DIY // Flag Clutch

When you're a crafter, you probably spend just as much time in the dollar store as you do shopping for groceries. Since Australia Day is coming up, I've been finding these handheld flags in just about every dollar store and they're the perfect size for a clutch. Of course, you don't have to use it as a clutch - it works pretty well as a tablet case as well. Read on for this super simple DIY!

What you'll need:

• 4 handheld flags (I removed them from their poles)
• Matching thread and needle
• Zipper

I decided to use 4 flags instead of 2 because they weren't completely opaque. Doing this would make the bag non-see through, and give it the added advantage of being more rigid. It also gave me the option of placing a sheet of foam-sheet-thingy (the name escapes me at the moment) in between the layers to turn this into a tablet case - if that's what you want to make, then by all means!

1. First of all, remove the white strip on the side. Once they are off, place the flags neatly on top of one another, with the bottom two flags facing up normally (i.e. right side up) and the top two flags facing down (i.e. wrong side up). This is to make sure that when you flip it inside out, the flags are facing the right way.

Notice how the top two flags are backwards, while the bottom two flags should be the right way up.

2. Line up the flags by their patterns, not their edges - the edges are usually roughly cut and probably won't match. Since these flags are translucent, you'll be able to tell if the patterns aren't matched, so take out your pins and make sure the flags don't budge! Once you're satisfied, sew down the left, right and bottom sides to secure.

 3. Flip the clutch inside out (so the right side is facing outwards) and attach the zipper. This was an extra slow step for me, since I hand-sew everything (I don't know how to use a sewing machine... yes, it sucks). The good thing is that I salvaged this zipper from somewhere else, which made me extra smug to use it here (recycling ftw).

And you're done! It's a super easy DIY that can be done in an afternoon (or faster, if you use a sewing machine) and gives you something to carry to all those Australia Day BBQs. Love it!

Let me know what you think of this DIY in the comments below!