Wristlet Tutorial

This wristlet is a pattern I came up with on my own…after tons of trial and error!!! Please feel free to use this pattern but I would appreciate credit or a link back to this blog if you wouldn’t mind! The plaid main fabric and pink lining fabric is from So Sew English Fabrics https://sosewenglishfabrics.com/ , and the bubbled metallic vinyl and rose gold hardware is from My Punkbroidery https://mypunkbroidery.com/. Check out both of those shops…they are definitely some of my faves!

Cut list/supplies:

2 pcs-4.5″ x 10″ of your main fabric plus interfacing for both
2 pcs-3″ x 10″ vinyl
2 pcs- 6.75″ x 10″ of lining plus interfacing
2 pcs-4″ x 6″ for pocket plus interfacing
1 pc 3″ x 13″ or 2 pcs 2.75″ x 13″ (this is if you are using a thicker fabric) 1 pc should be a thin woven plus interfacing
1 pc 3″ x 2″ for the d ring tab NO INTERFACING
4 pcs 1.75″ x 2″ for zipper tabs NO INTERFACING
3/4″ d ring and swivel clip
10″ (or longer) #5 zipper tape and pull to match

I like to start with the d ring tab and the wrist strap because they are my least favorite! If you aren’t using a thick fabric you can just cut your strap as one piece. If your fabric is thick, you will want to back it with something thinner. You also want to use a thinner woven with no stretch for the d ring tab and the zipper tabs. Fold the d ring tab in half and crease it. Open it up and fold both sides into the center crease, then fold the entire piece in half and topstitch. Add your d ring and set aside.

For the strap- if using one piece fold like the step above. My main fabric is thick so I will be backing it with my lining fabric. Sew the two pieces right sides together down one side. Open it up and fold the same way you did the d ring tab. Slide your swivel clip on, removing most of your clips. I like to slide the swivel clip to the middle and use a sewing clip on each side just to keep it out of the way. Open your ends and match them right sides together. Stitch. Trim your seam allowance to remove bulk.

You now have a continuous loop!!! Fold the sides back in and fold in half. Clip in place. Start at the seam and stitch the open side, then flip it and stitch the closed side, moving your swivel clip out of the way as you go. Flip right side out, slide your swivel down close to the seam and stitch across, as close as you can get to the clip. Set aside.

Next we will prep the zipper. I use zipper tape by the yard but you can use a premade zipper. I personally like to have my zipper a little long and cut it down because it gives me a little wiggle room if something doesn’t end up perfect! Start by taking 2 of your zipper tab pieces. Lay one right side up, lay the zipper on top right side up and then the other tab right side down. Stitch. Flip both pieces right sides out and to the end of the zipper. Topstitch.

For the other end, I lay the zipper on top of one of my main pieces and mark where I want my zipper tab at Tip: I like to have a little bit of the tabs hanging over the edge. Now you will sew this end the same way you did the first end. Trim the tabs so they are the same width of the zipper…this makes it easier to sew later! Set your zipper aside for a minute!

Take your 2 main and 2 vinyl pieces. Lay each set right sides together and stitch. Change your stitch length to 3.5 or 4 and if you have a teflon foot…use it now!!! If you don’t have a teflon foot, you can use tissue paper and just pull it off later. Vinyl is sticky so you will definitely want something to help it glide over. Flip the vinyl down and topstitch.

CHANGE YOUR STITCH LENGTH BACK!!!

To sew the pocket-place both pieces right sides together, start sewing at the bottom and sew all the way around leaving a small hole for turning. Trim your corners and cut down any bulk. Turn right side out. Fold in the bottom and clip closed. Topstitch only the top edge.

Take one lining piece and fold in half to find the center. Find the center of your pocket and place in the center of your lining. Pin in place and stitch around the sides and bottom.

Lay your lining piece with the pocket face up. Place the zipper face up with the pull to the left on top, then one of your outside pieces face down. Clip in place. TIP: you may need to move your zipper pull as you sew to keep it out of the way. Change to your zipper foot and sew.

After you have your zipper attached, flip both pieces back and finger press. Topstitch using your zipper foot. Then repeat with the other side.

OPEN YOUR ZIPPER HALF WAY!!!

Fold your main pieces right sides together, start at the vinyl seams so that it looks nice from the sides. Then fold the zipper tabs together towards the outside (sorry this part is hard to explain). Go ahead and do both sides.

Next we will attach the d ring. Look inside and make sure you are putting it on the correct side first. We want the d ring attached to the side that the zipper is open. Then clip it between both layers of fabric. Finish clipping the rest of the way around. Leave a small opening in the lining for turning.

Stitch around the entire thing, making sure to backstitch over the zipper tabs and the d ring tab. Then you also want to do a second line of stitching on the vinyl. This will take the stress off the seams and hopefully prevent ripping! Trim your zipper tabs to reduce the bulk.

To box the corners, you will need a small quilting ruler and a marking pen or chalk. Reach inside the bag and press the corners out so that the seam is flat. Place your ruler with the 3/4″ mark on the seam. That will give you a finished corner of 1.5″. Stitch with two rows of stitching. Repeat with the other 3 corners. Trim off all 4 corners.