Future of Wallet Designs (the honey-do list)

I'm really digging the wallet designs and like the direction it's going in.  That said, there are plenty of room for improvement which I will list below:

Workflow - I need to cut out a bunch of the templates so I can increase my work flow. I already do this for the money strap but the body of the wallet should also have this.

Hide exposed edges - The wallets will age (hopefully) gracefully but sewing in exposed edges will make the wallets look more professional. This does mean that I have to extend the length by 2/8'' and use basting tape to keep it from slipping, and then top-stitch 1/8''. This has to happen before the assembly of the body since the wallet mouth is too small to wrap around the pressure foot.

Create a box - This is the box the wallet would go in. I am tentatively planning on selling this at the IFAW craft fair so I think it would look snazzy as a stocking stuffer. Anyone have ideas for how much to charge for the wallet?

Buy more vinyl - This is for when I run out vinyl (which is happening soon!). I'll play around with color and texture.

Experiment with decorative stitches - Self explanatory. The money strap will need something other than a zigzag stitch.  Different color options is also a good idea.

Wallet 6.0 and 7.0 Designs

I like my designer friends. They give me ideas of how to tweak designs I have in my head to improve what's already there. With the vertical wallet, I was concerned about the money strap being too loose so one friend suggested that the strap be worked into the notch cut out.  Doing so created Wallet 6.0.

Wallet 6.0

 (Designed 10/15/17)

The money strap had to be sewn in reverse so there would be no exposed seams and adds to the tightness. I think it came out good.

But then when I was reviewing this, I looked at the side seams and realized how much stress those seams would experience and thought to myself that maybe the seams could be done away with by moving from 2 pieces to 1 and rotating the design to the back. Doing this was far more complicated than I wish as it wasn't as simple as shifting the design; I had to instead shorten areas that were designated for seam allowances, and length areas that needed lengthening.  In the end it was worth it and the design now looks like this:

Wallet 7.0

(Designed 10/15/17)

Here's what the wallets, side by side, looks like:

Designing Methodology

When I design I usually start super simple: What do I want to make. By this time, I basically know my aesthetic so I know how I want whatever I'm making will look but the various elements can be pretty complicated.

If I wanted to make a bag, I want to know what kind of bag it'll be, what kinds of enclosures I want, how the bag will be held or carried and pockets. Don't forget the pockets.  I'll usually have an idea about the dimensions and from there I break down each sewable element such as which step needs to follow the previous step, measuring panels with seam allowances, etc.  Often I'll look online for how construction works, the materials needed, and over the course of a few hours to a few weeks, I will spend designing how I want this bag to look and how I'd assemble it.

I have a fairly tame aesthetic and tend to want as simple a design as possible, since I don't work with a lot of exotic materials/tools.  Also I find that busy designs are needlessly complicated and there are often too many ways things could go to hell.  Remember KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid.

Wallet Design

If you want to make one, these are super easy to measure, cut and sew.  This wallet will carry (comfortably) 8 cards, plus 5 bills.  This is made from black textured vinyl which is thin enough that I could run through the sewing machine.

Measure 4 6/8'' x 3 6/8''

At the 2 3/8'' cut a hole to your liking.  Mine was about the size of a nickel.

Measure 1'' x 3 6/8''  This will be your strap.  I measured 1/8'' and beveled the strip as a decorate measure.

Cut your wallet design in the fabric of your choice.  I would recommend using a wallet that has some stretch as your cards will need to fit inside it.  Fold your fabric right sides together and slip your strap inbetween the two layers at the midpoint.  Carefully sew along those edges at a 1/8'' seam allowance on both sides.  Invert everything so only the right sides are showing.  Use a pen to even out the corners. Wallet is done!

I measured the midpoint on the wrong side of the fabric and added a decorative stitch.

Design, must design

I'm cutting back on my video games to design more.  Designed and made 2 more wallets from vinyl.  These are incredibly rough designs and mockups that need a ton more tweaking.  The biggest drawback of vinyl is how terrible the edges look when you cut them.  It's a work in progress and shows promise.

Sick

I'm sick as a dog.  I knew I shouldn't have gone to Happy Hour sushi.

DC folk don't know how to cover their moves when they cough/sneeze.  Bleagh.  Fever, phlegmy and feeling overall gross.

Ideas and Thoughts on the Website

Here is some spitballing for the website in no particular order:

• More speed coloring videos from Procreate/Youtube
• Livecasting drawings on the iPad Pro in Procreate
• Q&A?  Maybe too personal for someone like me.
• Update the 'About Me'
• Tinker with the different options for layouts
• Tinker with font types
• Tie in Youtube, Facebook, Etsy
• Recreate Instagram, tie in that
• Create a logo

Rushing

The month of September, I bought an Uber Pass which was $20 for the month, which ensures that all trips to and from work would be $1.49 per trip. That means that the cost of ubering to and frm work would actually be cheaper than one trip on the metro during rush hour. That's bonkers.

The issue is trying to coordinate my leaving for work at a time that waiting for the Uber isn't over 10 minutes.  So ordering the Uber becomes a game of chance. Do I book it while I'm unprepared hoping the wait wouldn't be too bad? Or do I hold off until I'm ready but the wait may be over 15 minutes long?

Today was a humbling experience where I ordered the Uber, while I barely had pants on and the Uber was 5 minutes away. I managed to get everything and race out the door, but everything isn't really everything. I forgot a belt and my wallet.

Happy Monday.

Website Design is Underway!

It's been on my to-do list to recreate a website.  I'm hoping that something like this will either steer me in the right direction, broaden my horizons, or narrow the scope of interests so I can focus on hobbies.  We'll see, I guess.