Two Ways To DIY A Neon Clutch

Paint or sew a fabulous fluorescent bag with these easy how-to guides.

Bright is the new black nowadays, and what better way to punch up an outfit than with a neon statement clutch? A couple of stylish crafters offer two unique approaches to creating a dazzling accessory.

First, Sibylle from Funkytime stitches up a stylish clutch using an old dress and garment bag.

Here's how she made her awesome little purse.

Gather supplies. You'll need: neon fabric for the front side of the bag (the clutch shown is made from an old dress), neon fabric for the back, a garment cover, bias tape, and a sewing machine.

Fold the garment cover in half so the zipper is on top.

Fold it again from right to left. Trace the curve of the right side onto the left side.

Cut out your shape. Sew the bias tape onto the cut area.

Using the garment bag as a guide, cut your fabrics (the front and back). Leave a 2 cm seam allowance.

Lay the front fabric on top of the garment cover. Attach with needles to hold the fabric in place, and then the fabric to the top of the garment cover, sewing as closely to the edge of the fabric as possible. Repeat for the back fabric.

If you like, make a tassle out of neon string and attach it to the zipper.

And there you have it — looks gorgeous with a simple white dress.

Next up, Ren from All The Good Girls Go to Heaven turns a clear box into a bright accessory.

Here's how she did it.

Collect your supplies. You'll need a clear hinged box (approximately 7 1/3" 5 1/2"), neon nail polish or neon acrylic paint, and clear nail polish. That's it!

Paint a stripe down the middle of your box.

Continue painting. To recreate the design shown, paint triangles, then stripes in the background, then more triangles and stripes, creating a mirror image.

Once you've created the desired central motif, allow to dry. And be sure to paint in a well-ventilated area, taking breaks every 20 minutes or so.

Fill in the remaining area with a background color. In the clutch shown, that would be neon lime green. If you used acrylic paint, finish it off with a coat of clear nail polish and allow it to dry overnight.

And you're done! A sturdy little clutch that's bright as can be.

Wear it with a neon top for a striking summertime outfit.

Pippa Armbrester is a quilt maker and designer. Follow her adventures in quilting and life on her website.