A few wallets

 Hello,

Last week, I was pretty productive. I made a couple of wallets for orders and also finished 2 wallets from my WIP bucket! It feels good to be able to finish a few from the WIP list. 

This pink strawberry wallet is one of my best sellers! There's a Blue and Red one too in the shop. I love making this Nuno Small Wallet and is still my fave wallet to use for everyday, and I made one for my son too! 

 

Cute Strawberry Wallet

I love this wonderland fabric from Rifle Paper Co. Well, I love all their fabrics and purchased a few fabrics before the pandemic,  but now it's too expensive to buy because the shipping charge is pretty high. Anyway, I recorded the video when I was making this Wonderland wallet. I am still editing it now and hopefully will be able to share it soon! Pattern available HERE. 

Wonderland Bifold Wallet

When making a wallet, choosing the fabric combo always takes a long time for me. Sometimes, I even end up using a different combo than what I initially picked. 

(I had fun making the BTS video below!) 

The second WIP I finished was this Red Floral Wallet. The fabric is from Sevenberry and I love the tiny floral print. This time, I used metal zipper and I love how this turned out. Also for the zipper end, I used the metal zipper end cap. I kinda love it although putting the tiny screw on the cap was a bit hard for me! I need to get the small screw driver! 

Floral Small Wallet

Small Bifold Wallet  

Earlier this week, I went to the Post Office with Meenakshi, from Rustic Origin. We thought we'll check the latest update regarding sending parcel via India Post. It was totally waste of time because the person in charge in the main Guwahati PO were not interested or not willing to help.  So we deciced to go hang out for a bit at the Starbucks at the Brahmaputra Heritage Center. It's good we decided to go there because the view is so good. I think during sunset would be lovely! 

Brahmaputra Heritage Centre

Brahmaputra River

After chilling out in Starbucks we went back to the PO and I still could not send my parcels. I decided to go the the University PO near my house, instead. The lady at the PO is very nice and seems to be well informed, and very helpful. Finally all my packages were on their way. 

In front of the University PO

This week, I will catching up on my Quilting Bee block. I have 2 blocks to finish! Wish me luck! 

Until next time,

Happy Sewing

Elvira

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Some quilting and sewing

Mini Quilts

Hello, how are you doing? I've been busy with many random things the past few weeks. I share this scrappy mini pillow on my Instagram a few weeks ago. I made it for fun and to test hand quilting using cotton thread which I got from the local shop.  The mini pillow is for wrist pillow when I am working on my computer. And I just had fun while taking photos. Hmm, I think it can be a doll pillow too. 

I also finished a couple of wallet orders and face mask orders too. Thank you for always supporting handmade! I know there is a lot of more pretty stuff out there that is cheaper and prettier, so I am truly grateful when someone chooses to buy my handmade instead. It really means a lot. 

In the past 2 years, the e-commerce business has really boomed and the online market is flooded with all kinds of products. And of course, the competition is tougher too. It is a very challenging year but I believe that if we create with heart and sincerity, it will pay off. I always try to move forward at my own pace. Although sometimes, I got caught up in the 'rate race" of social media. I think we should not lose focus on our goals, things that make us happy. For me, to be able to create something and share my knowledge makes me happier. This reminded me of one quote from one drama I watched that goes

" you cannot just move forward and leave your heart behind".

 

This statement stuck with me for a few days, trying to make a sense of it. What do you think of the quote? 

Mini Zipper Wallet

Ikat Family Passport Holder

Singing Face Masks

I started another Kawandi pillow too and this is the current state! I am still not able to get time to continues as I am currently working on my next pattern! I hope I will be able to release the pattern by end of next week. 

There are so many things  I want to learn and experiment with.  Well, I did a couple of experiments that were halfway done and stashed in my WIP box. I think I will just make a video and show you all what's on my WIP box one day. 

Kawandi Pillow WIP

I also went with my son for his IELTS tests last week. The place was near my fave shop, so I went there (after 2 years!)  and a pick up a couple of kurtas. I can't resist Indian print tunics! 

And when you saw the window with patterns that remind you of quilting lines, you must take a photo! Yup, that was me, taking a selfie with the window :)

looking out 

The weather is pretty chilly and dry these past few days. My MIL's flowers are blooming beautifully this time. No, I can't grow plants. Somehow, they always die when I try to grow one. LOL. 

We also got a new baby calf yesterday.

Thank you for stopping by! Wherever you are, please take care and stay safe! 

Have a nice day,

Elvira

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Busy Weeks

Indian Fabric Bundles

I've been very busy in the past two weeks following my decision to discontinue selling fabrics. After checking my stocks, I decided to create another Webshop, just for fabrics. Since I have many varieties, I thought it will be easier for the buyers to check in one website instead of messaging me on Instagram or Facebook. It will be an easier and cheaper option for me to have a full catalog on one website. What do you think?

I will try to finish importing all the listings from Etsy by the end of the month, as I plan to discontinue selling fabrics there from January 2022 onwards. Many of my friends asked me WHY? Well, frankly, I started selling fabrics just for FUN and as I am getting more buyers, I don't really enjoy it anymore. I just want to do more sewing and quilting as I don't see myself being a full-fledged fabric shop owner in the future. 

I got the idea from one of the blogs (sorry I forgot, I will put the link when I recall it) about destashing by offering Pay Shipping Only. I listed a couple of embroidered applique motifs and they are sold out in a couple of hours. I will be adding more as I have a few ribbons and what's not from my dressmaking days. 

 Setting up a new website ( I use Ecwid) is super easy as I can start selling within a few minutes. However, importing listing, photos, and writing details take a bit of time. I'm working on it for a couple of hours in the morning in the past few days and in the evening I work on my orders and WIPS. Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand! 

Here's a couple of sewing that I completed these past few days! 

This passport holder was ready to sew a few weeks ago! So happy to finally finish it. I still have a couple more to complete.  Meanwhile, this family passport wallet is available in the Shop now. 

Ohana Family Passport Wallet | Pattern

This small wallet is one wallet that I never get tired of making. You can find the pattern with the video tutorial here. 

Small Fabric Wallet

NUNO SMALL WALLET

My sister in Indonesia also asked for more face masks, so I'll be making more of this breathe easy face mask and sending them to my sisters and my mom. 

International shipping is pretty challenging in the past 2 years. And the most recent one was that for now, India Post will not send mails to US and Canada until further notice. As a small business owner/Etsy India sellers, this is really a big blow for the business, since most of us rely on India Post for cheaper shipping rates. For now, there's a major delay delivering orders even via FedEx. I've been sending orders via DHL Express in the past weeks. Even though it is more expensive but it is more reliable. 

I wish Etsy will have a better Delivery Setting. Just like on my Website, where I can set up shipping to certain countries with multiple shipping options. Buyers can choose the shipping that fits their budget. 

Kids face mask with head loop

So that's all that kept me busy in the past weeks. Now I need to take a break, enjoy some slow stitching and maybe make Indonesian Satay for the boys :)

Thank you for stopping by today, have a wonderful day!

Elvira

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Video Tutorial - How to Sew Zip Around Fabric Wallet

Watch on Youtube

Finally, I finished editing the video tutorial for Nuno Small Bifold Wallet and upload it on Youtube. Pheew, that's one big list I can tick off my list this week. I hope it helps you to visualize when you decide to make the wallet.

I made the zip-around version of the wallet in the video and I also included how to add 2 in 1 exterior zipper pocket. 

Download the Pattern

This Nuno wallet is pretty quick to sew. It takes longer to choose the fabric combo than actually sewing it:). This time, I learn to add a timestamp to the video description, so that you can just click the link and go to the part that you want to know more in detail. 

The zipper closure is only using single zipper tape. You can use this zipper closure technique for any wallet. This is my fave zipper closure method now. Do let me know if you want a picture tutorial for this method. 

Also read: Zip Around Wallet with Binding

I also made this Wonderland Nuno Wallet with Exterior Zipper for a customer on Etsy. She wanted 2 card slot sets inside and a zipper pocket on the outside.  When I showed her the 2 in 1 pocket, she readily agreed. 

Nuno Small Bifold Wallet features: (use coupon CVG20 to get 20% off )

- Spacious Bill Compartment

- 4 Slots for Cards

- Snap Coin Pocket

- 2 optional closure using snap button or zipper

- Additional Tutorial for 2 in 1 Exterior Zipper Pocket

- Easy construction method.

Now let's check out the video and please let me know what you think. 

Thank you for stopping by today. Don't forget to share if you find this post is useful.

Take care & happy sewing!

Elvira

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Adding 2 in1Zipper Pocket to Nuno Small Wallet

 

Nuno Small Wallet Pdf Pattern

I got a few questions about adding an exterior zipper pocket on a wallet after I posted several wallets I made with a zipper pocket on my Instagram. I really like this kind of pocket because you get 2 exterior pockets and looks so cute! And my customers loved them too. 

So, as promised here's a quick tutorial for you all. This is I added a zipper pocket on Nuno Small Wallet. This will work with any wallet, like this mini travel wallet I made last month. 

Nuno Bifold Wallet

Let's get started:

1. Cut 2 pieces of zipper pocket lining the same size as the wallet main body panel. Then cross-cut one of the wallet lining and the exterior body panel (cut the exterior after interfacing is applied).

2. Sandwich the zipper between the exterior and the lining and sew in place using a scant 1/4" seam allowance. 

3. Pull the exterior and lining panels away from the zipper so that the wrong side is together and topstitch using 1/8" seam allowance. And since I am using a longer zipper here, I cut one end of the zipper at this stage. This way it's easier to line up the panels while sewing the other part of the pocket.

4. Now repeat step 3 with the other panels. 

5. Cut off the other end of the zipper after you pull the zip head in. Stitch on both ends of the zipper to prevent it from sliding off the zipper tape. 

This is how it looks on the reverse side. 

6. On the reverse side, place the remaining lining panel on top of it, right side together. Sew the short sides of the lining together (don't sew through the exterior panel) and then baste stitch the long sides too. The finished size of the exterior with the zipper panel should be the same size as the main body panel. This is where the seam allowance while attaching the zipper is important. The zipper tape I used is a little narrow, hence I used a scant 1/4" seam allowance. 

7. Now your exterior wallet with zipper pocket is ready. Proceed according to the pattern to finish the wallet. 

What do you think? It's super easy, right? I'm working on a video tutorial now and hopefully will be up on my Youtube Channel by end of this week. Wish me luck!

If you have any questions, you can write them on the comment below or you can reach me via Instagram or our Facebook Group. I'll be glad to help you. 

If you find the tutorial helpful, please share it with your friends and on your social media accounts. 

By the way, I will be changing the platform for delivering the blog into your email since Google has announced that they will discontinue Feedburner which I'm currently using. I'm still learning the rope of using the new platform, so please bear with me. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience. Thank you so much for always supporting me. 

Until next time,

Take care & stay safe!

Elvira

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