#SewPINK Initiative 2021:: Sew a Pink Wallet with Me!

It's October again, which brings Autumn to the northern hemisphere, but also is breast cancer awareness month. I've been doing some reflecting this year about how this has affected women I know; friends my age, and even my own cousin. It hits home, and it is a reality many of us will face. We can help make a difference to those that are affected by breast cancer, and with initiatives like this we can also make a cure a reality too. 

I've been asked to host a stop on the #SewPink initiative blog hop again, and I have a fun pink project to share with you! I am going to sew something PINK, and while you are reading all about it, I hope you are reflecting on the seriousness of testing and screening for breast cancer. Read my blog post, & see how you can win 1 of 2 gift cards worth $50.00 at emmalinebags.com. 

Last time I was in the #SewPINK Blog Hop, I stitched up one of Annie's fabulous patterns and had a lot of fun with it. This time I really wanted to work with some bright pink cork fabric so I could sew, but also do some painting on the edges with some bright pink edge paint. Working with edge paint always makes me feel like I have been doing some crafting as well as sewing, so this project ticks all of the "crafty" boxes for me - cut, sew, & paint!

I have been wanting to make a Key Fob Wallet, pattern by SewGnar, for ages. (We have the printed paper pattern in the shop, or you can get the PDF right from SewGnar.) SewGnar patterns are such excellent cork scrap busters, and I do have a lot of cork! 

The small wallet has a swivel hook for keys and a wristlet strap, a little zipper pocket on the back for coin, an ID pocket, and a few card slots and pockets inside. It closes tightly with a magnetic snap. So cute! 

The Key Fob Wallet

For this project I used some scraps of our Honeysuckle Pink cork, a 14" zipper in Pink Frosting, some of our nickel bag hardware from the shop. I used the Pink edge paint from the Girardini Basic Colour set, as well as the Dense Basecoat. I also added a piece of the RFID fabric to block credit card scanners. We sell this in the shop as well. It's not a lot of supplies, but put it together and I am really just so impressed with what a nicely finished wallet it is! It's so cute, but it also looks so nicely done. Yes, I am pretty proud of it. Pretty in Pink! 

While this isn't a complete sew-along, it is a great chance for me to share with you some tips for making this wallet, and also where to use the edge paint to cover those raw edges. In the pattern instructions you are recommended to paint the edges after the project is done, but I found that there are many edges you want to do first, since they are not accessible later. I'll let you know which edges to pre-paint before sewing, and give you a few tips to make this project super easy. So basically, I am just going to tell you how to skip back and forth to get the painting done! 

Some comments before you start! 

Tape or Glue? I used 1/8" double-sided tape everywhere where it was mentioned to use glue. I find this way less messy for me, and it sticks very well. I use the Be Creative brand we sell in the shop. The main thing to remember is to keep this out of any areas that will be stitched so that it doesn't gum up your needle.

1) Print and Prep Pieces: First of all, if you are using the PDF version of the pattern, you will need to tape the Main Body pieces A & B together before you start. If you are using the preprinted paper version, you just need to cut 1 Main Body panel. 

Cutting Out: You are given a choice to angle corners on the card slot pieces, outer body, and zipper pocket, but I only cut angles on the snap tab and zipper pocket. I left the card slots and outer body with squared corners this time. 

If you are using RFID cloth, glue or tape this where indicated onto the Inner Body piece. This is instructed right at the end of the cutting directions.

2) Follow the instructions in Step 2 for the ID window. 

SKIP!! After step 2 in the instructions, skip to step #5 to make the snap tab. We need this made first so it can be ready for edge painting.

Let's Get Painting!

Apply Basecoat and then edge paint using the method in my Youtube video (Video HERE), but only where indicated in purple in the photo below:

• all sides of the snap tab except the bottom edge
• top & right sides of card slot pockets
• 1 of the 1" sides of each of the zipper tab ends
• bottom edge of the zipper pocket (not the sides or top)
• 1 long side edge of the strap for the key fob (wrist strap)
• 2 long side edges of the D-ring attachment
• the 4 sides of the ID pocket, and top edge of the Main Body

I used 2 coats of Basecoat, and 2 coats of painting, sanding in between. I chose not to use the gloss coat on my paint this time because the paint was such a good match to the cork, I didn't want it to stand out too much with the gloss. Using the gloss or not is just preference. 

After these edges are painting, go back to step 3, and continue with the instructions. You can follow all of the rest of the instructions in the pattern directions until you get to the end step 10. 

Some Construction Tips!

I just have a few photos I took of my process of building the wallet below that I though would help along the way. 

Step 6: When making the Key Fob Strap, I drew 2 lines on the back of the strap, dividing it in 3. I added double-sided tape at the centre, then folded up the UNPAINTED edge to the middle first, and then the painted edge down over this and clip to hold in place. This process is shown in the photo below. 

After sewing and applying the rivet, you now have a key fob strap with the exposed edge painted, for a beautiful finish. 

Step 7: When making the zipper, I first stitched one zipper end (with the painted edge toward the middle of the zipper), and then measured and marked a line at 4". Then I taped a zipper end onto the zipper so that it was inside the 4" line, stitched it down, and then cut the end of the zipper off. This gave me a zipper with tabs on that measured 4". 

Step 9: Instead of glueing along the line where the zipper pocket is attached, I used some double-sided tape to hold it in place. Refer to the photos below for a visual guide to this process. It goes together pretty nicely!

Here is a picture of the zipper pocket done and stitched in place. The bottom edge of the zipper pocket is finished with edge paint!

Let's get back to the instructions! 

After completing steps 1-10, it's time to do a bit more painting BEFORE you start with step 11. First base coat and then edge paint the bottom end of the wallet with the card slots attached. We are not ready to do the long sides of the wallet yet! Since this is a bit thicker, with 3 layers, it did take me 3 coats of base coat for this. 

Finishing up! 

Now you can finish the wallet, completing steps 11 to 14. You will then be able to finish painting the sides of the wallet. Add a gloss coat if desired!

Looking gorgeous! The wallet is now done. The edge paint is durable and flexible and adds a very professional finish.  Since there is a lot of back and forth between steps, I think it would be best to make a few at a time so that you can just keep doing the coats before washing the applicator between steps. Next time I will make quite a few. 

Thank you for reading and following along with my PINK project! These are very handy little things and although you can definitely make them without edge paint, they do look so good with it. A little bit of planning is required if you want to make sure the right edges are pre-painted and the right edges are left until the end. I love putting a bit of extra thought into what I am doing, as it make a fun challenge. 

If you make any of these, please be sure to tag us on your social media so we can see!

During the rest of October 2021, we'd like to offer a chance for you to win 1 of TWO $50.00 gift cards to shop at emmalinebags.com. Join our giveaway below. Winners will be announced on Nov 1, 2021.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Blog Hop 2021 Schedule

✂ Oct. 1 (Fri):Fat Quarter Shop - The Jolly Jabber

✂ Oct. 2 (Sat):Sallie Tomato

✂ Oct. 4 (Mon): Hugs ‘N Kisses

✂ Oct. 6 (Wed): Sewfinity

✂ Oct. 11 (Mon):Beyond the Reef

✂ Oct. 13 (Wed): Great Heron Thread Co.

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Love You Sew

✂ Oct. 15 (Fri): Emmaline Bags

✂ Oct. 16 (Sat): Meadow Mist Designs

✂ Oct. 18 (Mon): OklaRoots

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Suzn Quilts

✂ Oct. 20 (Wed): Teresa Coates

✂ Oct. 22 (Fri): Knot and Thread Design

✂ Oct. 23 (Sat): Shannon's Studio

✂ Oct. 25 (Mon): The Littlest Thistle

✂ Oct. 27 (Thur): Mister Domestic

✂ Oct. 27 (Wed): Sookie Sews 

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection, and support for those affected by breast cancer. 

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.byannie.com/SewPink

To find screenings available near you: 

●      Breast Screen (Australia)

●      CDC.gov (US)

●      Canadian Cancer Society

●      WebMD (free screenings)

In addition to participating in the #SewPINK Initiative, Fat Quarter Shop invites you to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation with the goal of raising $10,000.

 

To find the #SewPINK donation to Fat Quarter Shop’s fundraiser visit: https://fundraise.nbcf.org/SewPINK