Essex Wallet (new pdf pattern)

Hello friends, I hope you all are doing well.

I'm super, super excited as I get to share my newest pattern with you today :)

This is Essex Wallet.

I've been meaning to design a wallet pattern for quite some time so having this cutie all finished feels even more special than usual.

I love how this wallet isn't too large, yet it's roomy enough for all the necessities one might need. There are slots for eight cards, two slip pockets for cash, and even a super handy zipper compartment. Plus a closure tab, of course.

I graded this pattern as intermediate as it requires quite a bit of precision in measuring and sewing, but I think an adventurous, committed beginner would be able to sew it up as well ;)

FINISHED SIZE: 5 1/2'' tall x 4'' wide when closed

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MATERIALS NEEDED to make your very own Essex Wallet:
1 FE (fat eighth) of fabric measures 9'' x 21''

FABRIC A (main panels + closure tab) – 1 FE
FABRIC B* (lining + card pockets) – 1/2 yard
SF101 INTERFACING (or other medium weight fusible interfacing of choice or fusible fleece) – 1/2 yard
one (1) - 5'' metal or nylon ZIPPER
one (1) - size 12 HEAVY DUTY SNAP (you can use a different snap if preferred)
one (1) – ZIPPER PULL (optional)

*I recommend using non-directional print for the lining and pockets to be able to cut your pockets in one continuous length. If, however, you choose to go with directional print you will need to piece your pocket panels using two separate strips of fabric (dimensions provided in cutting directions below).


SUPPLIES: sewing clips and pins
disappearing fabric marker or fine chalk pen
small sharp scissors
zipper foot for your sewing machine
setting tool for snaps

You can purchase Essex Wallet pattern by clicking the button below or by going to my Etsy shop here. And, now through Friday, Oct. 25th I'm offering the pattern at 25% off introductory price. No coupon needed, price has already been adjusted.

buy Essex Wallet pattern

Thank you so very much for your continued support. Happy sewing :)

Svetlana

removable wrist strap (video tutorial)

Hello lovelies, happy Tuesday to you all!

As I mentioned last week, I've been diving into my scrap bins and trying to come up with many different ways of turning all those precious pieces of fabric into useful projects. I seem to have a lot of strings in my bins and I thought making some removable wrist straps for my pouches would be fun. And, it totally was :).

I love that all I needed to make each of these wrist straps was one 2'' x 12'' strip of quilting cotton, one 2'' x 11'' strip of interfacing (I used SF101), 1/2'' swivel hook, and I also used a rivet but you could totally just skip this and add stitching instead.

And you know what? I think these might make great key fobs as well. Or, you could even make your strip a lot longer and use the same technique to turn it into a lanyard. Oh, the possibilities.

You can check out the video on how I constructed these super handy cuties by clicking here.

Also, I'll be adding more how to videos to my YouTube channel so please subscribe if you want to make sure you don't miss any of them :).

And, since I totally couldn't stop at just making wrist straps, I made this pouch as well. Such a lovely combo, don't you think? 

I used The Essential Pouch pattern and this is a medium size pouch.

Hope you'll enjoy this free video tutorial. Let me know what you think. Do you find these helpful? Also, any ideas on what you'd like me to add to my videos next?

Wishing you all a happy and creative day.

Svetlana

#the100scrapchallenge

Ever since our move in August I've been trying to organize my studio and all the supplies in the most efficient way possible, which so far has meant moving things around constantly. I think I need to take a little break and just see what works and what doesn't for a while and then get back to it again in a few months.

Last week though, as I was rearranging things yet again, I realized I have FIVE buckets chock full of scraps! I don't even know how that happened. I use my scraps all the time but it still feels like they multiply every time I look away :). Does that happen to you too?

So I came up with a fun challenge. Well, actually the idea isn't really mine, Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts did a similar challenge a while back and I absolutely loved seeing her progress, so I thought now would be a good time for me to give it a go. I'm calling it The 100 Scrap Challenge (#the100scrapchallenge, suggested by @sewrealco) and the idea is to see how long it will take me to make 100 projects using scraps only. Pretty fun, right? Of course I'll be working on other projects and using regular fabric as well, but only projects from my scrap buckets will be counted.

I even have my first project to show you today :)

This pouch is made using QAYG (quilt as you go) technique and was a great way to use up some small scraps. I think it came out really nicely and can't wait to do more scrappy sewing.

Before I do though, I'm trying to bring some order to my scraps. Because, well, right now this is what just one bucket of my scraps looks like.

Pretty horrendous, right? I hope to find a system for sorting them so I know what (and how much) I actually have. I now started pressing them all and sorting them in piles by colors and materials. I'll let you know later how well this works for me.

You all are welcome to join me if you wish. There's no time pressure, the idea is to enjoy the process and use up as many of our scraps as possible. Just use #the100scrapchallenge and post to Instagram so we all can see the fantastic projects you create. Or, just check out the hashtag if you're looking for some scrappy inspiration, I've already seen quite a few fantastic projects added there.

Wishing you all a happy and creative day. Svetlana

Devon Pouch (how to video)

Hello lovelies,

happy Tuesday to you all!

Today I wanted to talk to you about my most favorite pouch at the moment - Devon Pouch. I designed this super handy zipper pouch a while back and ever since then I've been making them like there's no tomorrow :)

See? And that's not even all of them.

I really love the addition of a zipper pocket on the front of the pouch and I thought it might be helpful for some of you to see how I sew this pocket. So, I created this quick little video for you. Hope you'll find it helpful and enjoy watching.

Please leave any questions you might have in comments below.

Click here to watch the video on YouTube if you prefer.

And, here's the link to Devon Pouch pattern in case you'd like to whip some pouches of your own.

Happy sewing friends. Svetlana