While I certainly enjoy making items that are more of a timeless style that I can keep for a long time to come, there's always something extra fun about making projects that are purely based off of trendy fads too. They are just, well, fun! We've been pretty emoji obsessed around here and thought it was high time that we devote a wearable accessory to the lovable icons. A wristlet clutch seemed like the perfect project to feature the faces! Want to make one too?
Supplies:
–vinyl fabric in yellow, pink, and black
-zipper
-fabric scissors
-fabric glue
-X-Acto knife
–emoji clutch template (right click to download)
-round bowl or plate about 8" wide
-binder clips (optional)
–non-stick sewing machine foot 
(optional)
–Chicago screw for handle (optional)
Get your bowl or plate that you're going to use as your face template (shoot for a size of 8-9"). Trace two circles onto the back of your yellow vinyl, and cut out your circles.
Designate one of the circles to be the back of your bag, and cut a slit that is 1/2" wide and 7" long down the middle of the circle. Try to find a zipper that is exactly 7" long if you can, but if you can't find one, you can use wire cutters and scissors to trim the zipper down to size (the wire cutters are to cut through the metal zipper section more easily). You can also adjust the length of the window you cut to accommodate a different size zipper.
Use the fabric glue to glue the zipper under the cutout so that the zipper fits perfectly in the window.
Once the glue dries, stitch around the window about 1/4" from the edge to secure the zipper in place. I would suggest using either a nonstick foot for your sewing machine (handy for lots of different materials), or putting a piece of scotch tape on the bottom of your standard foot. The material will move much smoother through your machine than if you don't.
Cut two pieces of black vinyl that are 3/4" x 11" and 3/4" x 12". Glue the pieces wrong sides together with the shorter piece centered in the middle of the longer one (see first photo above). Making the last 1/2" of each side only one layer thick instead of two will make the strap less bulky when you fold it in half and sew it into the side of the clutch. Before folding, you can either leave the strap just glued together, or you can stitch along the sides with black thread for a more finished look.
Fold the strap in half and glue the two ends together to make a loop. If you want to add some sort of decorative hardware here (like a Chicago screw or stud), just punch a hole and install the screw at the beginning where the strap goes from two layers of fabric to four.
Use the template in the supply list to cut out your heart eyes and mouth from pink and black fabric, and glue the cutouts into place. This is another detail where you can simply leave it glued on or stitch over the cutouts to secure them further and give a more finished look. It's up to you!
Once the cutouts are in place, use the glue to attach the front circle to the back circle (wrong sides facing each other), and glue the end of the handle loop between the two layers to secure. Use binder clips to keep the edges together as the glue sets.
Sew around the edge of the bag with a 1/4" seam allowance (removing the clips as you go), and your bag is ready for its big debut!
I was planning on just making the heart eyes emoji face, but once Elsie saw the finished bag, she loved it so much that she requested one of the annoyed "oh good grief" faces for her. They were so fast to make, that I had hers done in no time, and it turns out they look even cuter when they have a buddy nearby!
This little wristlet is perfect for a fun date where you don't want to lug around a bulky bag all night, but you still want your essentials nearby. Think you'll give this project a try? What face would you make? xo. Laura
Credits// Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess Actions.
52 Comments
oh my gosh, what a fun idea!! these would be such cute pillows as well….gah, looks like a trip to the fabric store is in order! thanks for the inspiration!
What a hoot! These are great!!
Well this is just the cutest thing ever!
OMG I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE!
How to: get perfect winged eye-liner in 10 seconds
my niece is gonna flip when sees this!! awesome turtorial, thank you!!
This is so cool! Can’t wait to try this!
these are so cute !
This is absolutely adorable! X
Charlotte – Charlotte Sophia Roberts
This is just the cutest!!!! 🙂 I want one too! If only I’m crafty enough to create something that would look this decent. Hehe!
Wow what an awesome project! I want one!
xo
alysamadisun.blogspot.com
This is so so cute!
http://www.distinguisheddiva.com/2015/04/we-came-to-party.html
This is adorable and gives us so many ideas! We love your tutorials. Thanks!
This is so bloody cute!!
If there were any decent material shops near me I’d be staring out to buy some vinyl!!
Such a nice idea 🙂
Theeverydaylifeofrachel.blogspot.co.uk
so adorable!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
OMG. This is too cute. I NEED to make. Mine probably would not turn out as nice but your photos are definitely inspiring me to take a leap of faith and try it out 🙂
xx, Mel
http://melinspired.com
These are too cute! Great idea, ladies! So funny!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I love this idea! This is the perfect accessory to add some fun to a casual look.
Happy Monday 🙂
http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud/2015/4/27/42715
This is so cool! Love it;)
xoxo
http://blizzard-girl.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-workout-routine.html
This is so super fun and cute! I love the two sides.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
This clutch looks so amazingly fun and cute!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Ahhh, I love this! Too cute! I definitely want to make one now.
http://www.how2makehome.com
So funny! Great diy gift idea:)
Haha such a fun bag – that’s a cute idea!
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
This tutorial is so fun and cute, Laura! Thank you so much for sharing. I love novelty bags and I also think this would make a great gift for friends, so I’ll definitely be making a couple of these in the near future. 😀
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
This is such a cute and fun idea! I’ll have to try it sometime!
xoxo
Lara
seafoamanddiamonds.com
This is too perfect! It would also be super cute to make the good grief face on the other side, using the zipper as the mouth.
I like either the kissy face or the crying with laughter one. SO cute!!
OMG this is amazing!! Love this xx
Alana Says…//www.alana-says.blogspot.co.uk//Fashion and lifestyle blog
This is so cute and unique!
This is so cute http://www.hannamarielei.com
Ah I am loving the emoji trend! Its just so cute! These are a great idea!
Lol, this is so awesome! I am imagining making like 10 of these with various expressions so you pick the one that best suit your mood of the day. Totally digging this!
Juju Sprinkles
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
Who doesn’t love something thats emojified? LOVE this!
Hems
agoldentulip.blogspot.com
I’m freaking out this is AHMAZING! My go to emoji is the one with the lines for eyes and mouth when I’m giving people the what the eff expression so this is a MUST MAKE
This is so cute! you’re right – timeless pieces are important, but sometimes it’s just fun to jump on trend.
The White Corner Creative
The idea is greaaat! But we have no sewing machine sooo :((
ah, so freakin’ cute! your emoji DIY projects are always fantastic.
Mocha and Moccasins
M.
Oh my goodness these are so darling! Pleeeeeease sell these cuties in the shop! I’d buy them right up ?
Super cute!! It’s less complicated than I thought it would be, great tutorial!
I can’t handle how cute these are! I want to make one!
Such a cute idea!
Wow! Such a gorgeous clutch! I love emoji’s so much!
WritingMonique
Love this! I was thinking of making a purse, similar to the silver cat purse Laura made, but emoji style. Or I suppose it could be the same cat purse but with heart eyes? Or maybe even make a tiny emoji coin purse using this tutorial. So many good ideas!
SO Cute!
Natalie Ann xo // Petal Poppet Blogs ♥
Oh my goodness Laura!!! Where on earth did you get you kitty phone case? I love it!!!!
Love this a lot!!!! I want to do this in white patent and make Moon’s face ( from the Line Cartoon series)- since he kind of looks like an emoji. Thanks for the inspiration!
Sooo cute! Knew it was Laura’s as soon as I saw the pic/title!
omg, so cute yet awesome! Love your amazing diy’s!!!!!
http://www.kinikunormal.blogspot.com/
These are so fun! I can’t wait to try making my own!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com
This is amazing! How do you stitch those heart eyes so evenly?! Did you just go really slow? And does this thicker fabric require a different needle on your sewing machine?
Super fun!!!
this is soooo cute.