I ride the bus.

I ride the bus. Not enough to warrant a bus pass though. I only ride it in the morning. The most economical way to do this is with bus tokens. It is also the best way because you give me cash and I magically transform it into Diet Dr Pepper. Basically, tokens are the only safe way to go for me.

A pack of UTA tokens come in, what I consider to be, a cute paper envelope. I like to keep my tokens in that envelope cause otherwise I lose them. Paper and 2 weeks mushed in a purse add up to a not cute envelope so I first thought of covering it in packing tape so it would last longer. It does in fact last longer but because of the interior being uncoated, it doesn't last much longer. Faced with a monthly ordeal of trying to line up packing tape exactly straight because I am a little OCD and it must be straight, I have found another solution. Clear Vinyl. Just so happens I have some and the many pins of people sewing paper on Pintrest gave me the courage to attempt it. So here it is. Fairly simple and probably a prototype because there are things I would like to change, The Token Pouch!

First carefully open the envelope so it is a flat sheet.

Next place the flat envelope in a folded over piece of clear vinyl.

The next step it to sew the edge. The vinyl kind of sticks together so you shouldn't need pins. I used transparent thread which was difficult to work with and I think white would have been a better choice. Start sewing on the folded edge cause I didn't and I had to cut that fold later because it was making weird puckered sections.

Once the edges are sewn and the excess vinyl cut off, you refold the envelope along the paper seams. Since my sewing machine couldn't get into the envelope as I would need to sew along the same line that the glue was on, I put the inside edges together to sew the seam. I then folded the seam down before sewing the bottom seam.

I had to just sew across the bottom of the envelope to close the bottom. I tried to do it discreetly by sewing along the bottom graphic and then making faux mitered corners. It didn't line up right on the back so next time I will cut the bottom edge that folds over smaller so when I sew across the bottom it doesn't have a double seam.

I used sticky back velcro dots for the closure. I would have liked to cut the dot smaller but by the time I realized it, the sticky back of the velcro had become the vinyl. Seriously sticks like crazy so no repositioning possible.

With the velcro in place I was done. Permanent Token Pouch. Took about 10 minutes and though my need for perfection will cause me to make a new one, I think this one is for sure on the right track.