Quilted Cell Phone Clutch with Kraft-Tex

I took a wee break from making quilts to sew something 3-D!

I can make quilts in my sleep, but 3-D sewing makes my palms sweaty! On the rare occasion that I do sew something 3-D, I follow the directions to the letter. However, after I had the idea for this clutch, I couldn't find a single pattern or tutorial for one like it, so I had to make it up! I argued with myself and made some serious attempts to abandon the idea, but I just couldn't shake it. I had to try it! (I did use this tutorial and this one as a guide moral support, but ultimately my mistakes are all my own.)

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C&T Publishing, the owner of Kraft-Tex, sent me three rolls of it to try. Kraft-Tex is a thick paper, but looks, feels, and wears like leather! But it sews, cuts, and washes like fabric! It is seriously an amazing substrate that I have not ever used before! It comes in lots of colors, and you can sew it, stamp it, paint it, fold it, draw it, and even run it through the printer! You can get it washed (looks mottled or like leather) or unwashed (looks smooth like cardstock or paper). I chose prewashed black, natural, and turquoise rolls.

For this project, I chose the black Kraft-Tex, Art Gallery Fabrics' solid Mirage Blue fabric, 50wt Aurifil #1148, and Thermore batting by Hobbs. I was excited to be able to use my Cricut for the cutting!

My initial inspiration for the clutch was a black lace doily. When searching for a clipart image to use, I discovered a treasure trove of wedding invitations that have intricately cut envelopes! (Squirrel!) This Etsy shop has so many amazing designs! I purchased this one, and immediately loaded it into my Cricut program to cut! (I made just a couple changes to the pattern in order to make room for the magnetic snap closure.)

I have never worked with the Kraft-Tex before, so I wasn't sure what setting to use on the Cricut. I started with "cardstock." I also pressed the Kraft-Tex flat first since it had a bit of a memory of the curl from being rolled up in the package

Fourth times a charm! I had the best luck with one "click" past fabric on the cutting dial.

I was giddy with excitement for how well it turned out!

The cuts are clean and crisp. I even tried ripping one of the duds to test how it would hold up, and I couldn't even get it to rip! I am pretty darn impressed with it!

Now that I knew the flap of the clutch was going to work, I cut out the rest of the pieces. I added Thermore batting to the front and back pieces of the clutch, and added Pellon 809 to the pocket and interior lining pieces.

I made all of the measurements up. I knew I wanted my phone to fit inside, so that was the how I decided on the size.

Using my favorite air soluble pen, I drew a 1/2" cross-hatch grid on the two pieces with batting.

I quickly quilted the pieces using the 50wt Aurifil thread and my walking foot.

The lines were faint near the end, but they lasted until I was done!

I took the picture below just before putting in a magnetic snap closure.

At this point, I stared at all the pieces for a good long while before mustering up enough gumption to sew it together.

I first sewed it thinking I would just turn it right side out through a 2" opening in the side. But after sewing it, I realized this would be much harder than I imagined. I ripped out the stitches along the top, and decided I would just top stitch the flap into place.

Easier said than done! This actually took three tries to catch the edge on the other side at the same time without sewing through the pocket that's on the other side too.

But it worked!!

(If you look closely at the picture above, you'll see the stitches aren't *perfect.* But perfection is overrated! It's finishing things that counts!)

My husband cut off the prongs on the other half of the snap closure, and I hot glued it onto the Kraft-Tex flap. 

I pressed the Kraft-Tex gently along the top edge where it curls over to the front in order to give it the memory of being closed.

I am so excited for how it turned out!

There are two "pockets" inside. I wanted one for my phone and one for money/ID/credit cards.

It's the perfect size!

The back shows the quilty texture...

...and the front shows off the design!

I can't wait to take my new clutch to dinner!

It's a subtle way to show off my quilty love without wearing a quilting shirt to a fancy dinner!

Have you ever used Kraft-Tex? What would you make with it?




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