Are you ready for Day 1 of the Necessary Clutch Wallet Sew-along? I’m going to be following right along with you, and my friend Lisa is sharing her experience making this staple in the PDF pattern world. The Necessary Clutch Wallet, otherwise known as the NCW by its adoring fans, is a stylish wallet that carries your cell phone, cards, cheques, cash and coins, and even has a little room left over. By the end of this week, we’ll all have beautiful finished projects to show off! Plus, there’s a prize! Janelle of Emmaline Sewing Patterns and Purse Supplies has generously offered up a $20 Emmaline Bags store credit to a randomly selected participant who completes the wallet. I’ve tried to make it easy to enter, choose any of these options: 

• Post a picture of your completed NCW on Facebook using #HappyOkapiNCWSAL, make sure the post is public so I can see it; it can be on your business page or personal page

• Post a picture of your completed NCW on Instagram using #HappyOkapiNCWSAL, make sure the post is public so I can see it.
• Email me a picture of your completed NCW
• Post a link of a picture of your completed NCW in the comments of the DAY 5 blog post

You only have to choose one way to enter, and multiple entries will only be counted once. Entries must be submitted by June 30, 2015.

If you haven’t yet purchased this fabulous pattern you can do so at Emmaline Sewing Patterns and Purse Supplies, and make sure to use code CANUCK20 to save 20% on the pattern for this Sew-along, valid until June 30, 2015.
Once you have your pattern in hand it’s time to print it out and select your fabrics!

Materials needed for this project:

•  1 fat quarter for exterior fabric
  
•  1 fat quarter for interior fabric
•  ½ yard for pocket fabric
•  2 yards 20” wide fusible interfacing (medium to lightweight depending on your preferences – see below about interfacing choices)
•   Peltex ultra firm stabilizer (fusible on one side is great)
  
•   Disappearing marking pen for sewing (or chalk) – I use and love Frixion pens
  
•   Rotary cutting mat, rotary cutter and large (24” ruler)
  
•   10” zipper to match pocket fabric
•   Twist lock or magnetic snap
•   Double sided soluble tape (Wondertape or equivalent)
  
•   Coordinating thread

I like to keep a cutting chart for the NCW with all my fabrics and what I’ll need to cut from each.  Because I often use 3-4 fabrics in each wallet, plus interfacing, it’s a great way to keep track of everything.  I check off each item as they are cut so I don’t miss anything.

Once you’ve selected your fabric, it’s time to cut.  If you’ve printed the PDF pattern you can use the paper prints for cutting around. If you’re going to do any fussy cutting, you might also consider tracing Pieces A, B and D onto sew through quilters template material or see through plastic cutting boards you can buy at the dollar store.  This makes it a lot easier to clearly see your design and placement for your wallet.  It can assist you to create that great focal point on the front of your wallet as well. If you think you’ll be making many of these, you might want to order the acrylic templates available for the pattern, making it easier and faster to cut, including any fussy cutting you might want to do. 
Interfacing tends to be a very personal choice for this wallet.  The pattern calls for medium weight interfacing on the flap and body, light weight on the pockets and card slots. My personal preference is for a firmer wallet.  I use Pellon SF101 on all my interfaced pieces and add another piece of peltex in the flap and centre part of the body which you’ll see in day 2.  I have also used Craft-fuse 808 throughout for a firmer wallet. Experiment to find the blend of interfacings you prefer.

Once you have all your fabrics and interfacings cut out.  Stand back, admire your pile and turn on your iron.  We’re going to be fusing all our interfacing next!  Time to get a quick drink before slaving over that hot iron…

When fusing interfacing, start with a pressed fabric piece.  Place the fabric wrong-side up and interfacing glue side down.  Fuse with a hot steam iron.  I then flip my piece over and make sure to get out any wrinkles that may have shown up.

Once you’ve fused all your interfacing you’re done with day one!  Congratulations.  On Day 2 we’ll be working on the flap and body.

Thank you so much Lisa! Looks like I have my work cut out for me, ha! (I’m hilarious, I know). I’d love to see everyone else’s progress along the way! Share with #HappyOkapiNCWSAL. See you back here tomorrow!