The Gidi diaper Clutch becomes a Sewing Clutch!!

From a Diaper Clutch to a take your sewing project anywhere Sewing Clutch....

My testers are some of the most talented people in the sewing world. When I introduced them to the Gidi Diaper Clutch that they would be testing for the next RLR Creations pattern release their creative minds kicked in. The idea of turning the Gidi Diaper Clutch into a Sewing Clutch that would allow them to have a great way to organize and tote their sewing supplies when traveling to quilting retreats, sewing classes, or even hand sewing projects to take on the go came to life. The best part is changing the diaper changing mat into a portable ironing mat that folds right up into the clutch for compact storage. The Gidi becomes the perfect, handy portable way, to carry all your sewing supplies from scissors to a convenient way to pack and take pins, bobbins and so much more.

The Gidi Diaper Clutch pattern includes the pattern pieces needed to create a spacious ironing mat to use at your next sewing class or retreat. Simply replace the PUL fabric called for in the pattern with ironing board cover material (the silver stuff), some insul-brite, and your favorite sewing themed cotton fabric.

The test team came up with some creative ways to change the Gidi Diaper Clutch into the perfect Traveling Sewing Supply Clutch, we will check them out in a minute to give you lots of inspiration to create you the ideal sewing clutch for you, but first let’s check out the ironing mat and what you need to make it.

To make the changing mat into an Ironing Mat You will Need:

• ⅔ yard of  44” wide 100% cotton woven Silver Ironing Board cover fabric.

It’s easily found in the utility section of your favorite fabric store. It has a smooth surface and about the same weight as standard quilt cotton. You don’t want the thick pre-quilted stuff for a mat. You want the 100%x cotton type that gives a smooth, resilient surface that is durable and can be cleaned with a damp cloth if needed.

• ⅔ yard of  45” wide Insul-Bright Thermal Batting.

This is also found in the utility fabric section of your favorite fabric store. Insul-Bright is a batting made from polyester fibers with a woven substrate of a reflected metalized poly film. These fibers prevent conduction and prevent radiant energy, which means heat is reflected back to its source. This will allow you to iron on your mat and not worry about ruining a surface (such as a table) you place your mat on.

• ⅔ yard 44” wide quilting weight cotton fabric.

This fabric can be the same that you use for the top section of your Clutch.

• The Pattern Pieces at the end of the Gidi Diaper Clutch Pattern

You will assemble your ironing Mat in the same manner as per the instructions for the Gidi Diaper Clutch changing mat.

Now, let’s check out the tester’s Gidi Sewing Clutches and see some inspiration on how they modified the Gidi Diaper Clutch to suit their traveling sewing needs!

A Gidi Sewing Clutch made by Betty Hoyle-Wind.

Betty wanted her ironing board mat to contain grid lines, as her home ironing board cover does, so that she is able to measure while she presses straps or hems. She went with an ironing board cover that was large enough to cut the Ironing mat pattern piece from. Best of all, now she has a dual-purpose ironing mat that is the perfect ironing surface when she travels, and eliminates the need to tote an ironing board along.

Betty used the elastic baby wipe holder section to store her magnetic pin case and a traveling pin cushion. What a great way to store and take pins on the go!

She chose a super cute sewing them fabric for the Top Section with an all over thread pattern. Most definitely a great fabric choice for a sewing themed travel clutch!

Cindy Carter-Tartal designed her Gidi Sewing Clutch to be the ideal way to tote those sewing supplies needed to do quilt piece work.

 in order to audition her quilt block layouts before stitching the pieces together she used a quilt batting type flannel for the exterior side of her ironing mat.  I LOVE this idea, as now she can be sure her pieces are arranged correct and avoid those “oops” moments of sewing the wrong two pieces together!

 She even chose to add a small cutting mat along with her creating the back of the ironing mat to be a piecing board in order to be able to cut pieces for her quilt while away from her home sewing space. 

What an awesome idea!!

Cindy also chose to utilize the baby wipe strap holder section to store her pins while traveling with a closed pin case along with a useful pin cushion to hold her pins while she is working on her projects.

Now all she needs to do is grab her sewing machine and she is all ready for the next quilting retreat!

Next up is another Sewing Gidi created by Judy Dopita Crowell

I love the bright and fun sewing themed fabric she chose to create the clutch to carry her hand sewing projects while on the go.

The Interior Mesh Pocket is the ideal spot to safely store all little Patchwork of the Crosses pieces. Judy chose to use the baby wipe holder section to add elastic to keep all her sewing tools securely in place

Best of all the mat is detachable so when you are ready to work on your project you can simply separate the pieces!

Now, she is all ready to take her project with her no matter where she goes. The ironing mat gives her just the right amount of space to press her pieces as needed.

Lori Peoples enjoys English Paper piecing and the Gidi Clutch is the ideal way to tote her supplies while on the go.

Lori also chose to attach a small cutting mat to the ironing mat to be able to cut out her hexies.

And the  ironing mat is just the right size to press her pieces wherever with her little travel iron!

Lori chose to customize her Sewing Gidi by adding a zipper to the mesh pocket, the ideal way to safely store all those little hexie pieces! Rather than use the elastic baby wipe straps she added a clear plastic pocket for some of her sewing tools!

With her new Gidi Clutch she is ready to grab it and work on her paper piecing project anywhere. Even on a lunch break at work!

More on the Magnetic Pin Box

The pin holder cases some of us used to safely store pins in the clutch is Sew-lutions by Art Bin. It’s a slim line case that is a magnetic box so it keeps the pins securely in the case and snaps tightly closed. You can find it in most craft stores, such as Joann Fabrics.

Since the box is smaller than a pack of baby wipes it is ideal to move the elastic straps 3 ½” in from the sides rather than the what is called for in the pattern. This will keep the case securely in place when your clutch is folded up and taken with you.

Whether you take sewing classes, attend events at your local Sewing Guild, off to a sewing retreat, or like to take small sewing project with you on the go the Gidi Clutch is the ideal portable way to tote all your sewing stuff and have an ironing mat with you wherever you go!

If you decide to turn the Gidi Clutch into an on the go Sewing Clutch we would love to see it!! If you are not already a member we would love to have you join our facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/RLRCreationsSewing/