Handmade Christmas Challenge - June Entry

It's the 25th of the month and today I'm posting my June entry for Sew Cal Gal's  "A Handmade Christmas Challenge".

Each month Sew Cal Gal encourages her followers to post things we have made either for our own homes for Christmas, or to use as Christmas gifts. We link them up and get a chance to win a prize via a random drawing. I didn't enter for the prizes, but because I really like the idea of making some nice things for Christmas, either as decorations or for giving. I usually don't think of doing something like this until Thanksgiving, and then it's too late and I'm too busy. So I decided to take the challenge!

This month, with time short as usual, I decided to find some simple pattern that would be useful. After some searching, I found a free pattern on Craftsy that was just perfect. It's the "Mini Scrap Wallet" by the Sewing Loft. This pattern is super easy and would be great of "made" fabric using scraps from the scrap bin. I wanted to use Christmas fabric, and since I really didn't have any scraps, I just made the wallets from two fabrics, one for the outside and another for the lining. I think they turned out well.

Mini Scrap Wallets pattern by The Sewing Loft
available free from Craftsy.

Unfortunately, I didn't have any Velcro or snaps, so I just tacked a piece of ribbon to the back. It's a bit shorter than I would like, though, so I may change that later. These are the perfect size to hold a gift card, or maybe a piece of jewelry or some other small gift. I think my friends and family will love them! All three took less than 2 hours, start to finish.

I love Craftsy classes, but this is the first pattern I've tried from one of their independent designers. There are a fair number of free patterns - most fairly simple - and some really nice paid patterns as well as fabric and notions. If you haven't checked them out yet, I would recommend you do; you can click the link above. They even have some free mini-classes you can try as well!

Speaking of checking things out, have you been to Sew Cal Gal's site yet? It has wonderful quilty and crafty info. Don't forget to check out the Handmade Christmas Challenge. There are some lovely things posted there. Maybe you'll be inspired to enter and even win a prize!

Have a great day and keep sewing!