Here are two wallets I made using the Double Zip Wallet pattern from my book. I think this is such a fun and satisfying project. I love useful things and of course a wallet gets a lot of use! And what a perfect way to use my favorite fabrics. I think I could easily find myself making a bunch for friends for Christmas or just for fun actually. Sorry to sound all gushy. I guess lately I’ve been really grateful to have small projects to work on that are easy to finish. Summer is awesome, but stealing time away to sew doesn’t sound like so much fun when the pool and bicycles and ice cream shop are calling! Know what I mean?

I had picked out a few of my favorite Leah Duncan prints to use for these and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I love these fabrics so much!! I think they lend themselves so well to accessories (and everything else – who am I kidding?!). I love that there are two zippered compartments for coins and other important documents (including my iPhone 6), the interior pockets have places for cards and even a check book.

Hope you’re enjoying summer! School is just around the corner for my girls and we’re excited about things starting, I may have even convinced them to join swim team this fall, yayyyyy!

Pattern: Double Zip Wallet from Handmade Style
Fabrics: Gramercy by Leah Duncan for Art Gallery Fabrics
Zippers: 7″ zippers available in my shop
leather pulls, too

Please note that we’re in the process of restocking my book, Handmade Style. There are a limited quantity available on the Lucky Spool website, with free US shipping. The remainder of the books will be available at the end of September, which isn’t too far away. Also, watch in my shop for listings of signed copies coming soon.

These two Zip Top Totes were the first bags I made using my fabric, Rain Walk. I knew way before I even got my fabric that I would be making two of these totes. They simply had to be together! Rain Walk includes 6 canvas prints which makes me sooo happy! I recommend using canvas for almost all bag patterns, it’s my opinion, but I feel that it’s so much more durable than quilting cotton. Of course there are always exceptions. I’m just happy to be able to offer a few canvas prints that I hope you’ll love.

The Zip Top Tote is a pattern from my book. It features leather handles, a zippered top to keep all your belongings secure, a zippered interior pocket and 2 hidden exterior pockets. This tote is actually one of the first projects I made when designing for my book. It felt like the perfect starting point – a bag!

I’m excited to use one of these bags for myself, it’s always hard for me to ‘claim’ bags for me. Most of the time I wait quite a while to make sure I wouldn’t rather give it to a friend or family member. Obviously, I can make myself something when I feel the need, so it’s usually easier for me to give it as a gift or save it as a sample.

Pattern: Zip Top Tote (from my book Handmade Style)
Fabrics: Rain Walk in Ripple (green and gray),
linings are Rain Walk in Sprinkle (green) and Drift (blue)
Zippers: Coats & Clark
Leather Handles: in my shop

I think I’ll go ahead and admit that this bench project (Patchwork Bench from my book Handmade Style) is one of the most favorite things I’ve made. It’s a project that gives me so much satisfaction in seeing the finished product. Knowing that I made it with my own two hands from the ground up gives me a huge sense of accomplishment every time I see it.

This is the Patchwork Bench project from my book. I hope I see a few finished ones popping up around soon! I’d love to see your take on it. Please don’t be intimidated by this project. I promise you’ll love making it. Most home improvement stores can cut the plywood needed for this project to the correct size right in the store. After that a bit of elbow grease and a drill will take you far.

Below are some links to the exact materials I used.

Foam: Air-Lite Regular Density Polyurethane
Batting: Soft N Crafty
Legs: McCobb Mid Century Modern Foot 8″
Straight leg plate: Waddell Table Leg Straight Top Plate
Adhesive: Elmer’s Multipurpose Spray Adhesive

Pattern: Patchwork Bench project from my book Handmade Style
Fabrics: Rain Walk for Cloud9 Fabrics, reverse side of denim from my local Hancock Fabrics