Happy New Year, sewists! There’s something special about starting the year with a new sewing project, isn’t there? On The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel, I recently kicked off the year with a sew-along for the Mini NCW (Necessary Clutch Wallet). It’s a tradition for many bag makers, and for good reason—this wallet is a joy to sew, with just the right mix of challenge and creativity. I shared some of my favourite custom techniques, tips for working with waterproof canvas, and plenty of laughs with our wonderful sewing community. Here’s a little preview of what we got up to, but make sure to catch the full video for all the details!
The Mini NCW Wallet is a fantastic project to start the year with—it’s practical, fun to sew, and a brilliant way to use up some of those fabric scraps you’ve been saving. During the live sew-along, I walked viewers through the entire process, from cutting out the pattern pieces to finishing touches. Here are some of the highlights!
Choosing Materials and Making Modifications:
For my wallet, I opted for waterproof canvas paired with Decovil Light for stabilization. If you’ve never worked with waterproof canvas before, don’t worry—I shared plenty of tips for cutting, folding, and sewing this fabric without unnecessary bulk. I also made some custom adjustments to the original NCW pattern, including tweaks to the card slot construction and reinforcement techniques.
The ‘Nor Fold’ Method for Card Slots:
One of the standout techniques in this sew-along was the “No Fan Fold” method I use for folding waterproof canvas. Since ironing isn’t ideal for this material, I demonstrated how to create sharp, crisp folds using nothing but a stiletto and a bit of patience. It’s perfect for assembling card slots that look professional and stay sturdy.
Step-by-Step Assembly:
The assembly process felt quicker than it actually was, thanks to a clear workflow:
Card Slots: Assembled first for a solid foundation.
Coin Pocket: I reused pre-sized zips from my stash, adding waterproof canvas tabs for a neat finish without extra bulk.
Flap and Body: These came together smoothly with careful alignment and reinforcement stitching.
I also demonstrated some handy tricks for marking and finding the centre of each component, ensuring that everything aligned perfectly.
Topstitching and Finishing Touches:
Topstitching is one of my favourite parts of any sewing project—it’s where everything starts to look polished! I used a stitch length of 4.5 for topstitching and kept my construction stitches at 2.5. Special care was taken around the zip and coin pocket to ensure a consistent, clean finish.
For those tricky corners, I showed how to turn them out neatly using just my fingers and a trusty “pokey thing” (yes, that’s the technical term!). Waterproof canvas needs minimal pressing, so I used a pressing cloth to avoid damaging the material.
A Community Sew-Along:
What made this project even more special was the chance to interact with viewers in real-time. We chatted about hardware placement, using metal zippers, and shared our favourite bag-making tips. It was lovely to hear everyone’s experiences and see their creativity shine!
The Mini NCW Wallet is the perfect way to start your sewing year! It’s not just about making something beautiful—it’s about learning new skills, trying new materials, and connecting with a community of passionate bag makers. If you’d like to see the full process, from cutting to final stitching, head over to The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety on YouTube and join the fun. I promise you’ll come away feeling inspired and ready to tackle your next project. Let’s sew together!
Until next time, happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full.
Deb x
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