A Little Something to Sew

It’s been a very busy week with the kids being on spring break. My son and I painted his room, Manchester United Blue (away jerseys).  I spent several days helping with our 4-H group. Those girls are amazing. Flap zippers, princess seams, and one student is making a wool pea coat with bound buttonholes. I didn’t sew anything myself, until yesterday. I am preparing some projects for my upcoming sewing classes. I wanted to make a library card holder. A simple little wallet for the beginning students to sew.

Sometimes these simple things don’t always continue to be simple. This one seemed straight forward enough, but as it would be, perception is not always reality.

I used Amy Butler’s Business Card Pattern as a template. Actually, I made my first one from her pattern, but did not care for its construction. [I modified it to have one pocket, as you can see] Too many seams–the exterior and lining both start as 3 pieces that are sewn together. With the stabilizer this was pretty bulky. This means more room for error and a lot of bulk to sew over.  It also ended up not being wide enough for the library card (pattern has 1/2″  seam allowance added). I needed it to be easy to make, fewer steps, and better chance of success for my students.

I decide to change things up and play around with how it might work for a student that has not sewn much.[note: if using velcro, you’ll need to add it before you sew lining to exterior fabric]

2 pieces instead of 6 [main difference] I made mine 9″ tall from the lowest side along the top edge. I added sew on stabilizer to exterior piece.

I liked her way of doing the pocket, but added the heavy weight interfacing before sewing it to the lining. I did cut the pocket piece smaller (5 3/8″ tall), since it was not becoming 2 pockets. Sewn right sides together, press seam open and turn right side out. Press it so the seam is in the middle of one side.

Add some stabilizer

Place it 3 5/8″ from the bottom edge on the right side of the  lining. Baste it in place along the sides.

Place lining and exterior fabric right sides together and sew. I used a 3/8″ seam allowance.

Remember to leave a 3″ opening along the bottom edge.

Trim corners

Clip triangle notches in the curve

[I also trimmed the sides to 1/4″] Turn right side out, poke-out corners, smooth curve,  and press.

Sew across opening. I topstitched all the way around, but I may not have the students do that.

Sew the bottom edge of the pocket.  Sew across the width, along where the card holder will fold. This stitching helps it to fold nicely.

Add snaps [if using velcro follow the pattern’s instructions]

And look! It’s the perfect size for a doll clutch. The orange one is already claimed as such, by my daughter.

It’s good to have reminders that we all make mistakes and there is always more to learn. I’m glad this worked out for me. I think my students will like sewing  this  project.