Today on the blog we have another amazing pattern hack for my newly released Cleo Everyday Wallet pattern! This hack is by the talented Leslie from Love Rubie and is all about adding a turn lock to your Cleo (instead of a magnetic snap) – something I’m sure many of you will want to try!
Not familiar with the Cleo Everyday Wallet? Not a problem! You can find the pattern here.
Adding a turn lock to any bag/wallet is not as scary as it seems (it really isn’t!) so read on to see exactly how to add one to your next Cleo!
Everyone has their own way of installing a twist lock (turn lock) or any type of similar closure. The method I’ll be demonstrating is the way I’ve come to do it over the years as sometimes, going by pattern placement measurements doesn’t always suit me. In this case, you can customise how well your flap folds over your wallet by adjusting the gap between the front and back of the wallet once closed.
To achieve this you’ll need your completed Cleo Everyday Wallet, keeping in mind to leave your turning gap open until your lock is installed.
You will need:
- Cleo Everyday Wallet
- Turn lock/twist lock (one in the same)
- Fray Check
- Seam Ripper
- Scissors
- Fabric Marking Pen/Tailors Chalk
Just a little information about the anatomy of a twist lock before I start. With some hardware like snaps, magnetic snaps, grommets, twist locks, etc. there is a male half and a female half. The male half has the stem or in this case the twist part of the lock, and the back half is a plate with two slits (also known as a washer). The female half, front and back, has a hole that the male half will fit through.
1. Take the back side of the female half of the twist lock and centre it on the right side of your flap. I placed mine centred about a 1/2″ (1.3cm) up from the curved edged of the flap. Use your fabric marking pen or tailors chalk and trace the centre hole of the lock.
2. Use your seam ripper to cut a + inside the oval. Now use your scissors to cut out the oval, making sure to not cut your hole too big.
Double check your opening by inserting the front side of the female half of the twist lock in the hole. You may need to trim the opening a little more. Try trimming from the back side of the opening. Keep in mind that you want a snug fit.
3. Add a generous amount of Fray Check to the front, back and inside of the opening.
4. Now take the front side of the female half of the twist lock and insert it in the opening on the right side of the flap. Put the back side of the female half of the twist lock on the back side of the flap. With the right side of the lock face down, press the two lock halves together while folding the prongs over to secure the lock in place.
If your lock has screws, set the screws. You may want to add a small dab of glue in the screw hole to help lock the screws in place.
5. If you have any fabric or little threads sticking out between the two lock halves you can use the pointy end of your seam ripper to poke them back inside.
6. Now that the female half of the twist lock is set you can install the male half of the lock. You’ll want to start by closing the wallet and folding the flap over. Once you have your flap centred and have the desired placement point lift up the edge of your flap, while keeping the female half flat to the wallet, and use a straight pin to mark where the bottom and sides of the lock touch the wallet.
7. Take the washer for the male half of the lock and centre it between the pins. Use your marking pen or chalk to mark inside the slits.
8. Use your seam ripper to cut the exact length of each mark. Make sure to slip your hand inside the wallet through your turning hole so that you’re only cutting through the outer fabric and stabiliser. Do not cut the slit any longer than your marks. Add a generous amount of fray check around each slit.
9. Take the twist part of the lock and push the prongs through the slits. Slip your hand inside the wallet with the washer and put the prongs through the slits on the plate. Fold the prongs IN to secure the male half of the twist lock. Now you can sew up your turning gap and you are done!
Thank you Leslie for sharing your wonderful Cleo hack with us! I know I’ll be trying a turn lock on one of my next ones for sure!
You can see more of Leslie’s amazing bags via her Facebook page here – www.facebook.com/loverubiehandmadebags
Click here to find out more about the Cleo Everday Wallet pattern.
Until next time, happy hacking!
Lisa x
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