Craftsy Class review of Mix and Match Clutch Bag Techniques
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Craftsy Month – Mix and Match Clutch Bag Techniques

Craftsy Class review of Mix and Match Clutch Bag TechniquesThis post is part of Craftsy Review Month on Sew Sweetness. To see a schedule of all posts, click here! Today’s post is from Sheri of Lil’ Munkee Designs. Please visit Sheri on her Facebook and Instagram!

Hi I’m Sheri, founder and creator of Lil’ Munkee Designs.  I was so excited (and a little bit surprised) when Sara asked me to write a guest post for her, as I’ve never written a blog post before so bare with me.  I’ve been sewing and making bags for nearly 10 years, so when asked to choose a craftsy class for review I wanted to pick one that I’d learn from and would hold my interest.  The class that stood out to me was Mix & Match Clutch Techniques hosted by Janelle MacKay.  The clutches shown on the class photo are stunning and caught my eye right away!

Craftsy Class review of Mix and Match Clutch Bag Techniques

The class is split into seven lessons ranging from 14 to 23 minutes long.  There are also class materials and pattern templates to download and print out.  Janelle is a wonderful host and I really enjoyed her easy going attitude and witty remarks, she made the classes more interesting and fun to watch.  The lessons are split up into easy to follow categories and well labelled so going back and forth between steps is absolutely no problem.  This was my first craftsy class and I really love the platform and ease of navigation.

MM #2

The first lesson is all about the options available with the class and how you really can mix and match the pattern pieces and techniques to make many different clutches, all with different looks, dressing them up or down with different fabrics, hardware, shapes and techniques.  I really enjoyed the overview and advice on using fancy fabrics, and it gave me the courage to tackle some bridal satan (oops, I mean satin!) which I’ll show at the end of the post!  In lesson two you dive right into interior pockets, creating a unique multifunctional pocket that includes card slots and a lipstick holder.  This lesson includes a shortcut for a pleated card pocket that I will be using in ALL of my future wallets and bags that require card slots!  The next lesson is all about the zipper pocket.  Janelle takes the fear out of zip installation and shows how to create a fully finished zip pocket with ease.

MM #3

Next you move onto the assembly of the clutch parts and installing magnetic snaps.  The ingenious design of the pattern is well thought out and beginner friendly.  Many sewists are not comfortable with curves – the results of this pattern look very curvy but guess what?  NO sewing curves, even on final assembly!  Then comes lesson six – my favourite – BAG BLING!  I love my hardware and feel it really takes any project up a notch.  I’m a little bit afraid of twist locks, I mean who wants to cut right through a project that is near completion and make a hole?  With the directions and tips from this class I feel like I can take a deep breath and just do it.  My next one will have a twist lock for sure!  The last lesson goes through strap variations as well as ruching!  More tricks!  More techniques I’ve never tried!  Here’s my projects:

MM#4 MM#5

Here’s my projects!! I went straight for my Avantgarde (by Katarina Roccella) stash for the ruched front!  I love the colour palette of this line and the blue is over the top gorgeous – perfect for a fancy clutch.  I will use this ruching technique again and again, it was so easy and has wonderful results!  I added the beautiful metal edge trim and fancy chain strap (both from Emmaline bags)

MM6 MM 7 MM8

Then there’s the satin…  I have always been apprehensive about using bridal satin, it has never been my friend.  I used a few of the tips from the classes and voila!!!  Bridal clutch!  I really love how it turned out, I used regular bridal satin, extra interfacing and the fun and feminine interior print is from Sara Lawson’s Fantasia collection. The addition of gold metal trim and a gold chain strap (both from Emmaline Bags) really brings this clutch to a level that is wedding worthy.

MM9 MM10

I really enjoyed watching the Mix & Match Clutch Techniques classes and loved their short length.  I have a very busy household but taking 15-20 minutes for myself is doable and I found each one inspiring.  By the end of the class I was so excited with many ideas as to what I wanted to make, but was also sad it was over because I enjoyed them so much!  I ended up making two clutches for this review because I couldn’t not make a ruched front AND I had to attack that satin!  I truly feel that beginner, intermediate and even some advanced sewists would benefit from taking this class and truly enjoy it!  Thanks for reading my very first blog post (all the way to the end!!!)

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16 thoughts on “Craftsy Month – Mix and Match Clutch Bag Techniques

  1. Gina B. says:

    I took this class and loved it — will definitely make one after the BOMC is over!

  2. Annie unrein says:

    Great review and your bags are stunning! I can’t wait to try my hand at these bags, too. They look amazing!

    1. Sheri F says:

      Thank you so much Annie!

  3. Marsha Law says:

    I am truly impressed, Sheri. Your bags never fail to blow my mind.

    1. Sheri F says:

      Making me blush!! Thanks Marsha 🙂

  4. Thanks so much for choosing my class for the review. I am so glad to hear that you loved it and I LOVE your projects. Thanks for that lovely screen shot of me, by the way – but my face is always contorting in some way so I supposed that was the best you could get 😉 Love it!

    1. Sheri F says:

      Blue Steel….
      Thank you Janelle! I loved your class!

  5. Sue Reed says:

    This was awesome Sheri 🙂 I have the class saved and just need to set myself in and go for it 🙂 You’re clutches are amazing and has me excited that I can do it too!!

    1. Sheri F says:

      Thanks Sue!!! It’s a wonderful class 🙂

  6. Linda says:

    Can’t wait to get started when I have some free time. They look amazing

    1. Sheri F says:

      It’s a great class, you’ll enjoy it for sure!

  7. Elizabethdx says:

    Your bags are beautiful, and your post is just great!
    I took this class and loved it too.

    1. Sheri F says:

      Thanks Elizabeth!!

  8. Joanne says:

    I loved the classes. Your white clutch is stunning and was my inspiration to make one in black satin. I love the blue one with the ruching, I am going to try that next.

  9. Great review. This class is definitely on my list!!

    1. Sheri F says:

      It’s a great class! You will love it 🙂

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