How to Create a Fashionable Zip Clutch Bag From Innertubes and Curtains

Old bicycle innertubes are a fun and durable material that can be used to create lots of cool items once you know how to work with this material. This is the third in a series of projects that use innertubes as the base material. If you are new to sewing you may want to start with a Koozie and in no time you will be creating more complex items.

For this project I used 2 inner tubes for the bag. I selected thin tubes and used an old curtain for the lining.
I added a scrap piece of leather patch with a design I burnt on using a CNC laser.
You can skip the leather patch or choose another material to sew on making your bag unique. 

Don't want to make one feel free to order a bag from my etsy shop at; 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/181862232/handmade-water-resistant-stylish

Prepare the innertubes by cutting them lengthwise.
Most tubes have lines you can follow to make a straight cut. 

If you are lucky the innertube will just have white powder inside that easily rinses off. 
In some cases a yellow gook may be present that was used to perevent punctures.
Although not so pleasing to look at this material easily rinses off. 

Decide on the width of your clutch and add about 2" for seam allowance.
For this example we have a 4" clutch so 6 pieces were cut each to 6".

For this example I used the industrial walkingfoot sewing machine at the Techshop in San Francisco.
Theoretically you can use a regular sewing machine just make sure to adjust the tension to so the material does not bulge.
It may take some experimenting.

No need to "lock" the stitch by sewing in reverse since the panels will be cut to size and locked after the lining is added.

For this example I used old curtains for the lining.
Cut the lining a little larger than the size of your innertube panel.

Next sew the lining to each of the two panels.
I folded the lining over the inner tube panels on one side of each panel to create a nice texture.

Clean up the edges by cutting off any excess leaving at least 1/2" from your stich.
I used a paper cutter to show you how thin and easy to cut innertubes are.

Attach both panels with bobby pins to either side of a zipper.
Make sure the zipper is facing up.

Backside of zipper is on the same side as inside lining (as in picture).
Sew the zipper in place.

Once the zipper is sewn in fold the panels over inside out (lining showing).
Keeping the panels aligned sew the remaining three sides together.

Cut off any excess leaving about 1/4 inch from the seams.

Reuse Materials | Respect Our Planet

The only items bought new were the zipper and thread.

I made it at the TechShop San Francisco.
http://www.techshop.ws/