cash zipper wallet

My friend has been using the cash envelope system for years now and still uses paper envelopes in her purse, this doesn't bother her but for some reason it bothers me.....haha.   So in my search for my perfect wallet, in the previous post, I found this tutorial for exactly what I needed to make!
I couldn't find the fabric I liked in laminated cotton so I bought the iron on vinyl and it worked out fine, although it seemed I spent more time ironing than any other step, but it was worth it to have a wipe-able surface.  I used different color zippers to color code the envelopes i.e. pink is for clothing/accessories and green is for grocery shopping......  I hope she likes it as much as I do!

project in the works........zipper wallet

I have been looking for a wallet for some time, the one I have I like the design but have found it to be very heavy in my purse and it all adds up to neck pain for me while shopping so I decided to sew one out of my favorite fabrics in my stash, so its "free"  with the exception of the PDF pattern that I purchased here from a fellow etsian.

No I didn't have to buy a pattern but I just wanted all the thinking to be already done for me this time. The pattern designer had a great idea of buying home dec fabric swatches to make the wallet,  this way you get a group of coordinating fabrics and just the right amount, plus I've seen them at joanns for .99
So here is my first days work:

I am loving how its turning out!   Now I am waiting on my zippers and lobster clasp to come in the mail so I can finish.   

Supply buying tip:

I like to buy my hardware on esty. There is a great selection and they have items that are hard to find in the fabric store also at better prices.   I bought 5 zippers with a cute pull for $5.  and a set of clasps for $3.   I know that would have been per item in the store.

I will post my new wallet hopefully by the end of the week!

UPDATE:   Well I would have been done sooner but when I finished and went to put my cards in I discovered that I didnt sew the bottoms of the pockets in the first step and had to take the whole thing apart!!!!! ewwww!   I just got around to finishing it and I had a bit of trouble with the zipper and the binding, which is rare for me because those are two things I love to do.    I am really picky when it comes to detail stitching and small details that this pattern did not walk you through so for my pickyness I am not 100% in love with the end result, but it is still pretty and functional.

vintage love....double-sided napkin tutorial

I LOVE my Jadeite......and any excuse to use it! When I was asked to set a table at a Valentines banquet I knew I needed to figure out a way to pull in the lovely vintage color.  So off to my favorite fabric store to find some vintage looking fabric that had mint and red as the primary colors, I was hoping for a variety of 4 fabrics so I could make 2 of each.  Well... they didn't let me down,  I found this great set of fabrics. SCRUMTIOUS by Moda fabrics. grabbed some red rick-rack and red Kona cotton. Let me take a moment to brag about quality fabrics.  I come across people everyday that choke when they ask me about what fabrics I like and how much they are per yard....but no matter what others may think quality fabric is an absolute must!  ONLY IF you want your projects to turn out professional looking, if you want to enjoy your sewing process, if you want a product that will last the test of time.... I could go on!
I have wasted too many hours and projects on cheap fabric.  I also only use cloth napkins and have purchased as well as made them and there is nothing worse than a bad napkin.  I have already washed this set 3 times and they have come out beautiful with minimal ironing...which is appreciated, and while we are talking about cloth napkins I thought I would share my latest napkin organizing find.....over the door shoe organizer is perfect for storing your cloth napkins, you can see what you have, access them easily without digging through a pile and they are out of the way to free up space for other dining accessories. I spent around $40 on supplies and if you compare to customized napkins at a boutique they usually run $24+ for a set of 2.  So I think I did pretty good for a set of 8 costing $8. each.

So here's what you need for 8 double-sided napkins:
You need 1/2 yard print for 2 napkins or 2 yards for 8
2 yards solid fabric
14 yards rickrack...yes 14 :)
matching thread

Square up your fabric and cut 2- 18x18 squares from each print

then fold in quarters to round the edges

I like to use a saucer (here you can see how the fabric matches the jadeite perfect, but the camera doesn't show its true color)

trim up all pieces (16)

now we are ready to add the rick-rack
I like to add it to my front piece first - line up the zig zag with the edge of the right side, stitch on and then stitch the backing fabric right sides together.  Run both ends of the rick-rack off the edge so the ends get caught in the seam when finished.

after you piece front to the back, turn your piece and press all around and opening so it is ready for top stitching

once all your napkins are turned, and pressed run a top stitch all around as close to the edge as you like, this is decorative, and functional as it will keep the pieces together after washing and it will close your gap where you turned your piece.

and voila! your set of beautiful custom napkins is complete!