DIY Recycled Clutch Bag from a VHS Case

This DIY recycled clutch bag started with something most people toss without a second thought: an old VHS case from my childhood movie collection. The result is a fully functional purse with a hinged lid, a built-in snap closure, and a chain handle. I’ve been making upcycled projects for years, from a cardboard storage box to a toilet-paper-roll pumpkin box, and this clutch is my favorite because you actually carry it out the door.

The whole project takes 1 to 1.5 hours and uses basic supplies you likely already own. The most involved part is cutting the felt lining to fit snugly inside the case, but the step-by-step photos make the measurements clear. If VHS cases are hard to find near you, I’ve listed several easy-to-source alternatives in the materials section below.

Recycled Clutch Bag at a Glance

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Cost: Low (most materials are thrifted or already at home)
• Ages: 13+
• Best for: Upcycling, fashion crafts, one-of-a-kind gifts

What You Need to Make a Recycled Clutch Bag

Materials

• 1 rigid plastic VHS video case (not the cardstock sleeve type): the clamshell kind with a built-in snap closure. Check thrift stores, garage sales, or estate sales. If VHS cases are hard to source near you, good alternatives are: a rigid plastic pencil box with a snap or magnetic closure, a hard-shell makeup palette case from a thrift store, or a DVD multi-disc case. Any rigid hinged plastic shell with a snap or magnetic closure adapts to this method with the same steps.
• Felt (for the inner lining): enough to cut one piece spanning the full inner surface (front panel + spine + back panel) plus two matching side panels. Wool-blend felt holds its shape better than basic craft felt, but either works.
• Decorative fabric (for the outer covering): choose something with body, like cotton canvas, faux leather, or a thick brocade. Thin or stretchy fabric is harder to glue down flat on plastic.
• Gold spray paint (optional): for painting the exterior of the case before covering it, so any small gaps at the edges don’t show raw plastic.
• Old hair band and one round bead (optional): to make a simple button loop for extra closure security beyond the built-in snap.
• Old purse chain handle: salvage one from a bag you’re retiring, or pick one up at a thrift store. You need two attachment points, one on each short side of the case.

Tools

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks: the main fastener throughout this project. A low-temp gun is gentler on felt; a high-temp gun bonds more firmly to plastic. Either works.
• Sharp fabric scissors: clean cuts through felt and fabric make the lining fit much better than ragged edges.
• Ruler and pencil: for marking the felt measurements accurately before cutting.
• Awl and craft wire: for piercing the plastic case and threading the chain handle through to secure it.

How to Make a Recycled Clutch Bag from a VHS Case

Step 1: Choose the Right Case and Clean It

VHS cases come in two types: a rigid plastic clamshell and a cardstock paper sleeve. You need the plastic one. The clamshell already has a hinge and a built-in snap closure, which is what gives this purse its structure and its latch.

Pull the tape out of the case and set the cover art aside if you want to frame it later. Wipe the inside and outside of the plastic with a damp cloth and let it dry completely before you glue anything to it.

Step 2: Measure the Inside and Cut the Main Felt Piece

Open the case flat on your work surface and measure the total inner surface from the front panel, across the spine, all the way to the back panel. Cut one piece of felt to match that measurement. This is the main lining that covers the inside of the clutch in one continuous sheet.

Once it is cut, mark the spine width on the felt with a pencil. That line is your reference for positioning the side panels in the next step, so make it visible.

Step 3: Measure and Mark the Side Panels

Measure the width of the case, which becomes the height of the clutch when it stands upright. Standard VHS cases run about 4.5 inches. Place a new piece of felt beside the spine-marked area on your main piece, then mark it to show the spine measurement with about 1 cm extra on both sides, plus the full case width.

The extra centimetre on each side lets the panel wrap slightly around the inner edges so the seam doesn’t leave a gap when you glue everything together.

Step 4: Cut the Second Side Panel and Check All Three Pieces

Cut a second side panel to match the first. Lay all three pieces flat as shown in the photo to confirm they are consistent before you start gluing. It is much easier to trim a millimetre now than to unpick dried hot glue later.

Step 5: Glue the Three Pieces Into One Inner Lining

Apply hot glue to join the side panels to the main piece, working from one outside edge inward. Glue in short sections rather than one long run. Hot glue cools fast, and if it sets before you press the felt down, the seam lifts and stays lumpy.

Tip: Hold each section down for about 10 seconds before moving on. You’ll end up with cleaner, flatter seams throughout.

Step 6: Glue the Lining Inside the Case

Apply hot glue directly to the plastic case rather than to the felt. Glue grips plastic better than it grips felt. Start from one side and work along the outer edges and spine. You don’t need to cover the entire inner surface; the edges and spine carry all the stress when the case opens and closes.

Once the lining is pressed in, open and close the case several times to confirm it still snaps shut cleanly. If the felt is too thick at the hinge and stops the case from closing, trim a small amount from the spine edge until it does.

Step 7: Cover the Exterior and Attach the Handle

Glue your decorative fabric over the entire outer surface of the case, working section by section. The spine is where wrinkles tend to collect, so slow down there and press the fabric flat firmly as you go. If your fabric is thin or slippery, apply a coat of spray adhesive to the case first to give the hot glue a better grip.

Use the awl to pierce two small holes on each short side of the case. Thread craft wire through each hole and through the end link of the chain, twist the wire tightly several times, then tuck the loose tail flat so it won’t scratch the interior.

The built-in VHS snap works as your clasp as-is. To add a button loop for extra security, loop a short piece of old hair band through a round bead, knot it, then glue the knot to the inside of the front flap. Glue a button on the outside face to line up with it.

Tips for Your Recycled Clutch Bag

• Choose a medium-weight fabric with some structure for the exterior. Thin polyester or jersey bubbles when hot-glued to plastic and is very hard to smooth once set. Cotton canvas, faux leather, and heavy brocade all behave well.
• To add a small interior pocket, cut a felt rectangle, fold it in half, and hot-glue three sides to the inside of the back panel before you install the full lining.
• Spray paint the case gold or silver before covering it so any tiny edge gaps read as a trim detail rather than bare plastic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this clutch bag without a VHS case?

Yes. Any rigid plastic case with a hinged lid and a snap or magnetic closure works the same way. Good alternatives include a hard-shell makeup palette, a rigid plastic pencil box, or a DVD multi-disc case. The steps are identical; just adjust your felt measurements to fit the new dimensions.

What fabric works best for covering the outside of the purse?

Medium-weight fabrics with some body are the easiest to work with. Cotton canvas, faux leather, and thick brocade all stay flat when hot-glued to plastic. Avoid thin polyester, jersey, or stretch fabric; these bubble up once the glue sets and are nearly impossible to smooth back down.

How do I attach the chain handle securely?

Pierce two small holes on each short side of the case with an awl, thread craft wire through each hole and through the end link of the chain, then twist the wire tightly and tuck the tail flat inside the case. Wrap the wire a few extra rounds if the chain feels loose. This method holds well for everyday carry with light contents.

Will the felt lining stay glued to the plastic?

Yes, provided you apply hot glue to the plastic rather than to the felt. Plastic gives the bond a harder surface to grip. Focus the glue on the outer edges and the spine, which take the most movement when the case opens and closes, and you won’t need to coat the entire interior.

How long does this project take?

Most makers finish in 1 to 1.5 hours, including measuring and cutting. The lining construction and the exterior covering are the two longest stages. Budget a bit of extra time on your first attempt while you work out the felt proportions for your particular case size.

More Storage and Utility Crafts to Try

• Easy to Make Recycled Spoon Fairy for Kids
• 3 Complete DIY Earring Holder Tutorials for Beginners
• Easy DIY Clay Jewelry Dish
• How to Make Paper: Easy Method of Making Recycled Paper
• Toilet Paper Roll Fairy House Lantern

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