{Made} The Keep It Simple Passport Wallet Holder

It's just no fun to carry around your passport in your backpack, purse or carry-on luggage. I'm always afraid that I am going to lose the passport or it's going to slip out of my bag. Well... I don't have to worry anymore!
Enter the "Traveler Passport Wallet" pattern from Birdiful Stitches and "Voila!," I have the perfect accompaniment on my trip!

Now for the pattern review!

Fabric: As in their other patterns, the Traveler Passport Wallet pattern suggests that you use 3 fat quarters of fabric. Realistically, that will make you 2 wallets. I'm not sure what the third fat quarter is for, I only used two coordinating fabrics {Note to self}. If you have some extra scraps laying around from some previous projects or in your stash, I would recommend using them. Home Decor weight fabrics would be ideal for this project! (I think my cottons are a little too lightweight!)

Be sure to grab some vinyl for the ID window. As mentioned in the post about the luggage tags, I highly suggest the heavier weight vinyl ($7.99/yd) at Hancock Fabrics.
You will also need heavier-weight interfacing for the main body of the wallet. Chances are you may have some scraps that will work, but if not, make sure to buy at least 1/4 of a yard of interfacing. 

Notions: 

Thread

Magnetic or Clamp-On Snaps (Book Style Luggage Tag Only)
Zipper - Ideally, it would be 6" long; however, you could really use any size you have lying around as you will be resizing it anyway.

Difficulty of Pattern: I would rate this pattern at an intermediate to advanced level. There are quite a few sewing skills that you will need to have mastered including inserting and resizing a zipper, sewing rounded corners and turning of fabric pieces.

Time to Complete: Approximately 60 minutes with cutting and sewing for one passport holder. 

Machines Used: I used my sewing machine exclusively.

Alterations/Changes Made to the Pattern:  I made the same change to this pattern as I had to the Birdiful Stitches Luggage Tag pattern. With the vinyl, I cut it slightly smaller than the window pattern piece, stitched it and did NOT trim it (as suggested in the pattern). Again, it makes the weight a little heavier and is slightly harder to turn, but it's worth it in the stability aspect of the wallet. 

I also noticed, after the fact, that I attached the zippered pocket on the wrong side of the wallet. It's not marked in the pattern and it isn't really a big deal, but if I was to remake the pattern, I would definitely place the back zippered pocket on the other side.

Tips: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT throw away the 1" piece that stands alone on page 4. This is a pattern piece! 

Yeah/Nay: I really like this! I would make it again, but as mentioned earlier, I would use home decor weight fabric and have a little a lot more patience in turning the entire wallet. 

Want to make your own? Have you entered the Birdiful Stitches Giveaway yet? You could win your choice of 3 of Berritt's patterns! 

I can't wait to use this on the trip to Ireland!

Tiffany