Over a year ago, I made a test version of the Necessary Clutch Wallet and I thought it was about time to make up a proper version. This pattern is one of my favourites from Janelle at Emmaline Bags and the pattern has a huge cult following. I cut it out in stages and stitched up each section as I went along. I am so thrilled with it and do a little dance inside every time I pull it out of my handbag. I used a light grey peppered cotton for the outside and two FQs of coordinating prints. The scalloped one is a Riley Blake print, but I have no idea what the other one is.
The hardware for the bag was supplied by my sponsor Sew Creative Supplies. They are Australian based, so if you’re looking for locally supplied hardware, check them out. They have a great selection of twist locks and other hardware and if you speak to the girls they can put together a little kit for you filled with all the supplies and interfacing needed to make the wallet.
I used Janelle’s tutorial for the alternate front flap styling. I kept my flat piping piece as one rather than two strips, that way the stripes were guaranteed to line up. This style front is meant to be used with a tongue lock, but it looks just as good with a twist lock. It took me 1 1/2 hours to cut the little hole for the lock!! Crazy! I was worried about making it too big, so just did a little at a time, but I think I probably could have been less careful.
This pattern really gives you such a professional finish. I interfaced it slightly different to my original wallet because I wanted it quite stiff. I used peltex for the whole front flap, added a layer of felt to the middle of the body and used two small pieces of peltex to line the zip pockets so that they were nice and firm. The original pattern has one zip pocket, but I found it so handy that I added the second one in. You can read my original review of the pattern here.
I added a little loop for the wrist strap, so it easily unhooks if I don’t want to use it. My machine coped really well with all the layers and only struggled in one spot which was adding the zip pockets onto the wallet. I was trying to use topstitching thread, but it was skipping stitches. I switched to a regular weight thread and it was fine. I also think I might have put the twist part of the lock a little low. If I pack the wallet full with all my stuff and an iPhone, then it’s a little ticky to close, but I don’t often put my phone in so it’s not a worry.
If you want to give the pattern a go, you can buy it here. I also have to mention this fantastic facebook group which is full of ladies who have made thousands of these between them. If you need any help, the group is your first stop!
I still need to spray some fabric protector on there, but knowing me, that will never happen! Have you made a Necessary Clutch?
Natalie from Sewoutnumbered says
This is just gorgeous Abby! Love the fabric choices and you’ve got me thinking about doing my next one with a more neutral exterior colour than I was planning. That way it could go with more things. Did you use peltex on the front at all – as in, on that centre strip? Or is it just interfaced fabric? Love the piping detail too!
abby says
I made the whole front flap and then put the peltex in at the end, so it’s one piece the shape and size of the whole flap. Does that make sense?
Natalie from Sewoutnumbered says
I think so. You used one large piece of peltex for the whole flap rather than just the border piece? I guess that would make it firmer.
abby says
Yes one large piece.
Jen says
Love this wallet! Very nice!
abby says
thanks Jen!
Liz says
Your wall at is ridiculously good! Seriously, that top stitching is puuuuurfect!! Also, the photos capture the colours so well.
abby says
thanks Liz. Sometimes it’s worth taking your time, hey? Especially with topstitching!
Lorena says
It is gorgeous, I love it and your stitches are perfect !!!
abby says
thanks Lorena!
Nicole says
Wow, that is stunning! What a gorgeously wonderful wallet!
abby says
thanks Nicole! That’s a huge deal coming from you…love your work!
Elise says
This is so amazing!! Can you please post a pic of it with your phone in it so I can get an idea? Looking for a wallet that will easily hold my phone, which has a big toddler-proof case on it
abby says
not sure if a phone would fit with a chunky case on it. Take a look at the ‘https://www.facebook.com/groups/ncwaddicts/’ group. They have a lot of details to make modifications to fit all kinds of phones. Lots of photos too!
Amanda says
I made myself this wallet last week after my son broke mine….and love it! I would love to add the second zippered pocket, is there a tutorial for that? I tried it out on my own and it didn’t go well lol.
Thanks !
abby says
I found the tutorial in the ‘NCW Addicts’ facebook group. They have a heap of tutorials for customisations. I love the second zip pocket, it’s so handy. I still use the wallet every day.
Amanda says
Awesome I will check it out thanks so much!
Linda says
Jean the Jellyroll Queen, as she is called, has many tutorials on YouTube for this wallet including the double zip pocket. Also there is a new assembly line tutorial for the NSW by Jessica Cruzan who has her own bag making business in Hawaii. She’s amazing!
abby says
thanks, I’ll take a look.
Mary Alice says
I love your wallet.
What foot did you use to get such perfect top stitching.
abby says
Hi Mary, I can’t quite remember but it either would have been my regular foot (going nice and slow) or my open toe foot. Hope that helps!