Hi everyone! I am sure I am not the only one trying to write with a 4-year-old hanging off the back of my chair and obnoxious cartoons playing in the background? In fact, you may be reading this in the same situation! But somehow I have found simple sewing to be easier than stringing together coherent sentences right now. And that’s what I have for you with this new pattern – simple sewing! Introducing the Card, Cash & Coin Combo.

I had to take some time off to let my hands heal after carpal tunnel surgery last year. It was supposed to be a 2-3 days of recovery that turned into 6+ months of increased pain. Hard to be creative when all of your focus is elsewhere, ya know? (OF COURSE YOU DO if you live on this planet right now.) So I wanted to jump back in with a simple project – for me and for all of you. After all three of us being knocked down by a non-pandemic-related virus for over a month (adenovirus is my nemesis!) it would only make sense that I finally have this ready for you in the middle of a global crisis, right?

This wallet is something that I’ve been using a version of forever. We live in a rural area with independent grocery stores and no big box / chain stores at all. The kind of shopping that requires loyalty/membership or store specific credit cards is almost two hours away. So I get away with having a super compact wallet for everyday use and then I stash my store cards in a separate “Green Bay Wallet” that I leave at home, since we never accidentally end up there. I also think these would be super sweet as a gift with a gift card, or for kids or teens who don’t carry much. On the rare occasion that I go into a store these days, I don’t like to take my bag and have more to disinfect later, so I’ve been sticking my wallet in one pocket and my phone in the other and leaving the rest behind. Of course, even with something to simple, I had to make it difficult (for me, not you) and still sewed about 27 prototypes before I was happy! 

There are just a couple features to share! The inside of the wallet has three card slots, and the third pocket is also deep enough to hold folded cash. There are no raw edges and no hand sewing as the wallet is turned through an opening in the lining of the pocket. You can choose from a hidden magnetic snap, a KAM snap, or elastic for the closure. The matching zippered coin pouch is the same size and meant to hang on a keychain with the wallet, facing the opposite direction. The zippered pouch also has no raw edges. 

 

There might be episodes of Numberblocks in the background, but this is short enough that I think I can manage to shoot a video for it. I will update you as soon as I’m able to get that done! Because this is such a beginner pattern, I want it to be 100% accessible. My patterns are all very approachable by beginners due to the detail of the instructions, but they aren’t all suitable for people who might be sewing for the very first time (which might be a lot of people who suddenly have time on their hands!) This one definitely is! You don’t need any hardware at all, just a bit of elastic for the wallet and a zipper for the zippered pouch. And we all have #3 zips lying around that aren’t the best choice for larger bags, so this is a great opportunity to use them! Get your copy while it’s on sale. All patterns are 20% off right now for SEWCIAL DISTANCING. 

As usual I must thank my testers, who jumped straight into this even with chaos surrounding us. The wallet and coin pouch instructions were intertwined at first and it was confusing, so they (nicely) insisted that I re-structure it. The end result is a lot clearer and I truly appreciate their honesty!

Margareth from @maggiemadebags made this adorable set with lobster clasps instead of key rings. I love that you can use whatever hardware you have on hand!

  Mimi’s fabric choice is the perfect scale for this pattern. Super cute and practical!

Candy (Grandma G) made a set from cork and one from fabric. I was wondering how cork would work and it did not disappoint!

 Janet from Forget-it-Not Designs made two amazing sets. I can’t decide which one I like more!

 Lindsay from LindsHandmade used waxed canvas. My favorite color!!

Cara from Early Bird Stitches made three wallets to try out each closure. So cute!

 Judi used ruffle elastic!! I was tempted but the color I had didn’t match. I’m so happy someone tried it!

Ruth made two sets. How pretty are those butterflies?

Yeechi usually just proofreads, but the editing took me a forever, so even with kids at home she had time to sew! I’m so happy because these are so pretty!

I’m not sure what’s up next. I have a dozen prototypes here ready to be written, and if I write them then I know they are there for you when things get back to normal and you eventually leave the house again and need a bag. But we are also all stuck at home, so I’m considering working on some smaller practical items, even if it’s just for fun. And I will definitely consider hardware choices (which I usually do anyway) as a lot of suppliers have stopped shipping at the moment. I’ve been asked for mask patterns, but I truly think the entire internet has that covered and I don’t have any healthcare expertise to add. I will hold off on a decision until I try sewing some and see how it goes.

As always THANK YOU and HAPPY SEWING (for real… do it if it makes you happy!) I’m thankful we have a hobby that we can do inside, so (except for our anxiety and kids and spouses in our way) we should be good to carry on during social distancing! Please, everyone try to stay healthy. I’m sending love to you ALL!  – Erin