Monday, April 25, 2022

Projects in Teeny Florals



Finished a couple of things for Mum a couple of weeks ago. Her old leather key pouch has been falling apart so I offered to make her a new one. Not leather, because I don't have any on hand. Also, I would've needed Dad's leatherworking supplies and tools and we aren't quite ready to go through his stuff; we're all in different countries so it's more a logistic reason than emotional, although there's some of that, too. Instead, I found some delicate* floral fabric in the store that I thought she'd like, and went to work. (*Clarification: the fabric isn't delicate, which would be most unwise for a wallet; it's the floral motif which is, I mean).


It was fun to sew wallets again. It's been a while, and I've missed it. I think if I had to rank sewing projects by favorites, wallets would be at the top of the list (and clothing alterations, say, sitting someway below the subbasement dungeons thereof). As far as wallets go, key pouches are very, very simple to sew, not least because there are very few compartments. This translates to not many layers of material to stitch through and eventually bind around the edges of. 

Installing the key holder hardware was another story, however.


The short version was that I didn't have the right tools, so had to improvise, which wrecked the fabric to the point of having to rip out the center panel of the wallet entirely and make a completely new replacement part. And by some miracle, I did find a way to put in the key holder bit properly this second time around. So: Nightmarish hardware installation, but easy sewing. As with all projects, you win some, you lose some. 


There's a zippered section behind the main compartment for bills. Her original key pouch had it, so I just duplicated the design exactly. Sometimes when we become attached to a bag or wallet and have to replace it, it's nice have an exact copy so we needn't get used to new places for our stuff, right?


Here's the back. Notice that the bottom edge is funky - this is because the outermost layer of wallets must be made slightly longer (wider?) than the inner layers, 


so that when the wallet is closed, with all its contents within, the layers will wrap snugly around and lie flat atop each other.


When I'd finished the key pouch, I thought I'd make a coin purse, too. So extra! And for no reason other than I had hardware just sitting in the stash, and I hadn't used it since making my friend a cow purse 13 years ago. 




And now I'm all warmed up, and feel like I want to make a whole bunch of actual wallets. Maybe I'll put some in the shop, too, in time for summer. Will keep you posted!


Hope everyone's been enjoying spring in whichever parts of the world are experiencing it right now. Minnesota has been a bit tardy with its warm days. We had snow last week, and people were saying Enough Already Go Away, which is shockingly disagreeable for a people who are supposed to be smugly stoic in the face of hypothermia. But this weekend is teasing temps in the 70s so we think we might be able to revert to Minnesota Nice again and not snap at our neighbors and endure things till summer finally does kick in. Virtual hugs to all!


10 comments:

  1. I am always excited to see there’s a new post from you. I love your work, and I also love finding out what’s going on with you and your bright and creative offspring. This key case is both practical, beautiful, and well crafted, something I have learned to expect from your makes. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I love all your projects. Your sewing is so professional. I am intrigued about this tape you used to finish the edges. What is it? And the floral fabric?

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    1. Anonymous: Thank you! The binding is a thick grosgrain trim. The fabric is a keepsake calico by JoAnn Fabrics.

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  3. What a lovely gift for your mum. California is never remotely frigid, but it's been colder than usual here, too.

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    1. HI MaryAnne, yes, it's been a longer-than-usual winter/spring. We're back to 28F today. Apparently the 70F on Sunday (raining, not sunny) was just a cruel joke rather than a promise of better things to come. But this, too, shall pass! I hope your summer picks up!

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  4. Those are very nice. The coin purse is harder to make than one thinks. I made a couple of them last year.

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    1. Thank you, Kay. I agree about the coin purse. My first drat had an opening that was too small, even though I thought I'd sized it correctly. I had to toss it and do an overhaul. Getting the hardware glued on is not especially enjoyable, either. The online tutorials I've seen make it look like it can be done in 5 minutes!

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    2. I used every swear word ever written gluing into a purse frame. I have a fairly blue vocabulary, and I shocked myself. It's HARD (and I used a pleather which did not help).
      I have nothing but lovely things to say about your set. Love you

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  5. Yes, so beautiful. Everything you make is so professional. It is perfect as far as I can see. Thanks I really look forward to checking up in what you are making next. Great work!!!!

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