I made a toolroll/wallet

Tyvek is super cool. Like too many things in my life this project started with spending too much time on the internet. The Paper wallet purchased from an Instagram ad is made from Tyvek. Tyvek is the stuff they use to wrap houses before they put the siding up. It works as a vapor barrier and is very thin and tear resistant. It‘s also used in mailers! So, I already have a wallet made out of this stuff, but it only holds my cards. This got me thinking that I could make a tool roll for the other stuff in my pockets. I typically think about making something for months before I get the gumption to start.

The best way for me to get to sleep is to design projects in my head while drifting off. It‘s one of the only things I can do in bed that will keep my mind focused enough to prevent the default stress thoughts at bay. When I get too tired its like my mind wanders only to bad thoughts. Luckily in this case I remembered what I designed the next day. Then while watching someone else make something on YouTube I remembered that I can also make stuff and it makes me happy. Thanks Laura Kampf! If you like watching someone joyfully create things her channel is great!

Comparing the above sketch and this initial prototype connects reality to my imagination. It feels so good to think use my brain to create something. Nothing is as satisfying as bringing something from my thoughts to the real world. Even when something doesn’t come out perfect nothing brings me more satisfaction than following a thought to an object. You should have seen how excited I was when I realized the pants I ordered from Marine Layer came in a tyvek mailer. I was embarrassingly more excited for the envelope than the actual pants. The pants are great don’t get me wrong but look at the colors on the prototype that I sewed!

I kinda think the prototype looks better than the finished product but I won’t think about that too long.

Working through the design process

I know what is in my pockets.

I always have a little notebook in my pocket and a pocket pen. I just recently added a knife and that really threw off the pocket vibes. I don’t like pocket clips because they get in the way so my knife was a little too free Floating.

I decided I had two real requirements. I wanted a place to hold my knife my notebook and pen and my cards. The knife was the hardest challenge. When thinking of how to hold the notebook I got major flashbacks to elemtary school when we had to use brown paper bags to make book covers at the beginning of every year. I always wanted the fancy ones that other kids had and remember finally getting one. Honestly the hype was overrated the paper bag was better. So I made a little pocket to hold the back cover of my notebook. That would hold it in place and I would be able to write in it without taking it out. Clean and easy.

Keeping it flat

The major design consideration when making a tool roll is how tall the tool is. My brain never remembers that tools have depth. My knife is the thickest thing in my pocket so I had to find a way to sew it with the back flat in order for it to sit nicely in my pocket. My first attempt I had the knife placed while I sewed it and there was not enough space under the foot. My sewing machine punched several holes in the fabric because of the lack of space. Luckily I learned my lesson on the test scrap of fabric.

From Prototype to Final thing

Once I had worked through most of the problems on a first attempt, I decided to go for it for real. I wanted all the colors of the package and I decided to use the prefabricated edge of the mailer so the design changed again. That turned the wallet from a Z shape into an M or a W depending on how you look at it. Once I added another section another issue arose. It’s really hard to keep a W folded. That’s when I decided to add magnets!

You can't tell from the picture but there are a row of magnets in the new fourth section. I learned that super glue and magnets really like to stick together. There are a few extra magnets than I initially planned because I forgot that magnets like to stick to every magnet around them not just the ones I want them too.

There are now four sections, and I have space for an additional pen or lockpick or whatever will fit. I can also put my keys or a flashlight in the new pocket but that stops everything from folding right.

I’m moderately happy with the final product. It holds everything in place and looks kinda cool. I still need a solution to my keys but them floating around is working for now. It’s been in my pocket for the week and It’s looking real used, but I like it when things look used. The magnets hold the knife in the right spot, and I have space for a second pocket pen without adding any bulk. I think I have several ways to improve this if I made another one but It‘s working for now and that‘s one of my favorite feelings.

Sometimes it's enough just to make something even if it's not perfect. Sometimes it ok to write a rambling blog about it too.