use a medium to heavy weight fabric, or line your pieces with stiff interfacing. I used the same fabric for the lining and the shell, but it would be fun to use different fabrics. I used about 1/2 yard total {they were scrap pieces, so I'm not positive}.
When you're done cutting, this is what you should have {pieces where 2 are cut are stacked}:
Base piece not shown.
For future reference, I refer to the piece on the left in the picture above as the back piece. The back piece also folds over and is the front flap.
Start by sewing your 10 1/2 inch by 5 1/2 inch pieces right sides together, along the long ends.
Turn right side out and press. Do the same for your 6 inch by 2 1/2 inch piece. Press the 2 1/2 inch piece with the seam on the back side.
The wide piece is your bow. Line it up where you want it on the front flap of your clutch. The front flap is the slightly skinnier end of the back piece.
Sew the tie strip around the bow. You may have to trim the ends of the tie strip if they're too long. I also stitched the tie to the bow itself so it wouldn't slide around.
Sew the ends of the bow to the sides of the clutch.
Sew the long piece you cut into a tube, then turn it right side out and press, again with the seam going down the back side.
Topstitch on both sides.
Sew the base piece to the front piece of both the shell and the lining, right sides together.
Pin the lining to the shell of the front pieces along the top. Cut a small piece of your long strip off to make a loop. Insert it in between the two base pieces with the raw ends up.
Stitch along the top, and turn so that the right sides are facing out. The loop is on the right.
Press along the top and around the curved edges.
Match up the lining of the back piece to the shell of the back piece, right sides together. The bow should be in the middle. Pin in place.
Line up the front piece with the back piece. The front flap is on the top in this picture. Mark with pins how high up the front piece comes on the back.
Stitch the front flap end together, going slightly past the pins you used to mark in the last step.
Turn right sides out and press. The front flap should be finished; the back will have some raw edges.
Line up the front and back pieces again.
Mark with pins where you want your purse closure to go.
Insert your purse closure.
I used a small square of heavy interfacing on the inside to reinforce the purse closure. While the front is inside out, stitch the sides of the base pieces together on both sides a few inches.
Turn right side out again. This will keep the edges at the top clean.
With right sides together, match up the curves of the base pieces with the curve of the back. Stitch around the curves, making sure to backstitch at the top to secure.
Use a zig zag stitch to keep the raw edges on the inside from fraying.
Turn it right side out.
I used a key ring to attach the rest of the long strip, so that it is removable.
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