I received my Lazy Girl Designs "Wonder Wallet" pattern in the mail today, and, of course, immediately made one. I just love how quickly it went together, and it's VERY cute (made it from some batik scraps I had). However...... I'm not thrilled with the amount of bulk I had in the corners when I turned the wallet right side out. I trimmed the corners as they said, but there was still an awful lot. And once you zig-zag all the seam allowances, that kind of adds to the bulk. It's nearly impossible to get a nice, sharp corner. Advice from anyone who's made these? Also, I'm not a big fan of velcro..... any other suggestions for closing the adorable, little thing? TIA.
Thanks Jan..... I kinda like the button and elastic loop idea. I'm also thinking that maybe 2 ribbons, top and bottom, tied together would be cute, although cumbersome to open and close. I'm going to go to TSWLTH today and look into magnetic closures too. IIRC, they can be kinda pricey, thus, defeating the purpose of using "scraps" to make the gifts. If all else fails, it wouldn't KILL me to do a buttonhole and button! :-)
"There is also a Yahoo group where you can ask questions or make comments. I would give you the link, however my Yahoo mail isn't working now. Boca Jan"
I've started using Velcro Fusion for my Wonder Wallets. Also used it for my latest - a Sassy Bag. It requires no sewing and is great. Just be sure to follow the pkg directions & fuse for the full 60 seconds.
Be careful of the magnetic clasp that close to card that have a magnetic strip to be read. The magnetic clasp can de-activate (or whatever) the strip on the cards making them not usable. (Don't ask, but I don't like having purses with magnetic snaps on them any longer......)
Evidently. I hadn't heard of it until just recently. Can't remember whether it was here on rctq, or the Lazy Girls Yahoo group that I first heard of it.
Hi Donna, DO tell, where did you find "Velcro Fusion"? And..... does it come in dots or just strips?? TIA.
Patti in Seattle
From: snipped-for-privacy@gmailnospam.com (Donna=A0in=A0Idaho) wrote: I've started using Velcro Fusion for my Wonder Wallets. Also used it for my latest - a Sassy Bag. It requires no sewing and is great. Just be sure to follow the pkg directions & fuse for the full 60 seconds. Donna in Idaho
Here's a trick I learned if you have the "bulky corner" miseries back when women were still sewing in caves . I use this trick on pillows with and without piping and fringes, corners of bulky layered birthed quilts (it
*doesn't* work for tailored clothing BTW), any heavy upholstery type fabric, and pot holders to get really nice, even square corners. I've also done this with padded/quilted jewelry bags with/without piping.
Sew up the edge and stop when you have TWO stitches to go to reach the corner, then sew *TWO* stitches at a 45° angle instead of stopping on point and turning a right angle corner (sometimes I even back stitch and go forward again right on top of those two stitches, depends on the fabric and such YMMV), this should put you right in line with the next edge of stitching, continue on until you've gone round as far as you need. Trim the fabric corners even (close, parallel, ya know what I mean?) with the two stitches and then along the side seams a bit. (Does this make sense?) When you turn the bulky corner it actually is nicely "squared", no puckers or wonky ears, the corners all match......I have NO idea why this works but it does, at least it always has for me and all those I've shown this trick. It's magic!
As far as the closure, a cute button or even a bead and elastic loop would work well and be easy to handle. If you want something decorative how about a frog closure or knotted ball button? You can buy them or make them. I have a sewing book that shows how to tie these neat-o knotted closures and there are also directions on the net.
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Google is your friend ;)
You'll find that once you get the hang of tying these they actually go pretty quickly and can become an obsessive compulsive addiction. I actually tied 38 of these frog things with silk crotchet thread (they were really teeny tiny, it was hormone induced insanity I'm sure) to put on a Chinese styled christening gown. I had to make myself stop when I walked into the kitchen one morning and realized I had a frog closure instead of the ubiquitous button on the tab top hand towel hanging on the oven door handle.
Have you ordered from newarkdress in the past? I need to order some more scissors for my Project Linus chapter, but can't really afford $20 scissors. I'm wondering if the $3 scissors they have on their website would be adequate for volunteers to use to fringe fleece and use at some of our Blanket Days. I know, that's pretty cheap for scissors, but the scissors I haul around for events get pretty rough treatment and don't always make it back in the Project Linus box at the end of the day! :-)
I will second what Val says about dealing with bulky corners. I use this trick ALL the time and it works wonderfully. I think what happens is that taking those 2 stitches at a 45 degree angle leaves room for the seam allowances which fills up the corner and results in a surprisingly perfect right angle! I also want to thank Val for posting the link for the frog * ball button closures. I have not been able to find this info in my stash for ages -- it likely got tossed in one of the periodic clean outs of the sewing room. Anyway, thanks for the link, the info has been copied and safely put in the FILE for this sort of thing :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at
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