Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Kraft-tex Phone Wallet May project of the month

An essentials only wallet/purse for your phone, license, credit cards, coupons and cash. 




All In One Kraft-tex Phone Wallet


Given today’s health crisis situation we all have become much more aware of our surroundings and
personal routines and habits. We must be vigilant and mindful of how we interact in the world today.
One of my biggest concerns are the things that I carry with me into public places and how to keep
them germ free. I’ve always been a purse carrier but don’t want to run the risk of bringing home
germs when I place it in my shopping cart. Only essentials go with me these days and I’m able to
carry them safely in my new Kraft-tex Phone Wallet. Kraft-tex is the perfect choice for this project
because it's sturdy and is easily wiped with a sanitizer towelette and can be laundered. 


What you will need:


Depending on the make, model and size of your phone you may need to make adjustments.
I have noted my brand and the formula that I used to cut the pieces needed. If you are hesitant to
dive right in you might want to make a sample using simple card stock paper to make sure your
calculations are correct. 


I have a Samsung Note 8 that measures 3” wide x  6 ½” long x ⅓” thick. Here is the formula that I
used to cut the pieces I needed. 


Width of phone = 3” plus 5 ½” = 8 ½” cut width
Length of phone = 6 ½”  plus 1 ¼” = 7 ¾” cut length


Based on my phone size here’s my Kraft-tex cutting measurements:


Outside panel Cut 1 (in Emerald Green color) 7 ¾” x 8 ½”
Inside panels Cut 2 (in Greenery color) 3 ⅞” x 7 ¾” (one for phone and credit card panel and other
for cash/coupons)
Credit Card panel Cut 1 (in Emerald Green) 2 ¾’ x 7 ¾” (this will be attached to phone panel) 
Closure tab of Kraft-tex  3”x6” and decorative color to go on top 1 1/2 “x 3”,  both cut in triangles



Other Supplies that I used: 
Coordinating good quality sewing thread, clips to hold Kraft-tex while sewing, fabric to make a strap
and strap tabs (1 ½” strip x 70”) or you can use pre-made bias tape, 2 - 1” book rings, 1 ½” of
coordinating Velcro for closure. Note: I used a corner rounder called a “Chomper” by Memory Keepers
to round the corners of my wallet but it can be carefully done by hand or just  leave corners square. 


Certainly there are many options for making a closure. Feel free to change this pattern to suit your own
style. I made a strap so that I can carry my wallet cross-body so the only thing it comes in contact with
is my clothing. 


Instructions
 Also see step-out photos of the construction process.


Strap and strap tabs:
If you have decided to make a strap for your wallet it’s best to get this process out to the way first.
I used a 1 ½” x 70” (this does NOT need to be cut on the bias) to make mine. To construct: Fold the
fabric wrong sides together and iron in half. This will determine the center. Open it up then fold the
outer edges in so they meet at the center iron line. Fold again to enclose the raw edges inside and
stitch close to the edge to completely enclose. Check out a Youtube video if you are unsure of how
to fold and stitch bias tape. You can also purchase ready made bias tape if you prefer.


Wallet tab closure and embellishment: These must be done before any construction takes place.
Measure carefully then stitch the Velcro (hook side) to the backside of the larger tab closure piece.
Place the smaller piece on the top to cover the first stitching and top stitch it in place. Set aside.
Now for the loop/fuzzy side of the Velcro. Clip the closure to the top of your wallet so you can
determine placement of the opposing side. Measure carefully and decide where you want the
placement of the on the front of your wallet leaving enough rooms for your phone and goodies
inside the wallet. Stitch this in place!










Credit card holder and phone panel: Next you will complete and attach the credit card holder to
the phone panel. Find the center of your credit card holder 7 ¾” piece by bringing the two ends
together and pinching at the center. Make a light pencil mark at the center. Measure 1 ¼” and
mark with a light pencil mark draw a straight line on either side of the center mark. Now clip this
piece to the bottom of the larger phone panel piece and stitch on the 1 1/4” pencil line on either
side of the center so you now have 3 slots to hold credit cards. Be sure to back stitch top and
bottom to secure. Erase pencil marks. Clip this panel to the inside, right (bottom) of your wallet.








Attaching cash/coupon panel: Clip the 3 ⅞” x 7 ¾” phone panel to the inside left (top) of your wallet.
You must coordinate the other pieces, closure tab and strap loops that will be sandwiched in the seam
of this section. I use heavy duty clips so that things don’t shift. Determine both  the center of the wallet
top and the closure tab and clip the closure tab in place (velcro facing up). Cut two, 1 ¾” pieces of your
premade strap to use for your strap loops. Fold in half and clip the raw ends down, into where the
seam will be on both ends. Now CAREFULLY place the cash/coupon panel on top sandwiching pieces
and adjusting each clip as you go, as to not shift pieces. 





Stitching all pieces together: Slowly and carefully top stitch around the entire outside edge of the
wallet. (I used a top stitching foot with a flange that made it easy.) BACK STITCH AT EACH STRESS
POINT AND WHERE PIECES ARE SANDWICHED IN. 


Finish strap ends and add rings: Determine how long you want your strap. Finish off the raw end by either zigzag stitches or turning the raw edge inside and restitching the end. Fold and create a loop and stitch in place. Remeasure the length you desire and cut strap to length being sure to leave enough room to create a loop, finish as before. Link strap and wallets loops with rings and close. You're done!





Kraft-tex is available from CTpub.com or your local retailer. Once you try this supple, 
washable vegan leather it's sure to be a staple in your studio.


Tuesday, April 21, 2020

'Keep It Clean' Car Trash Container


‘Keep It Clean’ Car Trash Container

It’s been said that, “Necessity is the mother of invention” and being a quilter from the beginning certainly influences my need to create “useful” things. Many new cars have center consoles that house the gear shift and cup holders but no place to put trash and little room anywhere else to facilitate a trash receptacle. Some designers have come up with beautiful patterns however none of them suited my specific need and maybe yours too. Here’s my solution, a Kraft-Tex trash receptacle that hangs off the gear shift and out of the way but within easy reach. Kraft-tex is the perfect material to use because: it’s lightweight, holds its shape and can be washed.. And yes, I am a self defined Kraft-tex junkie and this is just one more way for Kraft-tex to be my “go to” project product. I love the upscale leather look and supple hand of this prewashed product. It lends itself well to this project and there are so many colors to choose from that you are sure to find one to complement your car's upholstery. 


Here’s what you’ll need: 


Prewashed Kraft-tex - Cut sizes and the Kraft-tex colors are in ( )
Bag base - 9”x18” (Linen)
Decorative panel- Bottom  3”x18” (Denim)
Decorative Rectangle-Middle   2”x5” (Chocolate)
Decorative Rectangle -Top 1”x4” (Natural)


Strap base - 1 ¼””x18” (Linen)
Decorative strip for strap ¾”x 18” (Denim)


Top casing 1 ¾”x18” (Natural)


Fabric for lining 9”x18” (I used a blue batik)




Grommets or large eyelets - 2 (large enough to slip a book ring through) and a grommet setter


Metal book ring - 1 (I used the 1” size)


Other - Clips or clothespins to hold the Kraft-Tex together while sewing. Good quality sewing thread
(I use cotton general purpose) matching or contrasting colors. Sewing machine. Also a cutting mat,
rotary cutter and a clear quilters ruler for precise cutting is very helpful. 


Directions:


The decorative panel on the bag is both decorative and gives the bag added support. This needs to
be added first before the bag is constructed. Begin by connecting the two smaller decorative panels
first to the large panel then stitch the large panel to the bag base. 
*Center the smallest 1”x 4” panel on top of the 2”x 5” rectangle clip in place and top stitch together. 
*Add this section to the 3"x18"decorative panel base by measuring down from top of the long rectangle base 1 ½” and center between the sides. Clip in place and top stitch together. 
*Finally, center and clip this finished panel on the 9”x18” bag base and top stitch in place. 




Bag base - Use ½” seam allowance 
*Bring the right sides together and fold the base so it measures 9”x9”. Use clips or clothespins to
hold the Kraft-Tex together to stitch (do not use pins). 
*Stitch the side seams and back stitch to secure at the beginnings and ends. 
*Square the corners of the bag by bringing each corner up to create a point and stitching from
side to side 1 ½” from the point (back stitching at the beginning and end to secure). This will form
the bag bottom. (There are loads of YouTube videos on how to create a tote bag bottom if you
have questions on how to do this.) 
*Turn the bag inside out encouraging the corners out with a chopstick. 




Bag Lining - Use ½” seam allowance
*Make the fabric bag lining the same way you made your bag base except you do not need to turn
it right side out. 
*Place the liner inside the bag so that the right side of the fabric forms the inside of your bag,
now and temporarily clip in place to hold it to the top rim.




Top Casing 
*Fold  the 1 ¾”x18” top casing strip and leave one side a fraction longer on one side. 
*Iron to encourage the Kraft-tex to stay. 
*Keeping the slightly longer side to the inside of the bag clip the strip around the rim of the bag
encasing the bag and lining tops and overlap slightly at the end. Note: Begin and end slightly
away from the center of the bag so that you do not have 4 layers of  Kraft-tex bulk in the center
back as this is where your grommet will be placed. 
*Top stitch the casing in place going slowly.




Strap
*Center the decorative  ¾”x 18” strip on top of the 1 ½”x18” strap base. Hold in place with clips
and top stitch.
*Round the corners on the ends and cross one end over the other. Clip to hold. 
*Make an appropriate size hole through both overlapped straps and install the grommet so that
the nice side of the grommet is facing out. 



Grommet and Ring
*Create an appropriate size hole in the center back for your grommet. Install the grommet so that
the right side is on the inside of the bag back and the crimped part is on the outside.
(Yes this sounds backwards, just trust me on this one.)
*Slide the notebook ring into the grommets on both the strap and bag. 




You're done! Place on the gear shift of your car for disposal of trash. 


Notes: 
*You may wish to place a small plastic bag (the one my newspaper comes in is perfect or a paper
lunch sack) into the receptacle to facilitate easy disposal or you can simply launder the bag when
it’s soiled. As long as your grommets are fastened securely the bag and strap can be laundered
but be sure to remove the ring before washing (I slip my bag into a laundry bag before placing in
washer).

*Use common sense: Care should be taken to not overload the bag with heavy items as the gear shift is not designed to hold heavy objects or be moved once the car is in motion.

Here's the ones that I made for both our cars. There is such a wonderful array of Kraft-Tex colors that the hardest part of this project is picking which combo of colors to use!


You can buy Kraft-tex in a gorgeous array of colors at ctpub.com and find loads of ingenious ideas on ways to use this amazing supple and cruelty free leather. There are two books dedicated to just Kraft-tex projects, Kraft-tex Style and Kraft-tex Creations that you can purchase as well... and YES I am a featured artist in BOTH books. I hope that you will join me on my Kraft-tex journey. 

Monday, December 09, 2019

Kraft-Tex Creations Published by C&T Publishing Dec. 2019 Two of my projects and four pieces of my artwork are in this book!

My advance copies arrived! I have 2 projects and 4 artworks in here. I  L💗VE Ctpub.com This book can be purchased directly from CTPub.com, thru Amazon.com or at your local book store.

Sunday, April 05, 2015

TV Spot about my fiber art!

I had a fantastic time taping a segment on BCTV on March 30th with Jan Doyle. I'll admit that I was nervous at first but Jan is a wonderful interviewer and put me right at ease. She wants me to come back to tape more segments of her show and I'm really looking forward to doing more! The link to see the show on YouTube is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knAkCWpaaI4

Friday, March 20, 2015

Published! Breast Cancer Awareness "Pocket" appears in the April/May 2015 Issue of Quilting Arts



 
I'm pleased that my art was chosen to be in this issue to help raise awareness about breast cancer.
 

 

 

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Published agian!

 
My first published watercolor was chosen to be in this book. The painting is called, "The impossible poker hand". I'm thrilled it was picked to be in the book!

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Ahhh Christmas time, I love it. Today I got out the soldering iron and made some special ornaments. They weren't difficult just time consuming but I do like how they turned out. :-)

Thursday, September 25, 2014

My new Mixed Media class project!

My latest class offering is a combination of two of my published works: Penobscot Bay mixed media painting technique (published and on the cover of Kraft-tex Style by C&T Publishing 2014) and my Magic Wallet (published in Quilting Arts Magazine 2006). Contact me at seasew@yahoo.com if you would like more info on this class.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Doggie Treat Bag is featured in this issue- QA Gifts Special Edition Aug 2014

I'm a dog lover through and through so creating a little pet related project was perfect for this edition according to the editor.

My Penobscot Bay Journal featured and on the cover August 2014

My Penobscot Bay Journal is featured in this book and also appears on the cover! Compiled by Roxane Cerda and http://www.ctpub.com/kraft-tex-style
Published by C&T Publishing August 2014