a girl's emergency clutch

we don't know about you but there are lots of days when we feel like we live in the car.

from morning till dinner time....it's go, go, go.

if you can relate, go grab yourself a potholder.

you need one of these babies!

it's a girl's emergency clutch!

(cute potholder turned emergency wallet)

you know...a catch all!

for the things you always need....but never have.

it's perfect for your car or purse or boat or camper.....

so, let's get started!

here's what you're going to need:

(just a few things really)

1.  a square potholder (ours are from Target...the Dwell line)

2.  a large button

3.  about. 6" grosgrain coordinating ribbon

4.  10 snack size zip lock baggies

5.  tape

6.  coordinating embroidery floss

7. sewing machine

step 1:  lay your potholder inside up (make sure your pocket is at the top, either on the inside of the wallet or the outside).  place one zip lock on the right side (zipper toward the  right edge) and place a piece of tape on the top and bottom (to keep the baggies from moving).  place another zip lock on the left side overlapping the first (with the zipper toward the left edge) and tape the top and bottom.  continue alternating sides and overlapping the bottoms of all ten baggies (5 on each side).

step 2:  now that the baggies are securely taped in place, sew a zig zag stitch all the way down the middle of the potholder (which should also be down the middle of the overlapped baggies).

step 3:   fold your potholder in half to make your wallet and find your middle to sew on your button.  we used yellow embroidery floss...just to make a statement.

step 4:  using your 6" piece of grosgrain ribbon, fold in half lengthwise and sew all the way down.  (you can use a thinner ribbon or even a hair elastic...this is just what we had on hand).  then, on the backside of your wallet, make a loop with your ribbon large enough to fit over your button and sew down.

and...there you have it!

(back)

(front)

a few ideas of things to put in your emergency clutch:

advil or tylenol

tums

band aids/first aid cream

gum/mints

tooth picks/floss

hair elastics

eye drops

cough drops

emergency medication

matches

feminine products

an emergency mimi (pacifier)

cash

spare house key

nail file

tweezers

pen and pencil (for that cute front pocket, of course!)

of course, you'll need to make a few of these...

one for you, one for your child's teacher and one for each of those special mothers in your life.