‘Member how I love Diet Coke? Did I mention that? Oh yeah, I mention that….on about every post. Well I do. And I can NEVER find stuff with the Diet Coke logo on it. (well…there is THIS FRIDGE with a big stinkin’ logo on it. We are STILL in love!) But all the cute t-shirts and bags and stuff always seem to be regular Coke.
So……..I decided to take matters into my own hands and make something awesome! (and I also made one for my cute friend Char’s birthday. Because she loves Diet Coke as much as I do. And then, my darling sister requested one too. And because we are besties, I obliged.)
To make this super fun gift, you’ll need:
- 2 pieces of cardboard product packaging. I, of course, used Diet Coke. But you can use any product you want. (Again…I suggest Diet Coke…did I mention I really like that? Why would you want to do anything else?) Cut them to be 8.5 in. x 7 in. I used packaging from a 24 pack of soda. It gives you a lot more design to work with. And yes….I really drink that much.
- 2 pieces of fabric for the lining. (same dimensions)
- 1 seven inch zipper. (the kind that has a stop closure; meaning it won’t separate when opened all the way)
- Heat fuseable vinyl. (I used Heat n’ Bond)
- Any trim you’d like
Start by fusing vinyl pieces to the fronts of all your materials. Follow the product’s instructions to complete this step. You should end up with 4 pieces that now have a protective plastic coating on them (PS…..heat fuseable vinyl and I might have just had an affair. Seriously….I’m DYING over how cool this stuff is!)
Next you’re going to layer your zipper and materials for sewing. Here’s the order:
- Product packaging-Right side face up
- Trim (if you have it)
- Zipper-face down…..meaning the zipper part should be touching your product packaging piece)
- Lining-Wrong side facing up
It would be extremely difficult to pin through thick cardboard. But you REALLY need this “sandwich” to stay lined up. I like to use binder clips to keep everything in place. And remove them as I sew. Just like you would pins.
- Sew (using a zipper foot) along your first “sandwich”. Go SLOW! This cardboard is thick. But your sewing machine can totally handle it. I recommend switching to a heavy duty needle though. (the kind you’d use for denim)
- Next, repeat the “sandwich” on the other side of the zipper and sew it as well.
- Flip everything over and make sure it all lines up. I had to press down on the cardboard and just get it to loosen up a bit.
- Then “sandwich” everything so it looks like a pouch. Outsides on the outside, insides on the inside. This clutch will not be “flipped” because of the cardboard. So no need to sew inside out.
Then just sew along the edge. Again, SLOWLY. I decided to round my corners. It makes for a prettier finish.
I used a 1/2″ seam allowance, and then trimmed the edges to be about 1/4″ seam. Then sewed around again, just for stability.
And Ta-Da! You’re done!
That cute little lining peeking out….squeel! I just love it.
There’s nothing like giving someone a gift you KNOW that they’ll love. This little beauty holds a can of Diet Coke. Such a fun gift. And it would hold a gift card as well. The options are endless….to let your loved one know you love them.
Of course, I’m totally keeping this one. It’s now adorning my purse and holding all my business cards! So if you wanna see it….you gotta get a card from me. 
I’m totally drinking a Diet Coke as I write this. And it has a fresh lemon squeezed in it. And seriously….I feel quite close to perfect right this second.
Linked to:
My birthday is not until April, but that does mean I have a half birthday coming up next week. Just sayin’.
Plus it’s your “unbirthday” all the other days of the year too, huh? Tee hee. I’ll see what I can do.
Love it! And have you tried Cherry Coke Zero? Now that is some good stuff!
Oh how I love this.
So if I tell you that I had a root canal today and my mouth hurts really bad and the medicine that they put in the tooth makes Diet Coke taste yucky..would you off to make me one. You know cause you love me and all?!
This is such a fabulous idea! Such a fun idea for a friend craft night. You can drink the Diet Coke and make stuff with it too. SCORE!
Hey-how does your new haircut look? Did I miss the after pic?
Ok-enough rambling. I think that this is almost as awesome as you are.
Warmest Regards….
Are you pleading sickness for a Diet Coke pouch? I like you more each day.
New haircut….I’m teaching myself to style it. Kinda different then what I’m used to. But I think I’m gonna like it.
OOOH i love it! you could totally make and sell those! … I would love one(; … hahaha Maybe a giveaway/contest or something! …(:
My birthday was eight days ago! We MUST do lunch!
Hello? Yeah we should. I’m like the wisemen. I come baring gifts.
How cute is THIS!
Love the pom~poms!
First visit to your site~popped over from SNAP!
xo
Teresa
Bainbridge Island WA
as someone with a *bit* of a diet mountain dew habit…..I am SO doing this project!!!!
that is the cutest coin purse ever!!! but I would have to argue that diet dr. pepper is the best drink around:-) I’m thinking you should make and sell these for all of us!!!
This is SO dang cute it almost makes me want to dust off my sewing machine. Almost. Could I bribe you to make me one? I will bring two cases of Diet Coke and freshly baked goodies.
Oh there’s nothing better than an ice cold DC! this is just too cute! Nice work!
Lina
Fancy Frugal Life
This is so cute! My craft addiction is also fueled by Diet Coke, sadly. I might even have all the cardboard I’d need right now!
LOL! I Love IT!!
And girl I love me some diet coke too
xo
Absolutely awesome! What a perfect gift for any Diet Coke lover (myself included). Love the pom pom trim too!
Pinning this to my “Repurposing Genius” board and sharing on Facebook.
Jenn
Awesome. I am totally loving this. Someday soon I will be making this for me! Thanks for the inspiration.
Love it! Love Diet Coke… Love the Clutch!
Love it all!
This is an awesome idea I can make them for all of the fave beverages in our household but for me it’s Diet coke or death !
No way, I’m working on a Dr Pepper project right now. But I’m fairly certain it won’t be near this cute!