Tutorial: Make a driving licence cover
If you, like me, live in the UK, you'll be familiar with the photocard driving licences we have, but I've recently discovered not many people know that you must keep your paper bit with the card for it to be fully valid. I have always done this, however keeping it in my bag (read: I have been IDed up to the age of 27 so I always carry it) has made my official holder look like this:
Yeah, two pieces, really not good. So I made myself a pretty one with my most favouritest fabric. Here's how I did it.YOU WILL NEED2x 9 1/2" x 5" of outer fabric2x 9 1/2" x 5", plus 3" x 3 1/2" rectangle of lining fabric3" x 4" of clear PVC (mine came from a pencil case)2x 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" scrap for the flapButtonFabric pencilScissors1) Cut out all of your fabric pieces. On the back of one of your outer rectangles, draw a box with a fabric pencil 1" from the right hand side, 2 1/2" wide and 1 3/4" from the top and bottom to mark the window.
2) Roughly cut out the window leaving a seam allowance of 1/4" or more on the inside of the box. Cut diagonally in the corners to meet the drawn line. Press edges to back of fabric.
3) Pin the PVC to the back of the window (pinning where the PVC isn't visible as it leaves holes) and top stitch along the top edge only.
4) Fold the top (narrower edge) of the small rectangle of fabric over and over again with less than 1/4" fold, press and topstitch. Pin to the back of the window with fabric showing through (as in the image above) and aligned to the bottom of the outer panel so that the hemmed edge does not meet the top. Topstitch around the rest of the window to fix in place and create a pocket.
5) On the flap pieces, stack together (right sides facing) and draw a curve on the corners using a fabric pencil and a thread spool as a guide. Cut them off
6) Stitch 1/4" all the way round, leaving the edge opposite the curve free. Clip the curves. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch the edges.
7) Stitch a button hole close to the curve bottom big enough to fit your button through. Fold your back outer fabric in half widthways to find the centre and position the flap centrally, aligning raw edges. baste into place less than 1/4" from the top.
8) Using the flap and back piece as a guide, work out how far from the bottom you need your button to be positioned and stitch onto the front alongside the pocket.
9) With right sides together, sew around the bottom and sides of the outer panels and repeat with the lining panels, remembering to keep the top open. Clip corners off. Leave a small gap in the bottom of the lining for turning in the next step.
10) Turn outer fabric right side out and slide into lining pouch, aligning edges. Stitch around the top with a 1/4" seam being careful not to catch the top of the pocket. Turn out through the hole in the lining. Stitch lining hole shut and press. Top stitch the top edge if you feel like it!
Tell me if you make one :)