DIY Wristlet
Sometimes you wear an outfit that doesn't have pockets, but you don't want to carry a big bag while, say, walking the dog, making a quick run to the store or hitting the club. You can create a small purse that hangs from your wrist and is just big enough to hold a credit card, some cash, keys, license and a lipstick. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 10½-inch by 6½-inch piece of felt
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Button
- Embroidery floss
- Hand-sewing needle
- 12-inch ribbon
Instructions
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1
Measure up the long edge of the felt to divide it into thirds. Use a pencil to lightly draw two lines on the felt. The bottom section is the front, the middle is the back and the top third is the front flap.
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2
Find and mark the middle of the top section or front flap. This is the placement for your button closure. Cut a slit in the flap large enough for the button to fit through but not so big that it won't hold your wristlet securely closed. You will do a button-hold stitch around the edges of the hole later.
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3
Curve the front flap, cutting from one side to the other in an arc.
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4
Fold the bottom third up and fold the top flap down over it. Use a pencil to make a small dot through the slit on the flap onto the bottom section for the placement of the button.
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5
Thread your needle with at least two strands of floss, and stitch the button onto the front of the wristlet where you marked. Use a button-hole stitch to finish the edge of the slit you made for the button hole.
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6
Fold the ribbon in half, and sandwich it between the front and back layers of the wristlet on the right hand side, close to the top edge beneath the flap. Pin in place. Use a running stitch to secure the ribbon or strap to the wristlet.
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7
Sew the open edges of the purse together using a button-hole stitch. Start at the bottom of one side and work your way up and around the flap and back to the bottom of the other side. Though the stitch continues around the top flap, you won't sew it to the rest of the bag--just continue the stitch for decoration.
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8
Place your keys and whatever else you'd like in your wristlet. Slide the button through the slit in the flap to secure. Slip your wrist through the ribbon loop.
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Tips & Warnings
For the novice seamstress with some basic hand-stitching skills, felt is a good beginner fabric. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns and won't unravel when you cut it.
