I realized I’d never posted this technique here on my own blog so I thought I’d put it up here also ~ for all you Minaudiere fans out there! Instead of just covering your clutch with fabric, you will “seal” the fabric for a shiny, more durable finish.

DIY Fabric Covered Clutch Purse Tutorial:

Today we will show you how to make a fabric covered clutch purse using Mod Podge (Love it!) and my DIY Minaudiere Set. The best part of this project is that the actual crafting time is quick and easy, but produces a professional looking clutch!

To get started, choose your set – The Classic Minaudiere or The Heart Minaudiere. Today we will be working with the Heart set.

The sets include the front & back shells, a cutting pattern, instructions, and the metal clutch frame.

You will also need the following:

Step 1.  Cut your fabric per pattern into a heart shape. You can use the same fabric on the front and back or switch it up with a coordinating fabric on either side. I am using 2 coordinating fabrics from my first line of fabric, Enchanted Damask.

Step 2.  The Minaudiere shells in my kit are made from a sturdy black molded plastic. We suggest using the optional white primer spray paint (I prefer Kilz Spray Primer) to spray the shells white due to the fact that quilting weight cotton fabrics tend to appear bright and crisp on top of the white background.

Be sure to account for drying time if you plan to spray your shells white. I let mine dry for around an hour – drying time varies per brand.

Step 3.  Set out a sheet of wax paper for your work surface. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to one shell. Try to keep this first layer as thin and smooth as possible while leaving no bare spots on the shell – we want to avoid Mod Podge seeping through the fabric, but also avoid any loose spots. 

Step 4.  Gently lay the fabric over the coated shell. Starting in the center and working towards the edges, smooth and press the fabric onto the shell. Take care to smooth out any air pockets that form.

When you get to the edges there will be a few creases and small folds in the fabric. This is normal and can’t be completely avoided, however, you can minimize the appearance of these creases in your finished bag by manipulating the fabric so that the creases start as close to the edge as possible. By the time your bag is in its frame the creases will be mostly hidden.

Repeat Step 4 on with the second shell. Allow both shells 10-15 minutes to “set” so the fabric doesn’t move around in Step 5.

Step 5. Carefully trim the edges of the fabric covered shells using your scissors. Take care when cutting the “creased” portions that you don’t overcut. These creased areas and small folds might need a small touch up with the Mod Podge so that they are totally stuck down.

Notice that one of the shells has a small indent near the top. Trim carefully around the indent. Go ahead and touch up any spots that need to be secured around the edges with the Mod Podge.

Step 6. Apply a second coat of Mod Podge to the fabric covered shells. This coat can be a little thicker than the first coat. Allow to dry completely.

Step 7.  Once totally dry, spray the finished shells with the clear acrylic spray and again dry completely according to spray acrylic’s directions. 

Step 8.   Almost finished!  Locate the shell with the indent. This shell will fit over the locking mechanism – the indent allows room for the bag to open and close properly.

It is a good idea to take the time to do a pre-fit of the shells into the frame and get comfortable with popping the shells in and out, before you add the glue. The shells will fit snugly.

After a pre-fit, place a line of Beacon 527 glue inside the channel of the metal frame. Do not put glue into any area where it might seep thru, such as the hinged areas. Also, do not put any glue near the locking mechanism.

Step 9. Working quickly, add the shells into the frame – double checking again that the indented shell goes into the side with the locking mechanism.  Once the shells are in the frame, weigh the whole clutch down with a book or other object to ensure that the shells are fully immersed in the glue filled channel. Allow to dry overnight if possible.

Add an optional purse chain and get ready for compliments on your darling new Minaudiere!

The possibilities are endless!

Many thanks!

~Ellen

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I’m so flattered that not only is the bag featured on the cover made using my Flight Pattern fabric line, but they have used my Bon Vivant Bag Pattern as well!

And can we talk about the embroidery down the center?  It’s just beautiful!

The talented author of the article is Sara Boughner Gallegos, who we think picked the perfect style and colors!

Be sure to pick up a copy so you can read her creative how-to on adding machine embroidery to this super bag.

Here’s a closer look:

Gorgeous!

When I created the Bon Vivant, I never thought about embroidery being added into the mix, but it fits perfectly with this bag style.

Thanks again to the wonderful staff at Creative Machine Embroidery for featuring some of my products in their awesome publication ~ and giving me a fresh dose of inspiration while doing so!

As always – Happy Sewing!

~ ellen

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Remember – if you’d like to follow my Pinterest page just click on the red button in the upper right corner of the blog. I’d love to have some new Pinterest friends!

Here are my Valentine themed favorites:

These pillows easily caught my eye – they are just so colorful and striking. They are contemporary needlepoint by Emily Peacock (article is here.)

source

I LOVE being surrounded by mobiles,  keep several on display in my home and studio! This one has such a sweet look and would be easy to make. I have a tutorial from a few years ago on how to make fabric  hearts. You could easily adjust the size up or down and make a mobile similar to this one.

How’s this for sewing room decor? It’s oh so cute and would be a unique DIY project for yourself, or your favorite sewing buddy!  This particular piece of art was mounted on a canvas – you can see more details on it on this blog.

What a sweet way to dress up a gift – Vintage Keys with ribbon threaded through the top!  This clever idea  came from an article on BHG.com with lots of ideas for DIY Valentine gifts –  you can check it out here.

Such a great reminder for a loved one on Valentine’s Day – It would become treasured forever!

I can’t get enough of the colors and inspiring phrases from artist Katie Daisy. She has an Etsy shop if you want to check out more of her beautiful work.

And of course, I have been getting in the (early) Valentine’s Day spirit here at the Studio as well.

Here is a look at some of the project’s we’ve done in the past:

Every year I put up vintage cards on the memo board.

Last year I re-styled this vintage bag and accessorized it with our Spinning Heart Charms, available in Silver or Antique Brass finish.

You can also use the charms with our Ring Blanks to make a cute Valentine’s Day themed ring. Use  heavy duty glue to attach it to the ring and you’re done!

And finally, here is a photo of  one of our handmade XOXO Heart Mini-Clutches.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,  Ellen

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Just dropping in to let everyone know that we now have our Limited Edition Heart Minaudiere Clutches up on the website!

They make the sweetest Valentine presents for a special someone ~ or yourself of course! (I know I can’t be the only one who gets a few little treats for myself on Valentine’s Day, right?!)

We had so much fun making these here in the studio. Please note that some Minaudieres have been specially coated to give the fabric a shiny and more durable finish and some are the plain fabric with a softer finish. It’s up to you!

Here are a few more examples:

Thanks for looking and as always ~ Happy Sewing!

-ellen

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In no particular order, my top ten:

#1. A cheerful green on the furniture – from my Pinterest (could not find the original source)

#2. Stacks and stacks of fabric neatly organized under a cutting table made from small shelves – from this blog.

#3. Space for 2 computers, plus lots of storage. The walls are carpet tiles and serve as a bulletin board! – From this great blog.

#4. This blog post actually shows how they came up with the inspiration for this space. Interesting!

#5. The hanging storage really caught my eye – from here. The rest of her room is equally amazing.

#6. The aqua and red combo is so striking! Go here for more details.

#7. For the Quilters – this has to be a dream space! And wow, is she ever organized! Look here for even more pictures.

#8. Nice and neutral – LOVE the table on casters! From my Pinterest.

#9. I love the bright punches of color in this space and the functionality. She has more pictures up here.

#10. And finally, I love the vintage and calm feel of this scrapbooker’s studio. More pictures are here.

There is unlimited inspiration to be found on Pinterest. If you’d like to follow me, just click the red button on the  right sidebar, then click “Follow” under my profile picture. You can also follow just certain boards by clicking “Follow” under each individual board.

~Ellen

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Wishing you the Best of the dawning New Year!

Usher in 2012 with a fun project, or handbag from my store!

Use Coupon Code  ”NewYear12”  for 25%  off your entire order.

(be sure to leave no spaces between the letters and numbers when you enter the code at check out to receive your discount!)

Happiest of  New Years!

- ellen

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This is the yummy Ginger Cookie recipe that I referred to on Facebook.
I bet every family has it’s own version!
My Grandmother Griffin is the source for ours.

You will love them, if you get them actually baked, and don’t eat the dough like I do!!

Grandmother Griffin’s Ginger Cookies
(makes about 2 dozen)

3/4 cup butter (not margarine)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2  teaspoons baking soda
1  teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves (I hate cloves, and only put 1/2 tsp!)
1  teaspoon ginger

Mix butter, sugar, egg, & molasses, then add the rest of ingredients. Roll the dough into small balls, and then roll each ball in sugar.z
Bake on 375 degrees for about 8 -10 minutes.

MERRY EVERYTHING!
HAPPINESS ALWAYS!

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(source)

Just checking in to post the latest happenings around our Studio and give a gift  to our blog readers!

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

• Ellen Medlock Studio is now on Pinterest! Click here to follow us if you aren’t already! Lots of inspiration sharing going on…

• Our newest fabric collection, Natural Graffiti, is up on the site and available for pre-order. Buy now and be first in line to receive your yummy fabric when it arrives in March 2012!

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A little bit of this…

A little bit of that….

More is more….

And then add some more!

Throw in a few vintage ornaments…

Mix in a few Natural Graffiti inspired elements…

Beribbon the branches…

Add a dash of sparkly peacock feathers…

A homemade ornament or two…

And you’ve got yourself a Merry Everything tree!

I don’t think we could fit even one more ornament on this little guy!

I’m not sayin’ we didn’t try though…

And of course we had to style the bench it is sitting on with one of our ready made minaudieres in the Vintage Santa print of course!

 I wrapped the gifts with my Enchanted Damask fabric to round out the vignette and called it done.

Merry Everything indeed…

Happy Holidays from Ellen Medlock Studio!

~ellen

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Join me to ring in 2012 over at Stitchin’ Heaven’s annual New Year’s Eve Twitter Party!

I’ll be there as a sponsor with a Charmant Clutch pattern and Supply Set up for grabs!

Niki at Stitchin’ Heaven does a fabulous job of hosting the party and it’s always a lot of fun!  If you don’t have a Twitter account you can sign up for free here and learn how to participate here. The learning curve isn’t too steep and once you start tweeting you don’t want to stop!

Hope to see you there!

~ellen

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