DIY: No-sew Leather Clutch

Kina Grannis - In Your Arms


I was strolling around a craft store and noticed they sold pieces of 8.5"x11" leather for decent prices. I've been wanting to make a clutch for a while and I felt like this was the perfect material to work with.
So I bought brown and black leather pieces as well as some leather cement glue.

I also drew a sketch of what I kind of wanted it to look like... but in reality, it was just an excuse to use watercolor pencils.

Things you'll need:

-2 pieces of leather (size depends on how big or small you want to make it)
-leather cement glue
-scissors
-binder clips
-ruler
-pencil/marker
-scotch tape
-paintbrush
-something heavy, like a textbook or two

Step 1. Gather a piece of 8.5"X11" piece of leather (or whatever material you would like) and place the part that will be the inside of your clutch face up.

Step 2. Use your paintbrush to spread glue on the longer sides of the leather.

 Step 3. Fold the piece in half and to make sure that the two pieces remain in constant contact while the glue dries...use binder clips or whatever clips you have to the clamp the sides. I waited about a day to make sure the glue really sets but I believe after an hour it was pretty good.

Step 4.  So this part requires you to figure out how you want the top piece to look. I chose an asymmetrical look. I also decided to make a pattern on a piece of paper first before I cut the leather. I scotch taped my pattern to the leather and cut away.

Step 5. Glue the inside top piece to the bottom outside piece. Once the pieces are placed together, place something heavy on top like textbooks. I first placed a glass piece over my clutch (but that's not necessary). I waited a day again, but I am pretty sure that after an hour it was fine.

Step 6. Tadaaa! You have your own leather clutch. Now you can embellish it with studs, glitter, or paint, OR leave just as it is!

Step 7. I decided to paint it because I was inspired by Chic Steals idea of painting leather with acrylic.  I used painter's tape to make my design, sanded the pieces of leather that would be painted, coated the area with water downed acrylic, and finished it off with a couple final coats of just acrylic paint.

I really like how it looks...the only thing I can't figure out is which way it looks better, just the way it is or with this little skull embellishment. Oh, decisions!

What do you think about an ode to Alexander Mcqueen? Anyways, I will try to make an updated post with dimensions just in case you want to make a similar one! Updated, sorry for slacking on that!