Card Wallet Free Easy Sewing Tutorial

First of all I want to apologise for not posting as regularly as I should , I have been working on my Etsy shop
retaking photographs, improving my seo (searchability on and off Etsy) and working on a new product line , and something had to give, unfortunately it was the blog. So I have come to the decision that instead of trying to post once a week and failing miserably, I will aim to post twice a month and make it count, although if something exciting comes up in between , I will post it .

So what is this new product line I here you say ........................................................
I talked about in my last post here about finding focus and getting my sewing mojo back , this new product line is part of this. I love love love sewing and I love love love designing and working with numbers figuring out the dimensions and construction for putting a purse or wallet or bag or dress together, so I have decided to combine both of my loves and start a line of digital downloadable sewing patterns in pdf format.
I make the items in my Etsy shop from scratch , figuring out a pattern and how best to put it together so this seemed like the next logical step, but please be patient these sewing patterns are not just thrown together they take time to design the item, work out how best to make it, photographing as I go, tweaking where necessary and writing up detailed step by step instructions, so rest assured I am working on them, they just take time to put the sewing patterns together.

To celebrate the start of the new line I thought I would share an easy free sewing tutorial to make a fabric card wallet, and here is the card wallet

 To make this card wallet you will need the following

A piece of medium weight cotton fabric at least 10 inches x 19 inches
A piece of medium weight interfacing, fusible or sew in
A scrap of fabric for heart on the front medium weight cotton approx 4 inches x 3 inches
A sheet of A4 paper
Pencil
A 2 inch piece of  self adhesive hook and loop tape

You will need to start by drawing out your pattern piece on your paper, please note for patterns sold in my Etsy shop you will not need to do this , you will receive a digitized sewing pattern to print but due to not having the capabilities on this blog to offer you a downloadable pattern I will guide you through drawing it out, it is simple so please don't be put off at this stage. Here we go then .................

 Now you have your paper pattern pieces all ready I will refer to the house shaped pattern piece as
"Body A" , you are ready to start cutting your fabrics, you will need to cut the following by pinning your paper pattern pieces to the fabric and cutting around.
You will need
 1 x heart from your paper heart shape, use your small scrap of fabric for this
2 x pieces of fabric and 2 x interfacing pieces using "Body A" as a template

If you are using fusible interfacing fuse it to the back of your larger pieces of fabric now following manufacturers instructions, if you are using sew in then I will explain further on what you are doing with this.

Next step is to attach our heart fabric to the flap of the card wallet, if you are using sew in interfacing, gather one piece of this and one of your "Body A" pieces of fabric and layer them sew in interfacing down first, then "Body A" fabric on top and then your heart on top , with the point of your heart base lined up with the point on your "Body A" fabric and pin in place, you now need to set your stitch on your sewing machine to a small zig zag stitch and slowly stitch around the edge of your heart enclosing the raw edge of the heart , you can see this in the photograph below.

                                           The finished result will look something like this.

Next we are going to make a card wallet sandwich, place your other "Body A" face down on top of the one we have just sewn and if using sew in interfacing place this on top.

Line up all your edges and pin through all the layers , notice on the shorter flat edge two pins are placed in opposite directions to the others these are placed approximately 3 inches apart and are our marker pins.

Now you need to sew using a straight stitch using 3//8 inch seam allowance starting at one marker pin and ending at the other all the way around our pinned together wallet pieces. You will be left with an approximately 3 inch gap , this is fine , I will explain this in a minute.

 To make nice sharp corners on our wallet you need to clip the corners of the fabric this reduces bulk in the corners , clip close to the corners but be careful not to clip your stitches.

Next you need to turn your wallet right side out, reach in the gap and pull your wallet right side out through the gap, and poke out the corners using your fingers or a pencil.
Sew a stitch line 1/8 inch seam allowance across the open straight edge ensuring the raw edges are tucked inside the wallet.

Fold this flat edge you have just sewn up 3 1/2 inches towards the triangle end of the wallet  ensuring your wallet is all square, lining up your side seams, you don't want a wonky wallet , when you have done so well so far. Pin in in place.
You now need to sew using a straight stitch and a 1/8 inch seam allowance all the way around your wallet , start from a bottom folded corner , sewing through all layers then along your bottom, up the side around the triangle and back again.

You now need to press your wallet shut with an iron , folding the flap shut , this will help keep it's shape, now just to add the self adhesive hook and loop tape, place one side on your wallet flap, do this first then line up your other side of hook and loop tape on the front of your wallet to form a closure and your wallet is finished.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial , and look out for more sewing patterns/tutorials in my Etsy Shop

And a sneak preview , I have just finished writing up  and digitising the pattern for this wallet which is now available as an instant download in my Etsy shop

Wallet sewing pattern pdf

Wallet sewing pattern pdf

Getting back my sewing mojo and finding focus.

I have recently been making a few changes to Martisanne Handmade, if you follow my blog you will have seen in January , I redesigned logos and this blog to give it a whole new look you can read about it here.
Along with these changes I have been looking to focus my time and energies to be more efficient with my time to get results. I was trying to be all things to all people creating one off sewn items , which wasn't time or energy efficient, in doing this I felt I wasn't getting anywhere and had little to show for the time spent.
So I have taken a small step back researching what is selling in the market place but also wanting to stay true to my own designs not fighting for a place to stand out amongst 1000s of the same item.
In doing this I feel I have got my sewing mojo back I want to create and have found a way to be more productive and most importantly proud of what I have produced.
Firstly tackling the originality, as well as sewing I love to draw so have combined the two with these embroidered purses available here in my Etsy shop, there will be more of these unique purses to come.
I can cut them the boring bit, anyone who says they love cutting out fabric rectangles is lying , in multiples and have them ready to go when creative inspiration strikes.
Secondly I have for the time being removed items from my Zibbet shop, to allow me to focus in one area my Etsy Shop.

Now here is the really efficient bit that I am still working on but feeling really excited about .
Remember I said I want to be time and energy efficient but still creative and focused , well let me show you how this is going , check out the picture below.

Yep, she is showing me fabric rectangles I here you say, well these are not just fabric rectangles they are multifunctional rectangles that have inspired my creativity, it is not the fabric pattern but the size that has inspired me.

From one size of rectangle I can create various types of products and variations on a product.

Let me show you some examples so far .

A credit card Wallet

Zippy wallet

Zippy wallet

The above are examples of items I have created from that rectangle of fabric, the purse may have zips and a magnetic snap and be folded in a different way , but the fabric pieces used to create it are the same size as the credit card holder.

This way I can be more productive cutting rectangles of fabric all ready , to make into what I fancy making that day.

I am also working on different variations, the zippy wallet could have an extra pocket on the front cutting a rectangle into thirds, it could have a wristlet strap cutting the rectangle longways and folding.

I think by narrowing my focus and options and thinking I only have this size of fabric to work with , I have actually forced myself to be more creative with less, weird isn't it how the mind works.

I am not saying I am never going to create anything that doesn't use the same fabric pieces, but I will use this method to focus my efforts and creativity.

You can keep an eye on my creative outpourings in my Etsy Shop

DIY photography light box tutorial

Recently I have been working on improving my Etsy shop, designing a new logo, working on tags and descriptions for my products, and the next stop on this journey is improving my photography. I have been reasonably pleased with my Etsy shop photographs , using an old white projection screen and white paper as a base, but was constrained by photo editing and time of day I could photograph , and with a family I need my time to be more fluid.
I researched various photography ideas and came to the conclusion a light box was the way to go, needing one big enough for cosmetic bags and larger and on a miniscule budget , and the need for it to fit nicely in my office, as is usual in the Martisanne household , we researched and decided to come up with our own version, the use of the Ikea table I have to say though was my lovely hubbys idea, whose sole mission in life is to make my life easier wherever possible.

The light box you will end up with following this tutorial will measure approximately 55cms x 55cms x 55cms, and if you follow the principal, you can really make one any size you need.
Firstly let me show you some examples below in the difference a light box will make, the rotary cutter light box photograph was taken at night curtains shut, only standard lighting in the room with a point and shoot digital camera , and just look how good it is.

And a proper daylight shot below , no editing and no additional light , just taken next to a window on a dreary rainy day.

You see how good a shot you can take without even trying.

For the light box you will need the following

1 x White (matt not gloss finish) Lack Ikea coffee table £5 in the UK 2014.
White fabric , not too thick test it to see if light will shine through, you want fabric that will let light through.
Lighting for your box 1 to 3 angle lamps or torches , you will need to experiment to see what works best.
Roll of Duct tape
1 sheet of white A1 size mounting card , mine was £2.99.

First grab your coffee table and ignore the assembly instructions.

Where the holes are on the underside of the table top drill through to the other side as below, repeat on all four corners.

 

You will have four holes on the table top side but that is fine, it will be hidden

 

Screw the screw pegs in from the white side of the table opposite to what the instructions tell you, on all four corners of the table.

 Screw the legs into all four corners of the table top.

 

You will end up with an upside down inside out coffee table.

Now get your fabric, you will need to spread a piece of fabric, leg to leg and tape it to the outside of the table top and leg as below, you want your fabric pulled tight and you want to cover two opposite leg spaces doing this.

 

And you will need to turn your table so that your table top is down flat and the space between all four of your table legs is where your roof will go, making sure you overlap the fabric with your two side pieces slightly to prevent gaps. I also as per the picture below created a fold in the fabric , which when attaching your fabric roof needs to be placed fold down , with the fold in the space between the legs , you can see a bit better in the next picture , the fold is at the front.

 Roof attached to your light box and it is the right way up with the coffee table top down.

 

Next you need to place your A1 sheet of card carefully in your box trying not to crease it , push the short edge in first and place it in the slight fold you made in the roof fabric , to gently wedge it .

Next fold your card gently trying not to crease it, you don't want crease marks, by pushing it backward into the box, you want a gentle curve, so the card is flexed not folded and for the front end of your card to be resting against your table legs on the inside of the box at the front.

I had to cut a little square out of either side of mine probably about 1 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 inch to allow the card to sit around the table legs at the front, this will again wedge it in place.

 

 

 

 

And you have a finished light box, place your item inside your box on the card and you can use angle poise lamps above the roof and torches at the sides of the box to create lighting, use what you have available and experiment with your camera.

And the finished light box is also relatively light for moving around, and I intend to use it outside in daylight when it finally stops raining.

 

The photo below used only daylight and a point and shoot digital camera.

 

I hope you enjoyed reading this , and it has given you some ideas to build on

 

Labels for homemade sewing projects tutorial

If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I have a brand new toy for my handmade projects, a customisable ink stamp, that my lovely hubby spotted at a table top sale brand new in the packet and suitable for textiles for the grand sum of 50p .
This is a little tutorial on how to make your own labels for your own homemade sewing projects.
You will need to gather the following,

Fabric for your labels , I used a cream woven fabric, use what you have.
Scissors or rotary cutter
Ink stamp
Ruler , not essential but makes life easier
Sewing machine or needle and thread if hand sewing.

I will now take you through step by step how to create these lovely little sew in labels for homemade projects , they are quick, easy and economical give any project that more professional look whether your items at a craft fair or giving them as gifts.

 

 

 

 

I was lucky enough to find a stamp that can be personalised, you arrange your tiny letters with tweezers on the rail on the stamp as shown below, remember it will all need spelling backwards.

The stamp I used stated it was suitable for textiles and washable up to 90 degrees, but if you are using it for projects that are not to be washed you could use a standard ink stamp, you may even find the ink isn't washable anyway and survives the wash, just experiment and see what works for you.

 

 

Once your stamp is set up you are ready to go, grab your fabric you are using to create your labels, mine is a cream woven fabric, but use what you have, an old pillowcase or shirt or sheet .

Then stamp away, try and stamp in rows , with the rows approximately 2cms apart and your stamps approximately 3cms apart, try and stamp in straight rows , you can see I went a bit wonky, do as I say not as I do. Also another tip is try and press reasonably hard with the stamp and with even pressure create an even print.

 

 

 

 

 

Next cut your labels into strips as below cutting halfway between the rows

 

 

 

 

Turn your row of stamps with the stamped piece of fabric facing away from you and sew with a straight stitch on your sewing machine if using one,  by folding the label over approximately half a centimetre toward the middle of the strip, do this along both long edges .  

 

 

 

 

Nearly there , you now have a strip of labels all neatly hemmed,

you just need to cut using scissors or a rotary cutter, half way between the stamps to separate them.

 

 

 

 

 

You then have sewing labels ready for any homemade project, the short edges of the labels will be raw and unhemmed on your labels but when you sew your label into your project you can turn the raw edges underneath the label and sew all around the label to sew your label into the project.

 

Another variation is to sew the raw edges down only leaving a loop which is handy for  clothes labelling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIY How to make a vinyl record bowl

I thought I would share with you a really easy gift idea, that you can create for next to nothing, a vinyl record bowl for this you will need the following.

A vinyl record any size (the bigger your record the bigger your finished bowl will be)
Oven gloves
A conventional oven (Not a microwave)
Two oven proof bowls
A cookie tray/baking sheet

Gather your items together

Preheat your oven to 90 degrees Centigrade or 200 degrees Farenheit (DO NOT MIX THESE TEMPERATURES UP)

Place your cookie tray/baking sheet down , with your ovenproof bowl face down on top of it, and your vinyl record on top as below

Balance your record on the bowl

Place your tray with bowl and vinyl record in the oven and set a timer for 5 minutes, while this is in the oven, get your oven gloves at the ready to take your tray out and get your second ovenproof bowl ready on a flat surface.

After 5 minutes your vinyl record will be floppy and hot but not melted in a puddle see below

You can give your vinyl record a few more minutes to heat up if it is not very floppy after 5 minutes.

Take the tray out of the oven using the oven gloves your tray and bowl will be very hot, then grab your floppy record with the oven gloves it should be malleable but not dripping, and push it into your second ovenproof bowl to push it into a bowl shape.

I actually used a third bowl to push it down into the second bowl, once you have placed your record into the second bowl from the oven, you should be able to handle it with your hands as it will be warm but not too hot, work quickly to shape your bowl as it will cool and harden very quickly.

If you are not happy with your finished bowl shape, repeat the process again, by heating it up and moulding it to shape. If you want to use the bowls for food purposes I would suggest painting them with a clear acrylic sealant of some type.

These bowls are great for anything, one such idea is if you are stuck for a gift for a hard to buy for man then use a 7 inch record and make a loose change pot, just one of a hundred uses for these crafty little bowls.

Last final tip, do check ebay or somewhere similar to make sure your vinyl record is not a rare collectable item worth hundreds of pounds before you go melting it into a bowl, they aren't worth so much curled up like a quaver.