CD Wallet - Made With Love

My mother just learned how to burn music onto a cd to listen to in the car. I was going to get her a cd wallet, but they were all so boring! So I made her one instead.

Step 1:

What you need:
thick cardboard or plastic, enough for 2- 5" x 5" squares
Fabric for the outside, 7 1/4" x 15"
Soft fabric for the inside, 7 1/4" x 15"
Soft fabric for the sleeves, each square 6" x 6" (10 squares for 5 cds)
thread
Freezer paper optional
snaps or velcro
ruler
mat knife
pencil/pen/chalk
pins
scissors

Try to reuse/repurpose fabric and cardboard for this project!

Step 2:

Cut 2 squares 5" x 5" to make the core of your wallet. I like to use the cardboard backs of sketch pads for this purpose, but you could use 1/4" mat board or a piece of plastic if you had one around. The cardboard gives a nice dimension to this cozy wallet--plastic would be great for a sleeker design.

Use a straight edge! I also like to use a triangle to get the lines squared off. But do not cut along the edge of your plastic tools--you will nick them. Instead, once you have marked your angles switch to your cork bottom ruler--it prevents slippage. And I hope I don't have to remind you to cut on a mat or an old board.

Step 3:

Cut 2 pieces of fabric for the outside of your wallet. I used one piece of an indigo cotton weave and one piece of red flannel. (denim, corduroy or a cute calico would work--just nothing stretchy) Cut both pieces 15" x 7 1/4".

Step 4:

To add the heart* on the front simply draw the shape onto the non-waxy side of a piece of freezer paper. Iron the waxy side onto the fabric and then just cut out the shape. The paper will peel off easily. I can never draw a proper heart, so I traced around this wood one. 3" tall is about right for the shape. Or make a few smaller ones. You could also paint a design onto the front.

*or any shape you wish!

Step 5:

Sew your heart onto the front of your cover fabric. Pin the heart into place and zigzag around the edges. I traced out my stitch lines first so that I was sure of the placement (see next step)

Step 6:

Your first core square will sit 1/2" from the bottom of the rectangle. This will be the front of the case, and your heart should be sewn on this area, with the bottom of the heart nearer to the second square. Then leave 1/2" and then place the second square. The squares will be 1 1/8" in from both sides. Place your heart accordingly--remember that there will be about 2" of overlap at the top for a closure.

Step 7:

Sew both pieces with the right sides together, stitching 1/2" seam allowance along one side, the bottom, then the other side. Because I used 2 different color fabrics, I threaded my machine with a blue top thread and a red bobbin. Then I try to remember to have the red fabric on the bottom when I sew!

When you get to each corner take one stitch at a diagonal rather than stitching at right angles. Believe it or not, this will create a nicer corner. Leave the top open. Trim the seams to 1/4". Now flip it right side out and press.

Step 8:

Drop the first cardboard square into the rectangular "sleeve." Pin the seams so that the square sits directly at the bottom, and 5/8" from both sides. Also pin the top seam. Sew along these seams using a zipper foot to get close to the edge. Drop in the next square and repeat the process, leaving 1/2" between this square and the first. (This allows for approx. 5 cd's to be stored. Leave more room for if you plan to carry more cd's.)

Step 9:

Cut several pairs of fabric squares, 6" x 6". This should be soft fabric so as not to scratch your cds. I like to use pinking shears for fun. I cut 5 pairs, so I can store 5 cd's. (The 5th cd goes between the last pair and the outer piece) Sew each pair together along the top edge--nap, or soft sides, out with a 1/4 seam allowance.

*Alternatively, you could plan ahead, cut the squares 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" , sew them with a 1/2" seam allowance, and THEN trim them with the pinking shears. If you like to plan ahead...

Step 10:

Now stack them all up, with a cd in between each sleeve. This allows some space between each sleeve. Pin the sides, remove the cd's and stitch right across the side edges.

Step 11:

Topstitch the bottom edge of the stack onto the inside of the cover, just along the bottom of the top square (the one that will be the back of the wallet) .

Step 12:

I had to hand stitch the top corners of the wallet because my machine would not stitch through that much fabric...Gee, I sure could use a new sewing machine...

I topstitched the unfinished edges together and trimmed with my pinking shears to finish the flap. Mine was about 2". If you wanted to you could make it longer and put your design on the flap as well or instead.

Step 13:

Sew on some snaps or Velcro. I sew on the male snap first, then put some tailor's wax on it and press it into the fabric where it should meet the other side. Then I place the female snap and sew. I used an awl to put some holes in the cardboard to make it easier to sew through.

Now you are done!

Step 14:

My friend taught me how to stencil with freezer paper, but when I got home to Manhattan I couldn't find it anywhere! I finally snagged a roll in a grocery off of Dykman, which is waaaay uptown. But recently I also saw it in our favorite grocery in the Bronx, the Garden Gourmet on Broadway and 130th. So it seems to be getting popular again. But if you can't find it near you, it is also available online.