Experimenting with Closures

Attaching button to back of padfolio

I've just about wrapped things up with the five padfolios. Four of them are in the process of having magnets or velcro applied to secure their flaps. This one cried out for something different. The stitching at the center of the flower was a bit ragged but even if it hadn't been, that center still wanted a button over it. I spent a lot of time thinking through how I could attach it and the elastic cord all as one and pondering if it was a good idea to do this on the back of the padfolio.

Pocket folded back for access

I knew if I was going to do this, I'd have to do it before satin stitching the pockets in place. But in my eagerness to assembly-line glue baste all pockets in one session, I forgot. Luckily, I was able to peel back one edge of this pocket to gain access to the spot where the elastic would come through. Some knotting under the button after sizing up the length of cord needed held things in place on the outside so that I could knot the ends on the inside. The button is not as flush to the padfolio as I would have liked, but it works.

It does make a bit of a bump under the notepad, but I am hoping this won't be an issue for the user. Here is the back after all the satin stitching has been done and the elastic has been stretched around to hold it closed.

And here it is from the front. I'm surprised at how much I like this now compared to when I was just looking at the printed fabric. Even so, I won't be repeating this design.