If you missed the previous days, they can be found here: Day 1, Day 2,Day 3 and Day 4. Today, Lisa explains how to add an optional wrist strap and/or cross body strap.

I showed you how I add the anchors in day 2. There are lots of different ways to do this so experiment with what option you like best.
For the wrist strap and cross body strap you’ll need: 2” x 9” piece of fabric (1), 2” x 42” piece of fabric (1), 3 ½” or 5/8” swivel hooks.
I usually cut the long strap the width of my fabric and just clip off the selvages. This makes it about 42”.  If you prefer a shorter strap – cut it to whatever length you like best.
For each of the strap you’ll need to press them in half the long way. Then unfold and press each side in so it meets the centre crease line.  Then fold both halves together so your raw edges are hidden inside.  The finished strap will be about ½” wide.  For the long strap you also need to turn each end in by a ¼”. You can leave the shorter wrist strap ends raw as we’ll finish this in the next step.

Wrist strap: I use Emmaline’s ingenious tutorial (scroll down to step 2) for this step.  Take your folded wrist strap and thread your swivel hook onto it.  Now open out each end of the strap and pin them pretty side to pretty side.  Make sure that your strap is not twisted.  Your hook will still be on the strap.  Sew the ends together using a ¼” seam and finger press the seam open. Refold along you existing press lines.

Time to top stitch!  Again, if you have a top stitching foot it comes in really handy here.  If not, sew close to the edge of each side of the strap, sliding the hook along as you sew. When you’ve finished top stitching, Move your hook to the end where your seam line is (where the two ends were joined) and stitch through the seam line to secure your hook. Go back and forth across the strap a couple of times to really secure this.

Crossbody strap: Take your long, double folded piece and top stitch along both sides as you did with the wrist straps.  The ends have already been folded under ¼ inch so this will provide you with finished ends for this piece.  Be careful when you get to the end, the folded pieces stay under as they like to poke out sometimes.
Once you’ve top stitched both sides you’ll add a swivel hook to each end. Slide the hook onto the 
strap, fold over about 1 inch and stitch across the strap close to the bar of the swivel hook. Sew across the strap a couple of times to secure.  Repeat on the other end but make sure that you’re folding your strap under in the same direction on both sides.

And you’re done!  Attach your straps to your anchors and you can easily swing your wallet on your wrist or carry it on your shoulder like a purse.

Thanks so much Lisa for guiding us along! Her NCW turned out beautifully! Now I’d like to see everyone else’s! You have until June 30 to submit your entries for the prize of a $20 shop credit from Emmaline Bags – Thanks Emmaline Bags! Choose any of these ways to enter: 

• 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 here on the DAY 5 blog post (that’s this one)

I’d also love to share them here, so let me know if it’s ok to do that.