Tuesday, May 01, 2012

sewing a wallet = saving money


Two weekends ago, I gathered some lineny canvas leftovers and cotton twill scraps, salvaged floral print bias binding, a leftover piece of leather strap, a couple brass zippers, a brass stud, etc. and made myself an envelope system wallet:

If you're familiar with Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, then you know its purpose:


 "I found out that Grandma's way to handle money still works. People used to always use cash envelopes to control their monthly spending, but very few do in today's card swiping culture. The envelope system is a key component of the Total Money Makeover plan because it works." 
~Dave Ramsey


The pattern I adapted is by Walter + Veronica, and can be found here, very inexpensively.



There are lots of pockets to keep you organized!  I only used four pouches--2 open and 2 zippered--since that is enough for my purposes.  For the open pockets, I just finished the top edges with some brown, 1/4-inch bias binding.  Short pieces of twill tape were stitched on the front of each pocket and labeled with a permanent ink marker. 



I used a scrap of leather and a brass stud for a closure.


Let the 'money makeover' begin!

28 comments:

  1. You do such a beautiful job sewing! It makes me aspire to greater heights =). I was hoping you'd be selling these, its exactly what i've been looking for! I tried to use envelopes but i spend a lot of time fumbling around at the checkout these days. guess it's time to get out the sewing machine and get to work!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words! I've popped over to your blog and love it already--very beautiful & good stuff! ...Deb

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  2. We've been doing the Dave Ramsey plan for about 4 years now. You won't regret it! Such peace comes when the finances are under control. Congrats on your new journey, Jean

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  3. Hi Debbie,

    Wow!! Dave would be proud :) You did an incredible job and it looks like you paid BIG money for it. Thanks for sharing the link to the pattern!

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  4. Terrific looking wallet! Where's the money?

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  5. Financial Peace! Love it! I have a wallet that has two separate areas that I use to keep my grocery money. It makes you really watch what you buy, so as not to go over what you have to spend! I think your wallet system is great, too!

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  6. It's a really great wallet. Dave Ramsey's way is the best, so you are on the right track! Way to go!

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  7. Little funny story about the Dave Ramsey system. About 15 years ago, at my grandmother's house, my cousin and I were sitting around talking, and she mentioned that she used the Dave Ramsey finance system....then a few days later my brother mentioned the same thing. Well, I thought to my self, "what does Uncle Dave know, that is so special?".... My Mom has a brother named Dave Ramsey! Later I found out that they speaking of Dave Ramsey the Fiancial Advisor! I love your take on the wallet, very cool.

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  8. Your wallet is awesome!! I just recently bought myself a fabric wallet with different compartments in it in a bid to organize myself. I'm not a big spender but I'm terribly unorganized so I think I am in need of some kind of method - Dave Ramsey sounds great.
    I wish I could sew!!! but I find it completely mind-boggling!!

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  9. Stepyhanie in SC4:55 AM

    I would so buy that wallet!

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  10. That is ONE SERIOUS WALLET!!! I love the fact it's made from left-overs and scraps. It looks fairly heavy-duty and like it will last a long time. So clever!
    Teresa x

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  11. Another really nice sewing project from you! Love it. (Especially like the "groceries" cloth lable.) Keep us posted on your new approach to financial ways.

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  12. Anonymous11:46 AM

    Will you take orders??? Love the wallet. I did Dave's program several years ago, then my husband returned from Iraq with PTSD and a should injury from flinging large peices of metal and other junk. Needless to say, we did use credit through this storm- we went through the small savings. We are plugging away again at the system. Glad to have the resource.
    Nice work.
    Teresa in Ohio

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    1. Hi Teresa,
      Just a note to let you know that a few of the envelope system wallets have been listed in my shop:
      http://www.fireflyfarm.freeservers.com/catalog_2.html
      Thanks for your interest,
      Deb

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  13. That really is lovely work.
    I wouldn't have the patience ! there's such a lot of effort and time gone into that. well done.

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  14. What a great wallet. All of the pockets are perfect,

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  15. I am struck by how well made it looks, whenever I make something, it is so obvious that it is handmade because of the little mistake in it.

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  16. You always do such beautiful work! That wallet is wonderful and I love all the fabrics you used in it! I've been using the envelope systems of Dave's for a couple years (with handmade paper envelopes). This wallet is perfect -- so I'll have to muster up the courage and attempt to make one.

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  17. How beautiful!!!! I think I'm going to have to make one. Your work is so inspirational!!!! Thanks for sharing.:)

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  18. This is so lovely! And it's what I am hoping will come from this wallet pattern--everyone adapting it to what works from them and using what they have :)

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  19. Wow Deb! this is amazing! you are so talented. Love the floral touches too. Congratultions, Claire

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  20. That wallet is really nice. Do you use a regular sewing machine to sew through the leather piece? I've been wanting to make something that has a leather strap but I don't know how to do that on my Elna machine.

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    1. Kathy,
      Thanks! I do use my regular sewing machine to go through the leather--I have a Viking Platinum 715 and the leather is a soft cowhide. I just go slowly and carefully and don't have a problem...Deb

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  21. Thank you for this inspiring post - to make and to continue on with the envelope system. I got the W&V pattern- an incredible value!! Thank you!

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  22. Will you be making these to sell? I LOVE your design, and I am SO sewing impaired!

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    1. Thanks Jan! I am working on some to sell in my shop--it's a bit slow with all the nice weather calling me outdoors to work, but I hope to have them available in a couple weeks...Deb

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    2. Jan,
      Just a note to let you know that a few of the envelope system wallets have been listed in my shop: http://www.fireflyfarm.freeservers.com/catalog_2.html
      Thanks for your interest, Deb

      Delete
  23. This is just what I needed! Thank you for the links .. and the motivation. :)

    Your wallet looks so lovely. I hope I can do 1/2 as good a job.

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Thank you for taking time to leave a comment--I love reading each and every one! I will try to answer any questions you have in the comment section. Due to the amount of spam, I am sadly no longer able to accept Anonymous comments....Kindly, Deb

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