Cash Envelope Sew Along! Day 1: Starting & Cutting

This post is part of the Cash Envelope Sew Along.

You can read more about this here, along with all with the list of all other related posts.

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If you are just joining us, or find this at a later date,

 we are using the pattern from Walter & Veronica. You can find it on Etsy or Craftsy.

A great place to find great zippers at a great price is Zipit on Etsy, 

and pick up some great fabric from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics and you will definitely be saving in style. ;)

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Please share any of your photos in the from blank pages... flickr group!

Wahoo! It's finally Monday! :) How about we get started with our Cash Envelope Wallets! :)

First, let me tell you what the schedule will be this week, so you know what to expect. 

• Monday: Cut and fuse (All Fabric Prep)
• Tuesday: Construct the cover with inner pockets
• Wednesday: Tackling zippers and constructing the zippered pockets (single fabric pockets as well as the multiple fabric pockets)
• Thursday: Sew everything together and finish
• Friday: Finish and Linky Party Giveaway - closes March 10th.

I am hoping this schedule will work well. Some days may be shorter than others, and you are welcome to go ahead and finish your wallet up all at once. But I think, especially for the Zippers, it might be nice to break it up a little. Plus, I will be going through any variations of the pattern that I do as we go (I suggest a few changes if making it out of cotton instead of oil cloth).

If you have any questions along the way, be sure to leave them in the comments and I will get back to you through email (so leave your email address if you are a no-reply blogger). I will also either answer them in the next days post, or write up another post, if it is something that might help everyone.

***Please READ each post BEFORE starting, so you don't miss the adjustments that I make to the pattern for sewing with cotton. If you are sewing with oil cloth, follow the pattern - not my instructions.***

Wallet Overview:

A quick overview of the wallet so we are all on the same page with all the different pieces.

Any questions? :) 

Cutting Your Fabric:

Once you have decided which fabric will be for what pieces, start cutting them according to the directions in the pattern - with a few exceptions!! Any with (*) are optional, but it's how I'm doing it. Any measurements that I list are different than the measurements in the pattern.

Changes:

• *cut (2) of the main piece instead of (1) - you don't need the inner Main piece, but I decided to add it so I can use the large pockets and have some decorations in them. :)  UPDATE: CUT MAIN PIECES 9" x 8.25" - this will make it wide enough to add some finishing stitching around the edges when you are done and still be able to use the card holders.
• Decoritive Piece: CUT: 8.5" x 1.75" 9" x 1.75"
• IF you are making each zipper pocket with different fabrics: Do NOT cut the zipper pocket pieces. INSTEAD (you can stack your fabrics and cut them all at the same time) CUT: (6) 7.75" x 8.5" and then CUT them in half so you have: (12) 7.75" x 4.25"
• *(6) 2" x 4" pieces - same fabric as zipper pockets for zipper ends  these didn't work for me so ignore this.
• For the velcro, female side, cut it 9" long instead of what is listed.

In Addition to these pieces you need INTERFACING to help add structure. CUT:

• (1) 8" x 7.75" 8.5" x 7.75" Heavy-weight interfacing - for the main piece. (I talked about using fusible fleece, but decided against it. You still could if you want a quilted look. I would still add the H-W interfacing onto the inside piece.) 
• (2) 3.75" x 7.75" Heavy-weight interfacing* (you could use light weight if you want) - for the large inner pockets
• (3) 3.75" x 1.75" Light-weight interfacing for the card pockets
• (1) 3.75" x 3.75" Light-weight interfacing for the checkbook/back pocket
• (1) 3.75" x 2.25" light-weight interfacing for the DL pocket
• The following are all cut the same size as the corresponding pieces in the pattern.
• *(6) light-weight interfacing for the zipper pocket pieces (if you are using different fabrics for these pockets, still only cut (6) the same size as the zipper pocket pieces in the pattern!)

TIPS:

If using directional fabrics, the 8.25" sides are what will connect to the zippers

 

For all the different pockets, cut a piece that is 4.25" x 13.75"

Then cut it into the smaller pieces.

 

I stacked all my pocket fabric together and cut my big square out, and then cut that in half, giving me (12) pieces.

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I am making 2 different wallets so I can show you how to make it 

(A) with all the same pockets, or 

(B) with different pockets. 

(I'll try to keep this simple so it doesn't get confusing! Let me know if it does.) 

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Here is what you should have after cutting:

Style A (with all the same pockets)

...as well as the vinyl and velcro.

Style B (with different pockets)

notice I did not cut the  fusible interfacing for the zipper pockets.

FUSE INTERFACING:

For Style A - go ahead and fuse all the interfacing to the corresponding pieces.

The interfacing for the Interior Large pockets as well as the Main pieces are smaller than the fabric. Make sure to center the interfacing so it's right in the middle.
(I adjusted the measurements so that the interfacing on all of smaller pockets are smaller than the fabric. You will want to place the interfacing in the center - just like the large inner pockets - not as shown. I did this because it will help reduce bulk when assembling the wallet.)

Pocket pieces with interfacing on the wrong side of fabric.

Fuse according to the directions that come with your interfacing.

For Style B - fuse all the pieces EXCEPT the zipper pockets. We will fuse those when we work on the pockets on Wednesday.

The interfacing for the Interior Large pockets as well as the Main pieces are smaller than the fabric. Make sure to center the interfacing so it's right in the middle.
(I adjusted the measurements so that the interfacing on all of smaller pockets are smaller than the fabric. You will want to place the interfacing in the center - just like the large inner pockets - not as shown. I did this because it will help reduce bulk when assembling the wallet.)

Alright, that's it for now!! :) Tomorrow we'll start sewing!

Remember to ask any questions you may have! I'm happy to help. :)

Feel free to add any photos to the flickr group here!