Mini Pouches, Fabrics and The Goats

Blue Floral Keychain Wallet

This week I am a bit relaxed. I did a lot of cleaning and organizing in the sewing room and finished a couple of wallet orders. Clean table makes me more inspired to sew. Actually I tried to clean up after making orders,  but when working on several orders and projects, it's just too bothersome to clean up everyday. I tried, but always failed. So now I stop trying haha. I will put the piles aside and will clean it up at least once a week. 

Once in a blue moon, my table is clean

This week I made several Twinnie pouches, a few for orders and the rest to keep as ready to ship in my Etsy Shop. Even though it's quick to sew, but it's really helpful when I have a few wallets ready to ship. The pink patchwork pouch is one of the best sellers. I have one more set in the shop now. 

Floral Keychain Pouches 

I also finished Nuno Wallet order in this lovely green floral. The fabric is from Rifle Paper co. Sometimes I posted a short video on my YouTube Channel when I am hand stitching the wallet binding and a few weeks ago someone asked why I hand sew it. Sewing the binding by machine makes me nervous actually and frankly, I prefer to hand sew the binding as it always turned out neater. 

Green Floral Wallet

*****

This week I also take a couple of fabric photos  to be listed in the shop. I still have a few fabrics which I recently procured but have not got time to take photos and edit it. Nowadays I mostly take photos using my iPhone as it's easier for me to edit and upload it. Here are a few that I recently added in the shop. 

These fabrics are 100% cotton. Sometimes I kept aside a few prints that I love, and recently I got a few tops made. I'll take photos next time I am wearing them. 

Red Hand Block Print Fabric

Biscuit Beige Hand Block Print Cotton Fabric

Small Floral Print

Green Floral Cotton Fabric

I shipped a few orders too this week. When shipping out orders, I try to keep it as simple as possible to minimize the cost since most my orders are for foreign buyers. And I try to use more eco-friendly packaging and  use as minimal plastic as possible, but considering the weather and the distance, this is the best I can do right now. My recent favorite is using this honeycomb paper bubble wrap. 

my DIY Packaging for Keychain :)

Minimalist fabric packing - Pink Fabric 

My friend, Eva, also came to visit us this week with her two adorable daughters. The younger one especially loves animal and we took her to feed the goats some breads. The goats (Karan and Arjun) loves eating bread. In the end, she also gobbled up a slice of bread. She's just too cute. Many children scared of animals, but this little one was just rushing and eager to play with the goats and the cows. It was one fun afternoon. 

That's all for today. Thank you so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoy reading my blog. 

Have a nice day!

Elvira

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On-Point Log Cabin Patchwork Batik Wallet

I made this patchwork batik wallet a few months ago for my Kawandi guru. She wanted Rosie Wallet  after seeing these patchwork wallets.  After series of discussion, we decided to use Bali batik. So excited! 

She wanted more space for cards, so I added more more slots from the original pattern and increase the height by 1 inch to accommodate it. 

The wallet is pretty small, so deciding the patchwork style took longer than I expected. I tried different style of log cabin blocks but decided to settled for this on-point log cabin using 1" wide strips. I really love how the blocks turned out! 

 

I did not use interfacing in this wallet since the fabric is thick enough but I used needle punch polyester batting and  hand quilting it all around. The jewelry plyers really helps pulling the needle when hand quilting. I kind of liking it as I can stab a few stitches and pull it without any difficulties! But frankly, I really need to catch up with my weight training workout this year! 

Rosie Wallet is beginner's wallet that is easy to put together. I have full step-by-step video tutorial HERE. I really enjoyed the process of making this wallet! Here's more photos of the finished wallet. 

Interior: 6 card slots + 2 slip pockets + snap closure

The finished wallet 

 

2 in 1 zipper pocket

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE WALLET COLLECTION

And here's the trial log cabin block. Let's see what I'll make, maybe a simple patchwork coin purse or another Rosie Wallet! 

The wallet is already received with love :). I'm so grateful for the support of fellow crafters here in India. It's really a great honor for me to make something for other makers! 

That's all for today. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Have a nice day,

Elvira

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Rosie Wallet with Flap Closure

Handmade Wallets

Hello,

Last month, I made a few Rosie Wallet orders. This time the customer wanted a flap closure. This is one quick wallet that you can make over the weekends. The original pattern has a hidden button closure.

This year I promise myself I won't buy new fabrics and will only sew from my stash! and these are some of them. Last month I was busy sorting out my fabric stash, organizing my bag-making supplies and organising my WIPs. I found this metal button which matches perfectly for the wallet! Metal buttons, especially the antique color, give out rustic vibes, which I love. 

 

I use handloom or hand-woven cotton fabric from my stash for the fabric combo. I have always been fond of Indian handloom - its multi-hued colour looks very nice for my projects to use as an accent or combo. It's also easy to work with. 

Rosie Wallet pattern

The Rosie wallet is small and compact, it's just perfect to carry around every day. I love to carry one when I use a smaller handbag or crossbody bag. Nowadays, with mobile payment becoming more common, I hardly have to carry my credit or debit cards although I can literally fit in 10 cards in this small wallet. 

You can check out my latest wallets in my ETSY shop or on my WEBSITE. 

And if you want to make your own Rosie Wallet, it's available on my ETSY SHOP  and SEW MODERN BAG

Thank you for stopping by today! 

Have a nice day 

Elvira 

 

VIDEO TUTORIAL - SAFARI TRAVEL WALLET

Safari Travel Wallet Video

Hello, 

Finally, the video tutorial for the Safari Travel Wallet is up on my YouTube Channel. I hope the video can help to visualize how to make the wallet from the beginning. I am trying to get a better angle as I recorded the video and also try not to skip the process. The video is sped up  2 to 3 times from the original. If you want to watch it at a slower speed, you can do so by clicking the setting on your YouTube screen.  

The original pattern only has instructions for flap closure which is pretty easy, but as many customers like zip-around closure more, I decided to make the video for the zip-around version. If anyone wants to see the flap closure version, I will record one when I make my next wallet. Do let me know in the comment.

Cute Zipper End 

Zip Around Travel Wallet

I really enjoy recording the video and I really hope to share more sewing tutorials in the future. If you heard some funny noise in between the videos, that's because my son was watching a football match, or sometimes, someone came and asked something in the middle of the recording. Maybe I should put a sign like "recording in progress, do not disturb" LOL

I hope you find the video useful and you can understand the process of making the wallet. I'm looking forward to your feedback! 

Thank you for stopping by,

Elvira

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Few Small Wallets and new Etsy Search Algorithm

Black Cat Wallet!

I've been having a lot of fun making a few bi-fold wallets! I tried out different fabrics, from quilting cotton to linen and denim.

It feels good to finally sewing wallets and stuff after so many months making face masks. I'm still making a few for family and friends and also offer face masks in my Etsy Shop. The Trio Spacious Face Masks is quite popular and it feels good to get nice feedback from buyers! Thank you !!

Besides that, last month I was busy with getting my tax ID done. Lucky me, my dear hubby is a CA so he's been a great help. I am totally blank when it comes to tax! Finally, all those are done and there's a couple of things I need to do regarding my small business. After getting my GSTIN done, I feel like I'm doing a real business. It's scary at the same time! I need to learn more and get all my papers organized! Wish me luck!

Back to the wallet, I'm working on the pattern right now. It's progressing quite slow, I am about 70% done with the editing, I just need to edit a couple of photos and add them in the pattern! There will be a zipper version and a flap version. I'm so excited to share the pattern. It's super easy! Once I'm done with a few custom orders, I'll be able to sit and finish the pattern.  Hopefully, I can release it within this month. 

 Small Bifold Wallet

The above photo is a few of the flap versions that I made and they are available in the SHOP now. And here's the zipper version:

ETSY NEW SEARCH POLICY

By the way, last week in the Etsy Q3 report, they said they are going to implement Personalized search. WHich means Etsy is doing what Google and others are doing. What does this mean? This mean:

1. Etsy is showing potential buyers search results based on their search history. 

2. Every buyer will see a different result even if they search using the same keywords.

3. Etsy is showing more local shops. But if you sold one item to a buyer from a particular city, state, or country, your products might be shown in the search result of that particular city, state, or country. This happened to me several times last month, where I sold a few items to people in the same state in the USA within a week. 

If you want more in-depth analysis you can tune in to Kara Buntin Youtube Channel. She's the best! I learned a lot from her video series and her class! 

Now, what can we do as an Etsy Seller in India?

1. Do not change your keywords right now. Instead, observe your Etsy stats more and start working on your social media marketing. I shared about Basic Pinterest Marketing with Etsy India Sellers at our Monthly community meet last month. 

2. Optimize your listing, especially those which don't get enough views or visit. Etsy search trend changes every week or so. Optimizing old listing or almost expired listing, do help in boosting in search placement. 

3. If you're using Etsy ads, make sure to optimize the listing before put them in Ads!

I hope these little tips help! Competition is tough everywhere, but if you learn how to do it properly and hold on to your dreams, you will make it!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Have a nice day!

Elvira

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Last week story and mini travel wallets

It's already mid of September and we're still staying home as much as we can! Thank God for the internet, at least I can video call my family back home in Indonesia. I really miss my 4 years old nephew who is now a big fan of BTS, yes, he's our little "Army". 

I am still getting used to working with wrist splint. Since last month my carpal tunnel syndrome has gotten a little worse. So now I am batching my work and taking frequent breaks to do stretching. Sometimes I rest for 2 days if the pain is too much. I don't want to exert myself at this point. But the brace does help. I ordered gloves too actually from amazon but the only sent me this and refunded the gloves. 

Last week, I went to meet my Indonesia friend Eva to drop avocadoes for her. It was the first weekend after the lockdown was lifted in my city. We had a lot of avocadoes this summer. And in the afternoon, Plabita came and collect a few avocados. Well, visiting is not advisable right not with cases seems to be going up day by day. We only met outside in the garden, maintaining our distance, and wearing a mask. But it's really lovely to meet friends in the real world :D. She said she's never seen an avocado tree in her life! Well, avocados are not easily available here and recently gaining popularity that the price can go up to INR 500 for one. That's crazy!

From the sewing room, I made this cute matryoshka travel wallet back in June in between sewing masks. Mask wearing is going to stay now and I'm glad that many people are wearing it now. I almost forgot how I enjoyed creating wallets right from choosing the color combo to finishing the binding by hand. If you asked me, why the binding? for me because I have a weak wrist and turning wallets or bag really painful process for me :D. Also, I love the look of the wallet with binding. It gives the one of kind handmade look! 

This is another one I completed and sold. This Wonderland from Rifle Paper co is really popular with my customers and I think I am going to keep one for my self before I run out of fabrics:). Well, getting fabrics from abroad is not an easy affair right now, especially in India. 

Wonderland Handmade Travel Wallet

I also made a zip around one. I really love the previous one that I made and when I see this navy print, I thought why not make another one. 

Navy Theme Wallet

Super easy project and satisfying result. 

Pattern: Small Travel Wallet

Product: Handmade Travel Wallet

Zip Around Tutorial

Thank you for stopping by!

Stay Safe!

- Elvira -

Minimalist Wallets

It's almost end of April. So many things going on in the last 3 weeks or so. For one, my younger son was hospitalized for typhoid. In the beginning the doctor suspected to be dengue, but Alhamdulillah it was ruled out the next day after the second blood test. And then the LS General election which happened on 18th and 23rd. Of course I don't have a voting rights but still the excitement caught on. I mostly followed the news on twitter. I also followed the Indonesian Election news which was quite "entertaining". I don't usually follow political news, but then nowadays being ignorant is no longer cool, right?! Anyway, I hope you're all made a smart choice and who ever win will fight for the people! 

Floral Handloom Wallet

On creative side, in between completing custom orders, I made a few wallets for the shop. I really this simple slim wallet. I don't carry a lot of cards besides debit card, credit card and ID Card. Most of the shops I frequented usually have the membership record by phone number, so we don't necessarily have to present the cards. I love this system! 

In the above wallet, I combined linen and handloom fabric because it matched nicely! Handloom is one fabric I always love and frequently buy. I love handloom tunics/dress too.

Ellie Bifold Wallet

Next one, I made this super cute ellie wallet! As usual I tidy up my stash from time to time whenever I feel uninspired and I found this print. I thought of combine it with green one but I love the grey star fabric too. 

Maybe next time I can make it with a green combo? What do you think? 

And then I saw this cute snoopy fabric in my stash and of course I had to make another wallet! 

Snoopy Wallet

Now all the wallets are listed in my Etsy shop and they are all Ready to Ship. And all handmades are Free Worldwide Shipping. 

Wallet stats:

Dimension: 4.5" W x 8" H 

6 card slots

2 slip pockets

1 zipper pocket

Fully interfaced and padded

Hand sewn binding for perfect finish

Close with Snap Button

Shop Link : 

ETSY

WEBSHOP

Thank you for stopping by. I'd better go and finish a couple more of family passport wallet orders now and I hope you already checked the recent tutorial about installing all around zipper on a wallet! 

Until then,

Happy Sewing

Elvira