Quilted Cell Phone Clutch with Kraft-Tex

Friday, September 20, 2019

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


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

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.)


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.

Kraft-Tex

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!

Cutting Kraft-Tex with a Cricut
Thermore batting by Hobbs

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.)

Cutting Kraft-Tex with a Cricut

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

Cutting Kraft-Tex with a Cricut

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

Cutting Kraft-Tex with a Cricut

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

Kraft-Tex clutch flap

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!

Kraft-Tex clutch flap

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.

Quilted clutch 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.

Quilted clutch pieces

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

Cross-hatch quilting

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

Cross-hatch quilting with Hobbs Thermore batting and Aurifil thread

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

Cross-hatch quilting with Hobbs Thermore batting and Aurifil thread

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

Cross-hatch quilting with Hobbs Thermore batting and Aurifil thread

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

Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

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.

Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

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.

Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

But it worked!!


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

(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. 


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

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.


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

I am so excited for how it turned out!


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

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


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

It's the perfect size!


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

The back shows the quilty texture...


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

...and the front shows off the design!


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

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?




Linking up with To-Do Tuesday, Colour & Inspiration Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle & Thread Thursday, Put Your Foot Down, Free Motion Mavericks, Finished or Not Friday, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop, TGIFF, Beauties Pageant, Peacock Party, and Off the Wall Friday.

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21 comments:

  1. You did a beautiful job on your new clutch! I've never used Kraft-Tex, but it really looks like a fun product to create with.

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  2. Brilliant, Laura!!! The doily lacy cut is so beautiful. Great job figuring it all out from scratch!!! I haven't used Kraft-Tex, but I like the idea of it looking like leather.

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  3. Wow, that turned out really well. Such a pretty little clutch, and useful. Thanks for taking us through the steps. I think Kraft-Tex will be added to my list of sewing supplies to watch for.

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  4. Well, this sure turned out fun! I haven't used Kraft-Tex; never really understood what to use it for. That is a lovely clutch!

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  5. Fantastic, Laura: I looked at the photo and thought "Did she use a knife?" What a great idea to make this dressy little clutch. I've never worked with Kraft-Tex but I think it would be awesome to try. Maybe a Cricut would be good to have, too.

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  6. I haven't used Kraft Tex but I think I may, someday. I love what you did and am thinking I would love to try that with ultrasuede!

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    1. Thanks for the TGIFF linkup too! Just did a lesson with someone on Brother Scan N Cut. I am ready, but just need to be need to figure out how to have it in 2 places...won't be back with it until Wednesday and I am dying to get to it!

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  7. I'm really amazed at how perfect that Kraft-Tex looks after being cut. The edges are all so precise. The clutch looks so fancy and you'd never know that you're nervous about 3-D sewing :)

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  8. Hi Laura! What a pretty finish. The best part, I think, is that lacy cutout! What a great job you did on that. And Kraft-Tec looks like a gem of a product. I've never tried using it but it does make me want to get a Cricut. Thanks for linking up today. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  9. Laura, This clutch purse is stunning!

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  10. This is a great application for Kraft-Tex. I've never used it but this is giving me ideas. I love the look of the cut out!

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  11. I have never used Kraft-Tex, but I am inching closer to a possible dive into the water! Cute clutch, perfect design.

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  12. Wow! I hadn’t heard of Kraft-Tex until now. What amazing stuff. Your clutch is fabulous! I had to laugh about your comment regarding sewing 3-D things. I can so relate!

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  13. Wow!! I have never heard of Craft tex - but I sure love how you used it in your clutch!! Way cool!

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  14. This is so, so pretty. I don't have a circut cutter, but I do have a Big Shot die cutter. I wonder if I could use it on that. It is intriguing and something I would like to try. I have said it to my Pinterest page.

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  15. How gorgeous your little clutch is! Love the colour and as for the black lace doily cut out, it is the perfect finishing touch. LOVE the doily cut out!

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  16. Amazing project, thanks for sharing so much detail on how you did it. And thanks for linking to Colour & Inspiration Tuesday.

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  17. Very clever and so beautiful. You were very persistent with this one and it paid off! Kudos to you! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  18. Hi Laura, that was truly impressive. I'm really sorry to be so late in commenting but thanks for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks and your clutch will be the featured piece. Thanks! I hope that you were able to try out your clutch - it deserves a really nice dinner :-)

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