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 in each 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
Filed under: Cassette Tape Crafts, Crocheted Bags on September 22nd, 2007
How AWESOME! Thanks for visiting my blog! Like your idea!
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,
wow, that is really gorgeous!! great job.
Ha I wouldn’t never thought of that neat and great job. I am all for recylcing
Great work.
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?
:o)
I’m so glad that someone thought of something useful to do with old cassette tape. Very clever.
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?
@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.