I’ve been teasing you all for weeks, so I am super excited to officially introduce you to my new pattern, Get Carded!
As usual, this one has a fun little story behind the name. As I was trying to come up with a new design, I asked on the Facebook page what features you wanted. Zipper coin pouch, wrist strap, lots of card pockets, etc. Leila said she liked having a clear pocket so she could flash her ID. (Insert weeks of jokes about flashing here.) Then Bob kept insisting that because there is no flat notes pocket, it’s technically a card wallet. (Which is true, but I don’t remember the last time I used a big wallet?) At some point during this I bought wine, and got carded, and thought about all of us 30-somethings who get excited when we still get carded, and then I thought of Leila flashing her ID, and this had to be the name. So, I actually, sort-of, named one of my own patterns! And it doesn’t have Zip in the name! Woo! :D
Sidenote: The ladies at the local grocery store think I only ever buy wine and bananas… because I don’t do my regular shopping there but they are the only ones who sell my $5 Lindeman’s Pinot Grigio. So I stop in every week or so to buy a bottle, and I usually buy bananas too because I like bananas and they only stay ripe a few days. So every week I’m in there getting carded to buy my wine and bananas. Oh the stories they must go home and tell… But now I can do it with my cute little wallet!!
So, let me tell you about it:
First, the inside has five card slots. Why five? Because the side with the zip is matched with the side with only two pockets. The back pocket on that side is deeper for folded notes (Sorry Bob :P) and coupons. The front pocket is perfect for your main debit or credit card that you always need to find quickly. Keeping the bulk down on this side means you have more room in the outside zip pocket for coins. Add that to the expandability of the ruffle or pleat, and even those of you who have $1 and $2 coins should be good to go. The other side has three card slots and matched with the ID pocket on the outside, so you can fill that baby up with all of your cards.
The ID pocket is constructed to give your presser foot minimal contact with the plastic.
There is a fabric option for the outside, although I would stick to coupons or receipts as this is less secure than the plastic option. (But so pretty!)
A flat version of the zipper pocket is included. This makes it a very pocketable wallet! The pleat is a nice compromise between the two. EASY to sew if you struggle with the ruffles, and still gives a bit of expandability. You may find some fabrics just work better with different options. (For example, these would look lovely flip flopped – with the flowers flat and the green one pleated!)
Add a wrist strap (instructions included!), or a tab to add a split ring, or leave it off entirely. The whole thing is only 3.5″ x 4.5″ (thickness will depend on how much you stuff in there!)
Several prototypes helped me come up with the right amount of space in the middle to make it close well whether mostly empty or packed full. :)
And finally, you can make this from two fat quarters (one for the outside, one for the inside) and there is NO hand sewing. There is a trick to this that makes it easier to sew (ALL unnecessary bulk is eliminated) and requires no hand sewing at the end. Topstitch and done! The ruffle is the slowest part, but the pleated option takes 5 minutes. Testers are reporting about 3 hours start to finish. Once you don’t need to follow the instructions step-by-step, you can probably get that down to two. That include cutting and interfacing! It’s a lot of pieces, but print your pattern on card stock and save the pieces for next time, or just rotary cut the whole thing. If you’re like me, you won’t be able to stop making these until you have one in all of your favorite fabrics!
Okay, I would buy your patterns just because I enjoy reading the descriptions so much. You always make me laugh! But also, your patterns are SO fabulous. This one is going on my wishlist/to-do list. I’ve sewn several versions of a similar little wallet from patterns off other blogs, which are all wonderful, but you have managed to incorporate all the best elements from everyone’s “wish list” in such a perfectly proportioned wallet, just the size I love so much. You nailed it, girlie!! I can’t wait to get mine. It’s next on my HAVE TO BUY list.
Hehehe that makes it worth writing all the silly stories! Thank you!!
Wow, you certainly covered every option, and they’re all SO CUTE! I can see making one (or more) in every style! Way to go, Erin!
I sure tried to make sure there was something for everyone, but mostly I just couldn’t stop making them. :)
Hi,
Can´t believe I did not find your blog sooner, just reading it up and down now, great!
Greetings from Germany
Susanne
Welcome! :)
I already bombard you on IG, but wanted to say as I was picking my fabric for this today (I bought it at like 7 a.m.!) I realized I want to make one for myself for every season. :-)
After I make a “normal” one I want to try some laminated cotton I have.
My husband also asked for one, too! He is SUPER picky about wallets!
Julie
Making picky husbands happy is quite the accomplishment! Woohoo!
He can’t wait – just have to find some fabric.
Now that I’ve actually used my wallet for several days I LOVE IT EVEN MORE!!!!!
I’m so glad I put a strap on it!
I’ll definitely be getting this one soon! I have a friend who has carried a very similar leather version attached to her keys instead of a purse since her college days. They stopped making the college versions (switched to lanyards) and she’s been trying to find a replacement option before her last one falls apart. She is very excited about this pattern even though she doesn’t sew. =)
I keep hearing fun stories like this. I’m thrilled everyone likes it! :D
Brooke – that’s exactly why I wanted this, too! I carried a similar thing in college (long, long, ago) and my son does now. Since my kids are teens and I don’t have to haul stuff for them anymore, I rarely carry a purse (and when I do it’s a Two-Zip Hipster!).
I’ve been using my wallet for several days now and LOVE IT! So not only did I have fun making it and it filled a need, but it is so practical and makes me happy!
Love my Get Carded wallet Erin, its such a cute design. My new go to pattern for gifts xx thanks!
Yay!!!! Thanks! :)
Wow! I get so excited to see this pattern. I was looking for a wallet tutorial to make one for my girl for her school. ID card holder and zipper pocket is a MUST. I’m getting the pattern now! Thanks for all the hard work. Hopefully I will be able to find all the interfacing to complete the wallet. Thanks!
Thank you! If you can’t find it, let me know and I can suggest some alternatives.
Another pattern to add to my collection! But thanks to a snow day, I’m making this one today! My daughter has been asking for a new wallet and I’ve just been waiting for this pattern to come out, so thanks Erin, I can’t wait to make it!
Yay snow? That feels weird to say. I think we’re all over the snow!
If we buy the pattern for $12 can we sell the items we make?
Yep! The license for my purchased patterns allows you to make items for your Etsy shop or similar. :)
[…] easily put together an intermediate level pattern with her directions! She just came out with her Get Carded pattern and I made sure to purchase on the first day […]
Hi, I love this pattern, have been looking for exactly this type of wallet for ages.
I have just bought the pattern and will be trying it out soon – just wondering if this would work with a denim or canvas fabric alone without interfacing?
Thanks Tina! I think you could use denim on the outside, though probably not with the ruffle, but I would recommend using a quilting cotton lining. The biggest layer of interfacing is added at the end, and not in the seams, so eliminating it doesn’t do much good for eliminating bulk in the side seams. Good luck!
I was so tickled to see sewing (complete with VIP Jo-Ann Fabric’s card) and Tom Paris. Made me want to Sew and Star Trek today on my snow day!
Sewing and Star Trek is the best combination!!
Charging SO MUCH for this pattern is a real rip off…how can you sleep charging this much?
Hi Ellen! It looks like you’ve not actually purchased any of my patterns, so perhaps you’re just basing your comment on the cover photo? Perhaps reading the previous blog post will help you understand just how much goes into writing one of my patterns: https://www.dogundermydesk.com/2014/01/prototyping-progress-coming-soon/ I’m sure if you were to attempt to develop a pattern from scratch similar to this, you would waste far more then $14 worth of time and materials and the headaches that my pattern allows you to avoid.
Most PDF patterns are in the $8-16 range. I chose a higher price for this pattern to reflect just how much time went into writing it, and how complex and detailed the pattern is. My newest batch of patterns have hundreds of photos illustrating them. When compared to similar wallet patterns, I felt Get Carded offers far more than the typical $10-$12 pattern. Most of my newer patterns will reflect this higher pricing, as this is the only way to support myself so that I can continue to write patterns.
If you’re a follower, you’ve probably read that last year I basically stuffed everything I own into my childhood bedroom to try to pay medical bills and dig out of debt from a divorce. I could do a Kickstarter, or a go-fund-me, but instead I choose to do what I do best, write and sell patterns.
This is my full time job. The Get Carded launch gave me my best month ever, after 3 years of pattern writing, and I made the equivalent of $16/hour before taxes based on a 40 week job. I then had to immediately start the process over again, as I’ve done with the Gadget Guard. So, to answer your question, I don’t sleep. I chug coffee like water to stay awake and often work 16 to 20 hour days to get these patterns done to my standards. I don’t write a pattern every week or two because it takes me more than a week or two to write a pattern. Instructions aren’t written in an evening, photos aren’t taken in a day. I make and re-make prototypes until they are absolutely perfect.
I write a very specific style of pattern, one that doesn’t simply tell you to “insert zipper” but maps out each step with multiple photos and points out potential mistakes. My linings are finished clean, and you won’t be told to zig zag or bias tape them. I like to describe my patterns as being “excessively detailed” and my customers are appreciative. My patterns are like classes or lessons. If you don’t feel like my pattern is worth $14, I’m sure you can find plenty of free tutorials that might suit your needs, although I assure you a freebie zippered pouch is not the same as this incredible pattern.
It might be helpful next time to have all of the information before judging. When Bob surprised me by showing up 5 days early yesterday, we went out to dinner and then I went BACK TO WORK. He flew in all the way from Sydney and I tucked him into bed with my dogs and I went back to work. I have a pattern to launch and I’m the only one who can do it. That’s how much this business means to me, and staying in business means charging a sustainable price. If the choice is a $14 awesome wallet pattern, or no new patterns, my customers have overwhelmingly chosen $14 wallet pattern. I do hope you understand. :)
I just discovered your site :-) I had already decided I was buying the PDF for this awesome wallet when I saw Tom Paris (obviously you are awesome since you sew AND enjoy Trek)..but when I read the above comment and your reply…I was even more convinced to purchase. Thanks for taking the time to write out the pattern. I am sure I will enjoy it.
Thank you :) So much work goes into them, it makes me happy when you all enjoy them so much!
[…] easily put together an intermediate level pattern with her directions! She just came out with her Get Carded pattern and I made sure to purchase on the first day […]
A. Those bags are adorable!
B. OMGSH, your RDM autograph is awesome.
I just wanted to say thanks for the Get Carded wallet pattern! It’s super easy to make and fun to give away as a gift. I’ve made a lot since I have had the pattern. My daughter seems to always have a friend or two that have birthday’s and she’s forgotten to get them a gift. I personally love this pattern as I get to pick what fabric and zippers I like and have a wallet with in a day or two. I don’t carry a purse and this works great for me.
Hi, I love the “Get Carded” pattern as it has all the desired compartments. I began cutting out the
pieces today but I am having trouble with the application of the interfacing. I cannot figure out which fabric piece
goes with which interfacing piece. Do you have more detailed instructions that tell the size fabric that the particular size interfacing should be applied? I guess my mind doesn’t wrap around your pictures. I’m an older crafter making this for a niece. Any additional instructions will be of help. Thank you.