The last time I made a wallet for Sidra was three years ago when he was still in kindergarten. It is still in good condition, but Sidra asked for a new wallet with coin pouch because his coins often fall off his wallet. So this is (maybe) the last thing I sew before we leave at the end of this week.
I didn’t really feel like making my own pattern, so I browsed around and found this PDF tutorial for Bi-fold wallet with lace from Napkin pattern at Etsy. The tutorial was emailed just a day after I paid. It was 25 pages (!) of tutorial with pictures. I find the number of pages was a bit too much as I don’t like printing that many pages for a wallet tutorial. But the tutorial is very clear and explained well. I think it is better to open the tutorial in a notebook and bring the notebook to the sewing room. Or bring the sewing machine near the computer.
The coin pouch will be used often and boys don’t usually have the patience to deal with metal snap-on buttons, so I used velcro for the flap. I also omitted the tab closure and used elastic band instead. The fabric is white cotton/linen with red skulls pattern, the same fabric as the pocket linings on Sidra’s skull and cross pants.
The bill compartment is ready-made quilted cotton in natural color and the bindings are linen twill tape and bias tape. I skipped on the lace of course and changed it into a zipper, also added is a little tab with metal ring so Sidra can later attached a lanyard to the wallet.
The sewing quality is not something to be proud of. You can see that I’ve missed several parts and the stitching lines are wavy. Maybe I should have used properly interfaced fabric instead of quilted cotton, or maybe I should take more time in making it.
Anyway, the boy is very happy with his new wallet. When I apologized for the imperfection, he declared, “But those imperfections are the ones that make the wallet better!” I guess he has talent for sweet talking.
PDF tutorial is Bi-fold wallet with lace from Napkin pattern at Etsy.
Agree with Lucha! I made a not-so-impressive plush stegosaurus for my son and I thought the store-bought dinosaurs looked so much better. But, he’s requesting for a diplodocus plush: “Mummy, I want you to use a needle and sew a diplodocus for me”, says my 3-year-old
i love this and wanna try to do one for myself hehehe .. thanks for sharing Novita <3
You may think this has a lot of imperfections but it looks great to me – so cool and funky! Shop-bought wallets also have imperfections
BTW Sidra sounds like quite the charming young gentleman!
Hi, I have been reading your blog and find it very inspiring!
This is my first time to leave comment though….it really makes a great difference to use the proper interlining for wallets.
Sometimes I use up to 3 different types of interlining just on 1 wallet.
You are really a fast sewer, I always have unfinished projects in the basket waiting for me
Keep up the good post!
Cheers,
Kay
Novita you are sooo talented. All those tricky little squashy corners to get into! You have obviously trained Sidra well. He is going to be a lady killer when he grows up. He is getting to know all the right things to say. Not that I’m suggesting he didn’t really mean this. I remember when my son was quite young he came to the front door to say goodbye to me and stood back to say ‘Mum, you look lovely! Is that a new dress?’ he was about 10 at the time. Don’t you just adore them? Have fun on your trip.
wow! really impressive!
The wallet is so awesome! It’s very cool to see this using boy fabrics! I’ve been eyeing this pattern seller on etsy, it’s so good to hear feedback!
Congrats on getting your machine fixed from the previous postings! I feel miserable and depressed when one of my sewing machines is giving me problems!
I’ve been meaning to make my oldest a wallet and I’ve been too lazy because half the time is spent figuring out a pattern. I love this and I may just have to give it a try!
I love this wallet! What a lucky son you have, and he obviously appreciates your hard work
And thank you for giving details of the pattern – I’ve been looking for a good wallet pattern for ages.
This post was so sweet! Your son is a good son because you are a good mommy! Sometimes the things we make for our children are more special than anything else.
Oh, his reply melted my heart. Kids are so wise, sometimes
This is awesome, my mum always says we are our own worst critics so good on your son for being so sweet!