DIY Part 2 - Color Blocking

From my previous post I told you of how I took some old boots I had and cut them down to ankle booties. I've taken the suede material I cut from the original boots and I prepared and cut them down into fabric. Unfortunately I don't have plain pictures of the suede pieces, but I have every other step in the process. The inspiration for this piece came from here.

This can be done with any fabric really, but you won't have much shape unless it has some weight to it. I did it with suede and it is a little bit flimsy of a material to use as a clutch, but it works for me. I suggest picking up one of American Apparel's carry-all clutches and doing it with one of those, as it is already sewn together.

So here goes... the color block clutch I sewed from the material cut off my old boots.

Step 1: MATERIALS: here's what you need...

All painting supplies can be found at any craft store, clutch: American Apparel

Step 2:  Sew the fabric together to make a pouch and attach a zipper (only in my case, or in the case of buying your own fabric. Skip this step if you are using a pre-made clutch).

Sewing by mom

Step 3: Lay tape down in a straight line (or in any design you would like) and being painting on the white acrylic paint so that the color you chose is allowed to pop against the clutch.

Step 4: After the white coat dries, apply the color of your choosing to the fabric. I chose neon orange for my clutch. Apply as many coats as needed for your desired shade. Let dry in between coats.

Step 5: Let sit and dry overnight or at least for a few hours (to speed up the process use a hair dryer)

Here are some details of the clutch and painting handywork to show how I/my mom  sewed the left over suede material from my boots into a pouch. I left the boot buckles on and everything!

...But I wasn't quite done yet. I wanted to give it a little extra pizzaz and personality. So I added another stripe! Another stripe! In a different color!

And here is the now-finished product. Neon orange stripe with an added tan stripe for good measure. And all done on left over material from boots I cut up. I recycled boot fabric and buckles! Yep, I'm eco-friendly.

clutch: Stripes and Hunters 

(ha, see what I did there?)

To give it a gloss finish, grab a glossy acrylic spray from the craft store. It will give it a glossy finish and it will also help it to wear well. And there you have it. Now you too can be as stylish as Celine.

I really want to do this project again, so maybe next time I'm near an American Apparel I will pick up a proper clutch in a funky color and give that some jazzing up. And maybe I'll post that one as well. The update on the aforementioned booties that I cut up to make this clutch will be coming soon. Cuff and all!

Damn, I'm so eco-friendly.