Snappy Manicure Wallets

2014 was the first year that I’ve had to think about giving gifts to teachers, since it’s the first year that one of my kids has been in school.  Luke is in 3 year old preschool this year and I wanted to give his teachers a handmade gift.  I had a few different patterns that were in the running but I settled on the Snappy Manicure Wallet from Noodlehead.  It’s a free pattern and it’s a great little stash busting project. 

I made the first one as a test run using velcro instead of snaps for the closure.  I loved how the wallet turned out but I didn’t love the velcro.  Who knows why, but I was pretty scared to try inserting snaps.  I guess it’s the thought of creating something and then having to cut a hole in it– what if the snaps didn’t set in right?  Then I’ve ruined my project.  It’s sort of the feeling I got making my first welt pocket, but on a much smaller scale.

Anyway, I got brave, bought some snaps, and did a test run.  The snap went in without a hitch, so I used snaps on all of the wallets from there on out.  I posted a photo of my first wallet on Facebook and a few of my friends asked if I’d make wallets for them.  I was able to use stash fabrics for all but one of the wallets I made and got a nice assembly line going.

I decided to quilt the outside of a few of them, for some added interest.  I used heavy duty silver snaps on a few of them and pearl snaps on the rest.  The pearl snaps are really easy to insert, because they don’t require you to cut a hole in the fabric.  They have prongs that poke through the fabric instead.  I don’t have a fancy snap setter– I just used the ones that came in the pack with the snaps I bought.  I really loved the pearl snaps (and when I finally get to make my Archer shirts I will probably use pearl snaps on at least one!)  I also used fusible fleece to line the main exterior fabric.  I think the pattern suggests using batting, but I liked the structure I got from the fusible fleece.

I was actually a little bit sad when this project came to an end.  It was so much fun to dig through my stash to find fabrics that would coordinate– and it made me nostalgic for the clothes that I have made out of these fabrics.  Some of my friends suggested color palettes but mostly I got to run wild and be creative with my choices.   I hope that all of the recipients like them as much as I liked making them!

~Teri