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The Essential Wristlet

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Erin Erickson | 30 Comments

**UPDATE** Make sure you check out the new bonus features included in the pattern! 

A few of you discovered I uploaded the pattern last night… :D

I’m really excited about it! You’ll find all the photos, description and materials list on the pattern page, but I’ll give you my highlights.

Wristlets!

Perfect corners: As usual with my patterns, this is very much technique focused (as opposed to design – I’ll let you add the ruffles and patchwork!) I’ve done all the math and trial and error for you and given you 16 pages of step by step photos so you can achieve that perfect corner. Get your zippers out of the side seams for that wide-open result. Don’t make another dented corner zippered pouch!

Wristlets! Wristlets!

Zippers: You’ll need at least 9″ zippers for this, but you can buy them longer so you can use them for purses too. I tend to buy 14″ zips. I highly recommend the YKK zips from Zipit. It’s worth waiting the extra couple of days to not struggle with a Coats & Clark zip from the big box store.

Wristlets!

Make lots of them: Once you make one of these and get the hang of it, the easy rectangle shape sews up really quickly. No darts or boxed corners to deal with and the construction is really straight forward. You can reasonably make one of these for everyone on your list and really impress them!

Mine! Boxed corner wristlet

Customize: I made one with boxed corners and a pleated ruffle and one with a back zippered coin pouch. Once you learn how to install the zipper you can go crazy making modifications until it’s perfectly your style. These are NOT part of the pattern, but if there is a huge interest in that back zippered pocket or the boxed corner style, let me know. Neither were exceptionally difficult modifications and I’d be happy to show you.

Wristlets! Wristlets! Wristlets!

Size & Pockets: The wristlet has two size options and two pocket options. I use the small wristlet with the card pocket as my everyday wallet. It’s perfect for running into the store without my big purse or tote bag. My phone still fits in the main pouch, my debit card stays easy to find and it still fits my chapstick and keys. :) The larger size is perfect for date night or when you need to carry a little bit more, or like me when I went out of town and needed to keep my passport on me at all times.

Interfacing: If you’ve ever made any of my patterns, you know I back everything in Pellon SF-101 woven fusible. But also, for this project, I used Pellon 926 as the sew-in interfacing for all of my samples except the blue one with the 2nd zipper, which has Pellon 50. I really love it. It turns easily and the wrinkles press out well. It’s in between Peltex 70 and Pellon 50, and it sews through like a dream and cuts away from the seams really easily and cleanly. I don’t know how easy it is to find 926 (My JoAnn has it.) but if you can’t find it, Pellon 50 works just fine. If you want a similar thick, sturdy feel you can use two layers. One layer will still hold the shape nicely, it just won’t have that substantial-yet-pliable feel. It’s really personal preference. You could even use batting like I did on this one.

More wristlets
Materials: If you don’t mind that your lining and main fabric match, you can totally make one of these from a well-cut fat quarter. Or buy two matching FQ’s and mix them up and make two. Either way, $3 worth of fabric, 50 cents for a zipper, $5 for interfacing (half that if you can use coupons), $1 for hardware… (yes, you need to buy in bulk online but you could totally thrift or recycle hardware from an old bag if you only want to make one!) It’s an inexpensive and quick project that I think you’ll LOVE. I sure hope you do. I made this one from the scraps from a baby quilt. My friend saw the quilt and squealed “OWLS!” and I had just enough left for a small wristlet. Perfect, right? (Fabric from Fat Quarter Shop)

That’s it! Any questions? Coming up…. those curvy cross body bags, any wristlet modification tutorials you demand, the no-raw edge pouch, possibly some additional helpful-hints-for-bagmaking posts… and I have LOTS of craziness coming up so I’ve been trying to cross anything I can off the list, which ends up being random stuff like sewing knit skirts and making my fancy shoes pretty while waiting for pattern testers. I’ll hopefully get the raw-edge pouch tutorial up before I go to Canada next weekend (SO EXCITED about that!)

A big THANK YOU to all my pattern testers, readers and all of my friends. You’re all the best. Happy Sewing!

Categories : PDF Patterns, Wristlet
Comments (30)

Comments

  1. Megan says:
    October 4, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    OWLS!! You have a lucky friend, because that wristlet is fabulous ;)

    It is clear how much work you put into this pattern; I cannot wait to sew it!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 7, 2012 at 3:06 PM

      Yes she is very lucky. :P

      Reply
  2. Barbara F. says:
    October 4, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    I bought the pattern last night :-). The directions and pictures are great! I may practice the strap on some scrap material while I’m waiting for supplies I ordered. If I make the outside from home decor fabric and the inside from a quilting cotton weight fabric, I use the SF 101 on the main (home dec) fabric only and use the pellon 50 (1 layer) in step 8 (h,i)? Is that it? what about the pocket – do I need any interfacing there?

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 4, 2012 at 7:37 PM

      Awesome! Thanks! I’m trying to remember what I did on the Outside Oslo one. I think I skipped interfacing on the pocket, but added it to the Kona cotton lining. You could do either. I think it will be OK. :)

      Reply
  3. Tree says:
    October 4, 2012 at 5:32 PM

    I can’t wait to get started!!

    Reply
  4. Leslie Sorenson says:
    October 5, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    I bought one of your sample wristlets and I use it all the time. I have been waiting anxiously for the pattern. I’m going to make these for everyone I know.

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 6, 2012 at 12:23 AM

      You have lucky friends!

      Reply
  5. Bea says:
    October 5, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    I just bought the pattern and love it! I have everything I need BUT the D-rings :( I can’t wait to try this pattern…
    I have other patterns in which I’ll use this great tuto… you really explain everything very clearly, Erin.
    The other day I ripped apart an old pouch and it was made this way but I couldn’t figure out some of the steps!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 6, 2012 at 12:24 AM

      Thank you Bea! Can’t you just steal one off of an old bag? The sacrifice is worth it! lol :D

      Reply
  6. Crescendo Gal on fb says:
    October 6, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    I would really like to see the zipper and boxed corners included with this pattern please! I can do them…but would LOVE to give you complete pattern credit when listing them. ;0) There is plenty of crafty love in this big world for all of us, so if a pattern is available I will purchase and use it rather than ‘knocking off’ something! GREAT WORK…your two zip hipster is my FAVORITE!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 7, 2012 at 2:03 AM

      I’ll work on it! It’s just going to be quick, if you know what you’re doing you just need the pattern piece and basic instructions. I’ll get it done! :)

      Reply
      • Bea says:
        October 7, 2012 at 2:13 PM

        Thanks Erin! I forgot to ask for the bonus you offered :)

        Reply
        • Erin Erickson says:
          October 7, 2012 at 3:06 PM

          Yep I will definitely get it done. Seems to be a lot of interest. I stayed up all night writing the no-raw-edge pouch tutorial. You know, like normal people do. :D

          Reply
  7. Heide says:
    October 9, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    I love the pattern and will buy it when I get home tonight. Forgive me if you’ve answered before (I did use the search), what sewing machine(s) do you use?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 9, 2012 at 12:19 PM

      Thanks! :) I have a Bernina activa 230. It’s 3 years old and Bernina just updated the line with the pretty new silver Bernina 350. :) It’s a pretty good workhorse machine!

      Reply
      • Heide says:
        October 9, 2012 at 2:43 PM

        Thanks! I am shopping. My current very low end machine is pretty much a paper weight after a six layer project last night ;)

        Reply
  8. Rachel @ Once Upon a Sewing Machine says:
    October 9, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    This is the nicest wristlet pattern I’ve seen. That zipper/corner is beautiful!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 9, 2012 at 12:20 PM

      Thank you!! That really means a lot. I can’t even tell you how much time I spent on it. Thank you thank you!

      Reply
  9. Neat 'n' Tidy Zippered Pouches - Dog Under My Desk says:
    October 9, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    […] up if it makes no sense… :) Also this is kind of a thank you for the amazing response to the new wristlet pattern. You all are […]

    Reply
  10. Tree says:
    October 12, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    I finally made my wristlet tonight. The instructions are fantastic, and it came together quite nicely. I’m inspired to make a few million more. Thanks so much for putting together the tutorial!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      October 14, 2012 at 7:31 AM

      Thank you! Did you post photos yet? Let me know when you do, I’ve only seen a handful so far and I can’t wait to see them all!!! :D

      Reply
  11. Aimee says:
    October 17, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    I really love your patterns! I just started sewing earlier this year and your patterns are perfect for me. I just finished my wristlet this evening – i think i know what my girlfriends are getting for christmas :) I would love to see detailed instructions on how to do the box corners. Thank You!!!

    Reply
  12. carynbc says:
    January 10, 2014 at 10:34 PM

    Such a detailed pattern – thank you! I bought it so I could make the wonderful police box variation for a friend. My wristlet had a twist – but isn’t a Mobius strap sort of right for the Tardis? It all went wonky but I am ready to try again. My daughter and I both love your tutorials. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      January 12, 2014 at 1:47 AM

      Thanks! I know the strap can be tricky, but it’s SO worth it when you don’t have to sew through four layers of strap and still see bits of raw edge. I’d give it another try. I’m sure you will get it!

      Reply
  13. A Turner says:
    July 23, 2015 at 4:59 AM

    Could you please tell me if there are any raw edges inside this pouch? I’m looking for a pattern for a pouch with perfect corners but I also don’t want any raw (or bias strip covered) edges inside it? Thanks

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      July 23, 2015 at 5:09 AM

      It’s completely finished! No raw edges. Turned through an opening in the lining. :)

      Reply
  14. cindy stouten says:
    August 15, 2016 at 9:59 AM

    Hi! LOVE your patterns and I am going to purchase the wristlet pattern but have been looking for something with the double zip so I would be interested in seeing the addition and would have absolutely no problems in purchasing the add ons as I can only imagine how much time is spent creating such clear instructions like the ones you create!

    Reply
    • Erin Erickson says:
      August 15, 2016 at 5:20 PM

      Hi! Thank you! Actually this post is really old, I added the bonus features a few weeks later to the pattern so you will have them included. :)

      Reply
      • cindy stouten says:
        August 16, 2016 at 7:44 AM

        Of course, I purchased after I wrote this comment and noticed that it was included. I said to myself that I should have read the pattern more carefully before writing but I always seem to do stuff like that. Looking forward to working on the wristlets and hopefully I can get the double zipper portion done right :-) I really do love your patterns though. They are perfect for me since Im more of a visual learner. When there is nothing but text, everything seems to blend together.

        Reply
  15. Neat 'n' Tidy Zippered Pouches - Dog Under My Desk says:
    November 1, 2020 at 11:51 PM

    […] up if it makes no sense… :) Also this is kind of a thank you for the amazing response to the new wristlet pattern. You all are […]

    Reply

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