Sewing For Pleasure

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

I don’t know about you but I find it increasingly hard to make time to do some sewing for me, some ‘selfish sewing’. What with the kids, family life, school, kindergarten, friends, running the house, daily chores, work etc etc etc., most of the time it feels almost impossible to consciously decide to sit down and make time to sew something I wanted to, just well, just because.

Well, this week I have done just that. Oh the horror! Just imagine! LOL! πŸ™‚ I decided I needed a new tote bag to take on my travels down to Brisbane later this week for my classes at Voodoo Rabbit Fabric, and once that was finished I felt a strong urge to make a coordinating Cleo Everyday Wallet as well. And so I did.

Not familiar with the Cleo Everyday Wallet? Not to worry! You can find the pattern here.

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

I’ve recently, finally, tried out cork fabric for the first time and have it say, it’s surprisingly easy to sew!!! Add in the gorgeous texture it provides and the variety of colours and I think I may have found a new addiction just quietly… πŸ™‚

For fabric I chose my favourite print from theΒ Avantgarde collection by Katarina Roccella called Neo-Fllies Profound, and complimented it with the gorgeous Turquoise print from the Grow collection from Sun Print 2016 by Alison Glass.

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

*sigh*…

I also had some spare upholstery thread lying around in just the right shade of blue so gave that a whirl in some of the more prominent areas of the wallet. I think it worked out pretty well!

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

For this Cleo I decided I also wanted a little D-ring attached somewhere to hook my car keys onto as there are times when it’s just me popping out, child-free, and to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of keeping things in my pockets for some reason…?

I ended up with this – a small piece of cork holding onto a tiny 1/2″ (1.3cm) D-ring, sewn into the outer seam and jazzed up with a 9mm rivet from Betty Box Pleat. Is the rivet necessary? No not at all. I just wanted to add one for a little bit of ‘bling’ haha.

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

With all that being said, here’s some pics of my finished Cleo –

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

Click here to view the Cleo Everyday Wallet pattern.

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

Cleo Everyday Wallet - Andrie Designs

You can find the Cleo Everyday Wallet pattern here.

Interestingly, now that it’s all finished, I absolutely LOVE my fabric choices for the inside of the wallet but I’m not really sold on the outer front! It feels a little dull to me… Like it’s missing something…? I know I’m used to brighter, lighter colours which probably isn’t helping things here…

Nevertheless, this is just one of those times when things don’t quite turn out how they did in your head! Surely you know what I mean…?

What do you think of the outer front panel? If I was to make another Cleo using these fabrics, what would you suggest to lighten and brighten it?

Right, I’m off to scour my fabric collection! Lisa x

10 thoughts on “Sewing For Pleasure

  1. Lesley says:

    I think it looks good, but I get what you are saying, for the front centre piece where you have the little butterflies, can you put a larger butterfly? Piece the front up with some of the range perhaps? An embroidery to fit in there. I love the colours, they are very me, but just a bit of pizzaz maybe would lift it a tad.

    Have fun in Brisbane, its pretty warm down here, much warmer I think than your way lately.

    • Lisa says:

      ‘A bit of pizzaz’ – yes! Love that and yes it totally needs something… If I had an embroidery machine it would be awesome to do a teal/aqua butterfly on the flap…

  2. Gracia Borchard says:

    Yikes, Lisa! Your sewing is so NEAT! I really need to brush up on my topstitching skills! ??? I love the Cleo pattern. Although I am sometimes only able to sew for 15 mins a week, I am persevering with Cleo. It’s going to look awesome when it’s done. ???

  3. Madge Mason says:

    Well, I think with the natural cork, the blue/teal looks right at home. I think it’s a Beautiful Cleo. I printed Cleo the other day, and she’s on my next list of 8. (I made a list of 8 things to make, some bags, some quilts, some other little “this & that’s”. Then I mark one off and add another to take it’s place. I did it for the first time last year, and am Happy to report that I did finish all but 2 projects in my 2016 list. (Go me) LOL. Love the “sneak peak” of the new tote pattern Lisa. Happy Sewing! ( I get to sew tomorrow) Woo Hoo!

    • Lisa says:

      Thank you Madge!! And congratulations on your achievements last year! That’s such great news! I’m looking forward to seeing your Cleo when it’s her turn under your needle. πŸ™‚ Happy sewing!

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