Cassette Tape Clutch
This week I’m posting a cassette tape clutch. This is a great way to recycle and reuse old cassette tapes into something new and useful. The clutch purse was crocheted using two strands of black cassette tape with one strand of Lion Brand ribbon yarn. Next I wanted to create a lining with a zipper which I could simply insert inside my crocheted shell. I found a fantastic tutorial from Erika for a zippered pouch with a lining on Craftsters.
The tutorial found here has detailed pictures and walks you step-by-step through the process to sew a handy zippered pouch. Now you could just use the pouch alone for a cosmetic bag but I used it to slip inside my crocheted clutch shell. I then hand-stitched it in place and wallah you have a nice finished clutch.
Here are a few clickable pictures below to show you how the clutch looks up close.
Clickable
Zipper closing shown.
Clickable
Inside of the clutch.
The free crochet pattern is below. Please enjoy this recycled craft project. Each week I try and add something new and different for a fun recycled craft experience. I hope my readers have found this project beneficial.
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Free Cassette Tape Clutch Pattern
Purse measures 9 inches wide and 5 inches long.
Materials:
2 cassette tapes (90 min. black tapes)
1 ball – Lion Brand Trellis “Nightlife” ribbon yarn (115 yards)
4 – 9” x 5” fabric panels for pouch and lining
1 – 9” zipper
Hook: Metal “J” hook
Chain 28 using 2 strands of cassette tape and one strand of Lion Brand yarn.
Pattern is crocheted using 3 strands of material held together throughout project.
Round 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st of chain.
Continue around the corner and down the back side of chain by working a Hdc in every chain stitch.
Round 2 – 13
Hdc in each st around and do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc in rounds until 5 inches are completed or approx. 13 rounds. (Adjust your purse length as needed by completing more rounds.) FO and weave end under on side of shell.
Using Ericka’s tutorial on Craftsters, create this pouch with zipper. I used 4 pieces of recycled black fabric that I cut to fit inside my shell. Check your measurements to make sure the pouch fits inside the shell before making your final stitches on your sewing machine. Insert the completed pouch inside the cassette tape shell. Hand-stitch the pouch in place along the top edge of pouch and shell.
If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Dec – Decrease
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
Rnd – Round
This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy at My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2007
September 22, 2007
How AWESOME! Thanks for visiting my blog! Like your idea!
September 23, 2007
Hi Cindy,
check out the blog in the link, there is a special post to Amber from Spencer. He wants a picture of her and permission to post on the blog, his heart is going pitter patter, he might just be in love. Thanks,
September 24, 2007
wow, that is really gorgeous!! great job.
September 24, 2007
Ha I wouldn’t never thought of that neat and great job. I am all for recylcing
Great work.
September 25, 2007
i am a nature lover as well. and i love your site. i am supporting it by adding your link to mine.
by the way, thanks for the comment about steamboat willie. care to show the picture you were talking about?
September 28, 2007
I’m so glad that someone thought of something useful to do with old cassette tape. Very clever.
August 7, 2008
Somebody informed me that VCR tapes can be dangerous to one’s health – is this true? Is it safe to handle the tape with your hands – is there ANY danger in handling this material?
Any comments please?
August 7, 2008
@Romana:
I did research on the Internet on using, touching, and handling the vcr tape and couldn’t find any health concern. I don’t know for sure. I’ve tried to research this but didn’t find any for-sure answers.
After another person recently asked me again about health issues using vcr tape, I asked a chemist blog friend about this issue. He gave this link http://www.answers.com/topic/videotape to provide information about the tape. He said the base is PET which has been controversial for water bottles. But we drink water from that so? He also said that the tape can flake off with use and aging but it’s not a health problem though. One thing he did mention is that if there is dust that could be breathed in which is not advised. So I guess the bottom line is that while there hasn’t been an actual study done on crafting with vcr tapes, there shouldn’t be a health issue. But it’s like everything out there, anything at times can cause us humans problems. My suggestion is don’t use flaking tape and don’t breathe in the dust or particles if it ages. Good luck and I hope this information helps.
September 15, 2008
[...] mas já comecei a pesquisar o que as pessoas estão fazendo e encontrei algumas coisas curiosa: -Carteira de crochê feita com a fita -Uma bolsa quadrada, também de crochê -Uma carteira com zíper – minha favorita – e um tutorial [...]
September 15, 2008
[...] mas já comecei a pesquisar o que as pessoas estão fazendo e encontrei algumas coisas curiosa: -Carteira de crochê feita com a fita -Uma bolsa quadrada, também de crochê -Uma carteira com zíper – minha favorita – e um tutorial [...]
December 4, 2008
I have made a crocheted belt out of cassette tapes. Just 1 long single-crocheted strip (maybe 15 stitches wide). For a 30″ waist, used 2 strands of a 90 minute tape & that was it. Fastened with Drings and made a decorative buckle by taking a cassette apart & screwing it back together with the belt inside.
I’ve also seen an artist who crocheted a cover for her entire car (!) out of video tape. incredible.
January 15, 2009
[...] just about anything that you can dream up. How about an ipod cover (oh the irony.) Or what about an evening bag, doll clothes, granny square? The possibilities are [...]
February 18, 2009
Thanks Cindy for sharing this. This is quite an amazing idea you’ve got. I especially admired the recycled round plarn rug you made.
Tony Lee’s last blog post..How do you spot a fake Fendi handbag?
April 28, 2009
[...] clam shell clutch and regular clutch [...]
June 25, 2009
Awesome creativity! just love it! will have a go at crocheting with the cassette tape… that’ll really amaze my family!! Well done Cindy!
September 14, 2009
Hi Cindy,
I love your site and all your wonderful creations. You’re the first person I’ve seen using plastic along with regular yarn. That’s what I’ve been doing and getting great results. I have lots of leftover yarn and it’s perfect for using it in all the plarn projects I’m working on. The rugs are so soft and you’d never know the main ingredient is plastic. The house shoes really keep the feet warm in the winter. I’m working on a vest now, using a strand of silky yarn and a strand of fun fur.
I will stop by and check your site again. Thanks,
Conny
Conny Hubbard´s last blog ..Name Change
September 23, 2009
I used to work in broadcasting and handled similar tape on a daily basis. We cut and spliced it.
I was wondering too. I don’t know if there’s lead in that, but I think it might be fine.
I’ll be making some projects and hitting up some radio friends for old cassettes if I don’t have enough!!!