[Simple] Wristlet DIY

Normally I'm all about not getting all excited about Christmas until Thanksgiving is over. But this year, I decided to do handmade gifts for most of my friends and family members [which I may regret soon].

Anyway...so, like a good crafter, I scoured Pinterest for some good gift ideas to get my creative juices flowing. I gathered a few ideas, came up with some of my own, and am feeling alright about this handmade Christmas business...for now. So, be prepared, I'll be sharing my handmade Christmas-gifts-to-be with you over the next few weeks.

The first thing on the list was to make wristlets for my two older nieces [ages 8 & 6]. I found some really cute heavier duck fabric on clearance at Hobby Lobby, along with a remnant of cream canvas fabric that I used to line the inside.

I think I spent $5 on all of this fabric - and actually I had a gift card, so I really spent $0 on this fabric! Score. I already had some coordinating zippers from my mom/grandma's sewing box.

Yup, these zippers have been around for a while. Thanks, Grandma, for buying these back in the day...and thanks, Mom, for not sewing much so I could use these today.

Alright, I'll get on with it...

First, cut two pieces of the patterned fabric and two pieces of the off white, 5" x 8" [be sure to cut your long side according to your zipper]. Don't forget to iron your fabric. Layer the lining on the plain or inside of the patterned fabric, pin together.

Now, I had never sewn a zipper up to this point, so I used this tutorial to help me out, so head over there if you need help, because I for sure cannot give you a better tutorial on that.

After sewing the zipper, open up the zipper, then sew the other sides together [fabric is still pattern sides together, lining out, zipper to the inside] - leaving a small opening near the top on the side you want the wrist strap. Opening the zipper is key, so you can turn the pouch right-side-out later without a struggle.

For the strap, cut a strip of fabric, about one inch thick and twice the length of your desired strap length, with a little seam allowance [I cut mine about 10.5 inches]. Fold each cut edge into the middle and iron them so they stay down. Then fold the strap in half where the two edges meet, iron again. Then sew down the length of the strap.

Insert the strap through the opening in the side of the pouch, with the loop on the inside. Tuck the loop of the strap inside, so it gets sewn on straight.

Sew the opening shut with the end of the strap pulled through. Then trim the corners of the pouch, so they will look better when you turn them out.

Turn the pouch right-side-out and...done!

These are far from perfect, but that's the beauty of creating handmade gifts...and creating them for kids! :)

Sorry if that was a cumbersome tutorial! Hopefully it was helpful!

Thanks for stopping by!