May 7, 2012

Fun With Oil Cloth

I made this groovy wallet!  It's made with two pieces of oilcloth and a long hair elastic.  I rarely use cash anymore, so a few cards are all I need: ATM, ID, credit card, gym ID card, etc. Sewing with oil cloth is highly addictive.  It's the bright colors and the instant gratification that makes it fun.


I made six card slots by turning under the tops and top stitching. I used a jeans needle and engaged my machine's walking foot.
Then, starting with the top slot, I sewed the bottom so that my card would fit with just enough sticking out the top.  (These slots are 2.5 by 3 inches.) After I sewed three, I stitched all around the set and then did the other side the same way.  I used a piece of painter's tape to hold them in place.
I then attached the front yellow piece by sewing two lines down the middle between the slots.  Finally, I cut 1" wide strips for binding and just slapped them on there with a zig-zag stitch.

This doesn't have any interfacing, so it's just a tad soft at the corners.  I did make one with sew-in stiff interfacing, but I like this one much better.

When I find some more nice red elastic, I'm going to make another with a slot for bills.