Here it is. My first ever tutorial. Try it out and tell me what you think!
You will need:
assorted fabric scraps
Pellon 809 Decor Bond Fusible Interfacing
magnetic snap or other closure
2 four inch pieces of ribbon, ricrac or other decorative trim
2 – 1 3/4 inch pieces of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch wide elastic
The first step is to choose a few fabrics for this handy dandy clutch. You can pick anywhere from one fabric to twelve fabrics and anything in between. Many people have told me they agonize over fabric decisions. But this is the fun part. Pull out what you have and play with it. If it doesn’t work, you can always take it out.
Now that you’ve chosen a few fabrics, it’s time to cut. Take your choice of outer fabric and cut it 8 1/2 inches by 10″.
From the same or a different fabric, cut a 2 1/2″ by 8″ piece for the closing tab that holds the magnetic snap.
2- 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 pieces as the background of the inside
3 – 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 pieces to hold credit cards
1 – 6 x 8 1/2 piece for pocket in front of credit card holders
1 – 7 x 8 1/2 piece for checkbook holder
1 – 8 x 9 piece for center divider
1 – 7 x 8 piece for cash pocket in the center divider
1 – 6 1/2 x 8 piece for register holder of center divider
This is a good project to use up any home dec weight fabric you might have hanging around. Cut interfacing for all pieces that are not home dec weight. You may choose not to line the credit card holder pieces as this makes it easier to remove the cards. It also makes it possible for these to hold more than one credit card. Even if you use home dec weight fabric on the front, I would go ahead and line it. Iron it on with a hot iron.
Now iron some of your cut-outs in half: the three 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 pieces which will hold credit cards, the 8 1/2 by 6 pocket, the 8 1/2 x 7 checkbook holder, the 8 x 9 center piece, the 8 x 6 1/2 register holder, and the 8 x 7 cash pocket. Make sure all the pieces containing 8 1/2 inch measurements are folded so that they are still 8 1/2 inches after pressing. Make sure the pieces with 8 inch measurements are folded so that they are still 8 inches after pressing.
Take the piece you have designated as the register holder (8 x 6 1/2). With right sides together, sew a 3/8 inch seam down the raw edges. Then turn it right-side out and press.
Place the cash pocket (8 x 7) on the other end of the center divider, folded in half with the WRONG sides together and the raw edges all lined up across the bottom of the center divider. Fold the divider in half, right sides together. Everything will be contained on the inside of this sandwich: the register holder on one side, the cash pocket on the other AND the center divider will enclose these two like an envelope. Position the other two ends of the ribbons about two inches down from the center fold and sew a 3/8 inch seam down both sides.
Trim the ribbon and turn the whole conglomeration inside out. Press. It should look something like this with the register holder on the other side. Set aside.
Layer each credit card pocket on top of a background piece with the folded center facing up. You should line the first piece 3/4 inches from the top. Sew across the bottom of the pocket.
Layer the next one 1/2 inch below the first pocket and sew across the bottom of it.
Do this yet a third time. Then mark the center of your credit card holders ( 4 1/4 inches) and sew down the middle of the pockets, from top to bottom. I recommend sewing over this seam 2 or 3 times to reinforce it.
Pin your extra bottom pocket on (good for holding coupons), making the raw edges even with the bottom of this part. Set aside.
Similarly, align your checkbook pocket with the bottom of the other background piece and pin in place. Then take the 2 elastic pieces and fold into a circle like this.
Sew across just the top end of the elastic, catching both ends and leaving a nice loop to hold a pen. These should be placed in the center of this background piece, 1/2 inch from the top and about 3 inches apart. As you can see in this picture, mine are four inches apart, and a bit too far for most pens.
Layer all three pieces together as shown in this picture. First a background piece, then the center divider and finally the other background piece. The right sides should be together. Make sure they are all turned the right direction! Sew a 3/8 ” seam across this area where all three come together. Open it up and take a good look around. If everything was sewn together, great! If not, make the seam just a little bit bigger. Once you’re happy with how everything has come together, reinforce this seam by sewing over it two or three more times. Then trim this seam to 1/4 inch.
At this point, it should look something like a wallet.
Take your cover piece and place over the inside of your wallet, right sides together. Sew around three sides of the wallet, leaving the end with the credit card holders open.
This can be very bulky. You may need to sew partially around and then take it from the sewing machine, reach inside, and push the center divider to the other half in order to reduce bulk. I suggest sewing around this at least twice as well.
Flip it right sides out and press. Almost finished!
Now take the 2 1/2 inch by 8 inch strip and cut it into 2 four inch strips. Holding them together, cut a little curve on one end.
Choose which piece will be the top of your closure and insert the male end of the magnetic snap at the end of the OTHER piece. Pin the two pieces together, right sides together, and sew 1/4 inch seam all around three sides (not the straight short end). Turn it inside out and top stitch 1/8 inch around the whole thing.
Place the tab into the open end above the credit card holder, measuring to the center. Fold it over to mark where the female end of the magnetic snap goes. Place the snap just a little above this point to account for the bulk of everything you put into the wallet. Not more than 1/2 inch above this marked point.
Now, if you placed your first credit card holder 3/4 inch from the top, as I said earlier, but not as I did, this step will be easy. Pin the tab in the center of the wallet and stitch across the top of the wallet two or three times. Additionally, you may want to stitch all the way around your wallet, 1/8 inch. Once again, you may have trouble with the center divider and moving it to the other side may help with this step. Another option would be to use your zipper foot.
You did it! Enjoy your beautiful wallet/ clutch.
Contact me with any questions!