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in Flosstyle Patterns· Groovy Guys Wallet· Guest Blog Post· Pattern Hack· Tutorials

Groovy Guys Wallet – Leather and Custom Decal Hack

Hi everyone! I’m Sara from The MODERN Maker at Cobb’s Mill and will be sharing a tutorial for utilizing leather and heat transfer vinyl (HTV) to create the Groovy Guys Wallet. I love this pattern for the men in life! Everyone, old and young, need wallets and this pattern creates a wonderful unique gift!

You will need the materials below to get started:

For the wallet:

  • 2-4 8×10 sheets of leather. I purchased my leather here.
  • Leather needle
  • Wonder clips or similar
  • Rotary cutter and mat
  • Thread
  • Sewing machine

For the HTV design:

  • Cutting machine of choice
  • HTV, I used Sisar EasyWeed
  • Weeding tool
  • Blades for cutting HTV and leather (optional)
  • Cutting mats, standard for HTV, strong grip for leather (optional)

I began by creating a cut file in Design Space because I plan to make this wallet frequently and I prefer the accurate cuts from my Cricut Maker. (I’m always a bit crooked with a rotary cutter and even an edge is important with leather!)

I sized the pattern down a bit because I wanted to give this wallet to my son for his 7th birthday and I wanted the wallet to fit nicely in his jeans. To ensure I was happy with the size, I cut the pattern on paper and assembled it with tape on my cutting mat. This is also helpful when working with pattern pieces that can be confusing… such as multiple similar sized squares of leather! It really helps me to keep it all straight.

If you would like to add HTV to your wallet now is the time to do so. I adapted a file from Scout and Rose Designs to create a simplified ax for the wallet facing. I opted not to include the crest on the inside because of the fun camo leather. These designs are perfect for the boys in my life because my husband is a sawyer. Feel free to add your own “stamp”!

I adhered the HTV to the wallet facing using a heat press set to 305 degrees for 5 seconds. You could also adhere with an iron without steam. Press all your designs on prior to stitching.

Next, assemble the lining and pockets. Clip with wonder clips or similar. Do not use pins as they will leave a permanent hole in the leather. Take care to ensure edges are even.

Stitch ¼” around three sides of the right pocket and stack of left pockets (stitching all layers at once). I found starting fully on the fabric with a 3.5mm stitch length and utilizing 1-2 backstitches worked well on my machine. If backstitching, pull your threads 2-3 inches from the needle plate prior to stitching to keep the stitches clean on the wrong side. I STRONGLY recommend testing 4-5 layers of stacked leather prior to stitching to ensure you are happy with the results as stitching will leave permanent holes in the leather.

Using a rotary cutter trim any edges that slipped during the stitching. We will be leaving all edges unfinished (unbinded) so it is important to keep the edges straight and clean.

Lay the front facing, wrong sides together, with the lining. Verify the HTV decal is facing in the correct direction. Stitch ¼” around three sides of the facing leaving the open. Trim as needed.

Press the wallet closed using a heat press or iron.

Voila! You have created a beautiful leather wallet!

Happy Stitching,
Sara Cobb
Owner, The Modern Maker at Cobb’s Mill

in 52 Week Sewing Challange· Bloomies· Flosstyle Patterns· Pattern Hack· Puckers· Sprouts

52 Week Sewing Challenge – Week 13

This weeks Challenge: Use a pattern you own but have never tried (Rejected)

 

I don’t think I could have strayed further from this weeks challenge if I had tried, I made some Sprouts Bloomies and turned them into puckers.

I am so in love with the colours and the way they turned out. I will post a tutorial on the how to next week because we are in the middle of moving this weekend and I really should be packing and cleaning.

    

 

Hope you all have an amazing Easter and enjoy the short break.

 

 

Happy Sewing xx

in 52 Week Sewing Challange· Artiste· Flosstyle Patterns· Pattern Hack· Zoo

52 Week Sewing Challenge – Week 10

This weeks Challenge: Something Colour Blocked (Accepted)

Who knew you could mash the Zoo with the Artiste? The Zoo is one of my favorite patterns so I use the bodice pieces often. I decided the Palette skirt from the Artiste, would be perfect for this week’s challenge. Behold a fun mash up!

I used the stork flutters from the zoo for the bodice. I even used knit and which meant I had to line the bodice to complete the armscye.
The palette skirt is made from woven fabrics so I attached the two and added clear elastic into the waist seam to help with recovery.

I interrupted an intense game of flashlight hide n seek to get this picture. My toddler is never still it seems. She had to wear it as soon as I finished sewing it, so you know it was instant love. Have you been adventurous and mixed any Flosstyle patterns together? I’d love to see them! Did you accept or reject this week’s challenge?

 

Happy Sewing! Jen

in 52 Week Sewing Challange· Flosstyle Patterns· Pattern Hack· Super Suit

52 Week Sewing Challenge – Week 7

This weeks Challenge: Something with hearts (Accepted)

The challenge for week 7 is “Sew Something with Hearts”. Initially I was tempted to run to the fabric store and use this as an excuse to add to my growing fabric stash. But I was determined to stay true to my promise and not buy fabric for my challenges. So far I’ve only slipped up once.

Remember the Super Suit Skater Hack? You can find it here.  I decided this would be perfect for the funky peace and love fabric I had been storing. My toddler, the recipient, loves the swirl and twirl the half circle skirt provides.

I only changed 3 things from what the pattern and hack already offers. I cut the sleeves to be elbow length, added cuffs (who needs to hem!?) and added an inch to the length of the skater skirt.


Side note***bubbles will make any kid smile. So what’s up your sleeve this week? Did you accept or reject the Week 7 Challenge?

 

Jen

in 52 Week Sewing Challange· Flosstyle Patterns· Pattern Hack· Tooshies

52 Week Sewing Challenge – Week 3

This weeks Challenge: Something to make sewing easier (Rejected)

 

Best laid plans and all.. I had intended to make something to make sewing easier this week, the plan was a Chair Bag for the back of my sewing chair (You can find the free pattern here).

But Mr 2 is starting to toilet train and needed some training pants, so Tooshies it was, Tooshies are a nappy cover but also perfect for toilet training pants!

If they are made as per the pattern the small panel at the front ends up upside down but with a quick little change the front panel can face the right way up. Take your pattern and mark one line along the dotted pattern join line, mark another line 1 cm below it as shown in the photo. ( Below if you have the back end at the top)

Cut your back panel to the bottom line, turn your pattern piece around and cut the front panel to the top line. Attach these two pieces together by facing right sides together and overlocking.

If you’d like you can then fold the overlocked seam to one side and top stitch it in place. Then follow the instructions in the pattern to complete.

The little monster had stolen one pair from my sewing desk before I’d finished the other pair so I will be making a few more of these in the coming weeks.

Happy Sewing xx

 

in 52 Week Sewing Challange· Bloomies· Flosstyle Patterns· Pattern Hack· Sprouts

52 Week Sewing Challenge – Week 1

This weeks challenge: Something Warm -Rejected (It’s the middle of summer in Australia and while I thought about making something warm I just couldn’t bring myself to do it)

This week has been super challenging to get any sewing done for me, the holidays are always a bit chaotic to begin with but I hurt my shoulder and have had to spend most of the week with it immobilized in a sling. I’m allowed to have it off for an hour or two a day and have strict orders from the doctor not to do housework while it’s sore.

So I got a little bit of sewing done and finally finished my first item for the year, just in time too. I found this cute cat print as a remnant at my local Spotlight and just had to get it for my niece. I chose to make the Sprouts Bloomies in size 4 with a few changes.

I wanted a wider cuff at the bottom, so instead of cutting the recommended cuff piece in half as directed in the pattern I cut out 2.

I added the belt from the MODS section at the back of the pattern but created my own belt loops by making a double fold binding from a 2 1/2″ strip and sewing it shut, each belt loop is 2 1/2’long and there are 4 in total. I attached them before putting the elastic in the waistband 3 1/2″ from the center seam on both sides, front and back.

If you want to join in the fun of the 52 Week Challenge it’s not too late. Join the facebook group here. 

Happy Sewing xx