Cleo Everyday Wallet – Bar Top Closure Hack

Hey Bag Makers! Today we have a new pattern hack for the Cleo Everyday Wallet. This wallet can hold so much so I love finding all kinds of ways to change up the closure on the top! This hack uses the bar top closures to give it a classy clutch look. So grab your pattern and let’s get to this hack!

• Cleo Everyday Wallet Pattern
• The Exterior of your wallet completed (you won’t need your flap!)
• The Interior of your wallet completed
• A Bar Top Wallet Closure. See our list of bag hardware suppliers here: Bag Making Hardware and Supplies List
• Tiny screwdriver
• Strong Glue – something strong that can adhere to the fabric and metal like E600 or similar.

For this hardware to fit onto your wallet, we need to get a little creative with our seam allowance. The closure that I am using has closed ends. If you are using one with open ends, the same steps will work, just know that your edges will show!

With the foam side up of the exterior, find the centre of the top and bottom of the wallet.

Draw on the 1/2” (1.3cm) seam allowance all the way around.

Along the top seam allowance, trace the bar closure.

For the ends of the bar, draw the end at the inner edge of the bar. We want the wallet to fit INSIDE the frame!

Now mark the bottom edge of the frame.

You should have a seam allowance that looks like this:

Now we have to connect that rectangle to our seam allowance. Draw from the bottom edge of the bar line and connect it to the 1/2” (1.3cm) seam allowance. This does not have to be perfect. If we just leave it as is, you will have a funny edge below your frame after sewing! Repeat at the bottom for the other side of the cloure.

You should have a shape like this:

Bonus tip: make sure you are sewing directly on your line or on the outer edge of it. You’ll have a more snug fit this way.

Add your completed interior to the exterior following Assembling Your Wallet Step 26 in the pattern.

Stitch all the way around on the lines that have been drawn on the foam.

Before we trim anything, double-check that the sides of your stitching have not caught the wings. Fix any bunching or folds now, it will save you frustrations later!

Clip the seam allowance on the two long sides. I like to use pinking shears for this.

Trim the top seam allowance to 1/4” (0.6cm) and clip the outer and inner corners of the rectangle edges.

Trim as much foam out of the rectangle seam allowance as possible. The more you can remove the better the fit you will have, just be mindful of your stitching!

Turn your wallet through the pocket as per Assembling Your Wallet in the pattern. Push out those top and bottom corners really well and press.

Top stitch all the way around your wallet using a 1/8″ (0.3cm) seam allowance.

Stich your center panel as per Step 27 in the pattern and sew up those wings following Step 28 in the pattern!

Hot tip: Don’t like fussing with the wings? Skip them altogether for a bifold wallet look!

The “flip” side of our closure will be placed at the back of our wallet. (The side with the zipper pocket) Add a little bit of glue inside the frame and slide it onto your fabric. Do use enough glue to make sure the fabric catches. Don’t use so much glue that it oozes out!

Attach your screws in place. Make sure they are flush against the frame. Don’t over screw them or they will go all the way through the hole!

For the other side, slide on the frame, ensuring it is centred and trace the hole in the middle.

Cut out a notch for this hole. It doesn’t need to be perfect but you do need to be mindful of how deep it goes.

Add some fray check or fabric glue to those rough-cut edges so they do not fray over time.

Add a little bit of glue inside the frame and slide it onto your fabric. For this side, we want to make sure the screws face the inside of the wallet!

Attach your screws in place. Make sure they are flush against the frame again and remember, don’t over screw them or they will go all the way through the hole!

Now step back and admire your classy little Cleo Everyday Wallet!

These fancy little frames give it a whole new look!