I love giving handmade gifts for the holidays, especially to my friends. The hard part is always deciding what to make. Tote bags are an easy go-to—everyone’s received one—but most people already have plenty of them. I prefer creating a functional bag that can hold smaller gifts and that the recipient will actually use.
To come up with something special, I partnered with Q-tips to design a creative and useful gift that’s both unique and practical: a DIY eye-shaped clutch that doubles as a makeup bag. It’s unlikely anyone you know will already own one, and it makes a memorable present.
I’ve been calling mine the “lazy eye clutch” because the drooping eyelid gives it a sleepy, relaxed look. It’s a small detail, but it makes the piece feel playful and distinctive.
Here’s how to sew your own DIY eye clutch and makeup bag.
Materials
– Sewing machine
– Thread that matches your fabric
– Mid-weight, semi-sturdy fabrics in four colors (or paint a single large piece of fabric for a custom look)
– White fabric paint
– Q-tips Precision Tips
– Scissors
– Tailor’s chalk or fabric marker to trace patterns
– Straight pins
– Zipper
Step-by-step Instructions
1. Sketch the eye shape along with the iris, pupil, and eyelid for your clutch. Make sure the eye shape is at least 2 inches smaller in diameter than the zipper you plan to use, then add a 1/2 inch seam allowance around the sketch.
2. Transfer the sketch with seam allowance onto your chosen fabric and cut out the pieces.
3. Center the pupil onto the iris (both right sides up) and position that on the large eye shape. Pin the layers together to secure them.
4. Sew the pupil and iris onto the large eye shape, stitching close to the edge. Quick tip: use the machine’s hand/balance wheel for slower, more controlled stitching if you want a neater circular shape.
5. Attach the lower portion of the eyelid to the piece you just finished by aligning and sewing it in place. You can switch to the foot pedal for regular sewing speed if preferred.
6. Install the zipper. With the zipper right side up and the clutch front right side up, fold the top edges of the unfinished eyelid and pin them onto the zipper. Topstitch the eyelid and the zipper together. Repeat this process for the back piece of the clutch.
7. Make sure the zipper is open. Place the clutch pieces with right sides facing one another and sew the bottom edge to join front and back.
8. Cut small triangular vents from the seam allowances at the bottom corners to allow the clutch to turn smoothly and gain a rounded shape. Then turn the clutch right side out through the open zipper.
9. Finish with details. To create a catchlight in the pupil, dip Q-tips Precision Tips into white fabric paint and use the pointed tip like a fine brush to dot a small highlight on the pupil. The precision tip is ideal for small, controlled marks, and you can discard the Q-tip when you’re finished rather than cleaning a brush. Allow the paint to dry completely before using the clutch.
This clutch is the perfect size for beauty essentials such as a travel pack of Q-tips, lip gloss, compact makeup, nail polish, or travel toiletries. It also works well as a compact wallet or organizer inside a larger bag.
Concept, photography and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
Sewing by Melissa Issa-Boube
Will you try making this eye clutch?
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This post is in partnership with Q-tips. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.