Summer is normally the time when I take a break from sewing, but I did manage to get a few wallets sewn up in the last few weeks. 2 were birthday presents for upcoming family members, one was for me! I have 4 more partially finished as well. Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of the gifts... The tan wallet on the left is my new wallet, the one on the right is the first one I made, several years ago. I used the pattern below, and it's still one of my favorites. I have made a few modifications over the years though, including using a double fold binding (like for quilts), instead of a single double fold, as the pattern calls for.
One of the best tips I have to make it (and I use this on my Kindle covers too) is to use a "spacer" behind the thick beginning of the fabric edge when starting to sew. My old machine had a button you could push to lock the foot at a higher level for instances like this, but my new machine doesn't, and it took me a while to figure this out. Not the best pictures, but here's what it looks like:
I've used pieces of cardboard as well. Another tip when finishing an edge like this with a double fold binding is to leave a small "tail" on the beginning and end of the binding, then folding them under like below when starting and finishing. I've never seen this in any book either.
It's windy, rainy, with temps in the 50's today (where is summer?!), so I hope to get a bit of quilting done today! I'm also linking up with
Quilt Story's "Fabric Tuesday" link party. Come see what others have made!!
I haven't found your tip in a book, but it is common in the 'piece-working' field, so that hand work is not needed to finish a commerciallyt made item!!! Cute Wallet!
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