Another Wristlet

After seeing some woven fabric projects pop up on Instagram, I wanted to try it for myself. I ordered a package of two Wefty needles.

Then I decided what I wanted to make - my favorite wristlet: The Essential Wristlet.

First I cut lots of skinny strips on the cross-grain of my fabric. I ran them through my 1/2" bias tape maker to fold both raw edges to the center. After positioning a piece of fusible interfacing, fusible side up, to my ironing table, I pinned the strips, fold side down on top of the interfacing.

The next step was to make more strips with a second fabric - a small print - and use the small-sized Wefty needle to weave those strips through at a 30-degree angle. The pattern is Tumbling Blocks, and I followed this YouTube video.

The last diagonal weave was a solid orange fabric, woven at the opposite 30-degree angle.

Also, here's a nice tutorial of it by MisterDomestic who recently hosted a weave-along.

Anyway, I ended up sewing my newly created woven fabric into this. Admittedly, it was a little tricky putting that side zipper in the fabric, given that the weaving makes it extra thick. But, that thickness sure gives the wristlet a nice sturdiness.

Also on the outside I added to the opposite side of the wristlet a vinyl rectangle, edged with fabric strips. It's not included in the pattern, but is the ideal place to put my resident ID.

Happily, I had this cute zipper tab in my stash - from an Etsy order placed for an assortment of zipper tabs. Living as I do without a quilt shop nearby, it's most convenient to keep these kinds of supplies on hand.

Inside the wristlet I used one of my favorite texty-type prints, and added another inside zipper. The wristlet pattern does include the open pocket (seen at the bottom of this picture) for a cell phone, but the pattern doesn't include the zipper pocket. I find that pocket a necessity for valuables like a few dollars cash and driver's license.

This wristlet is the perfect size for my necessities: iPhone, ID, tissues, a pen, lip gloss, the garage remote and golf cart key, and a few dollars. Who needs more than that?

This is the fourth time I've made this wristlet, and I'm completely satisfied with every iteration of it. Linda

Edited to add: I'm linking this post to "Bag It 2016" being hosted by Elm Street Quilts.