Glucose Meter Case AND Wallet

It's all to easy to forget my glucose meter when I leave the house, or misplace it altogether. By creating a system to house my glucose meter supplies, my credit cards and IDs, AND my smart phone if need be, I have drastically reduced the number of times I lose my supplies! Stylish and practical, I'm very proud of this project! I hope you enjoy it too.

For other projects similar to this, please visit my blog: Diabetic Hacker

• 3 coordinating fabrics. I've used fat quarters and there is PLENTY of fabric. It really doesn't take much!
• Old Jeans (you can use interface, but I've found that jeans give it a really nice weight and durable feel)
• 9" zipper
• Bias tape (size and # of folds aren't super important)
• Magnetic Purse Snap
• Sheet Protectors (there are lots of options here. You can get the actual transparent material supplies from craft stores, I just tried to use what I had at hand. I've also used zippered sandwich bags - however that doesn't hold up quite as well)
• Meter case that came with meter (not pictured)
• Lace (Optional)
• A supervisor is always helpful to keep you on track and judge you when you don't iron your fabric

A Few Notes:

• Unless stated otherwise, I use a 1/4" seam
• IRONING IS YOUR FRIEND - it will make a world of difference in how professional your clutch turns out. Iron your fabric often, and then again.

• Outside of case: 9" x 12" (I would actually make this 9" x 14" if I was to do this again) of outside fabric and jeans
• Card Pockets: 9" x 12" (I would actually make this 9" x 14" if I was to do this again) of cash side fabric
• Pockets: 9" x 8 1/2" meter-side fabric (cut 2); 9" x 4 1/4" jeans (height mislabeled in this picture, use 4 1/4, not 4 1/2) (cut 2).
• Cash Side Background: 9" x 12" (I would actually make this 9" x 14" if I was to do this again) of cash side fabric and jeans
• Meter case side: 9" x 8 3/4" of meter side fabric and jeans

There are two pockets, one will be zippered for things like coins, the other side will be an open pocket for things such as cash and checks. Let's start with the zippered side.

• Take one of the pockets you cut in step one (both the fabric and the jeans) and the zipper. First, place the zipper along the top edge of the fabric, teeth facing towards the end of the fabric. Fold the fabric in half length-wise, RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER (sandwiching the zipper). Place over the jeans (they should be the same size) and pin
• Take a moment to evaluate you have all the items properly aligned. It is a good idea to have your supervisor check it out for you too.
• Trim the outer edges (including the zipper tail - although be sure the zipper pull is not cut off in this step!).
• Now let's do the other pocket. Fold the fabric right sides together and place on top of jeans. Pin and sew.
• Turn both pockets right side out and iron

• Take the card pocket fabric and hem top and bottom (the narrow edges of the rectangle)
• This is one of those steps I kind of "winged it' on, but this is how I should have done it. Pin or mark the fabric at the following measurements: 1/2" from the top, 2 1/2" from top, 4 1/2" from top, 5" from top, 7" from top, 9 1/2" from top, so something like the diagram above.
• Now we can fold at these points in an accordion style to make the card slots - blow by blow: Fold 2 1/2" pins to the 1/2" pins (pin this fold), Next, fold the 7" to the 5" markers and pin. You should see something like the 4th (?) picture above.
• Ok, if you've made it to this point, it's all downhill from here, I promise! We're going to attach this to the pocket from step 2 that does not have the zipper. Pin it 1/2" down from the top of the pocket
• Sew down the sides, bottom and down the middle.

• Measure and mark a 9" x 3 1/2" rectangle from the sheet protector. I like to use the edge/corners so that it's actually a double layer.
• Cut it out!
• Sew bias tape down the middle
• (Optional) Place lace along the top
• Sew bias tape along the top to make it finished
• Put windows over zippered pocket and stitch down the center and along the bottom. I used the edge of the page protector along the bottom, so it's already "finished", just need to stitch along the bottom.

• Let's start with the zipper. Align the other side of the zipper (the one that's not sewed to the pocket) to the top edge of the right side of the cash side fabric. Place over jeans (first image)
• Place right side of meter side fabric and jeans to the right side of the cash side along the zipper (the window pockets should be sandwiched). Stitch along the zipper edge. (second image)
• Open it up and it looks like the third image!
• Now let's attach that other pocket. Place it parallel to the windowed pockets in the opposite direction. It doesn't quite touch the window pocket. Stitch the bottom
• Fold the meter side over the cash side (it should fold along the zipper with right sides together). Mark the bottom of the window pockets with pins
• Stitch from the zipper to the pins on both sides. Turn inside out. You now have a zippered pocket!

Above the Cash Pocket is the top flap. We put the male clasp here. Follow installation instructions on clasp package (install through both the fabric and jeans layers)

• Pin the right sides together of the outside fabric and the cash/meter side - the zippered pocket just kind of is sandwiched in the middle for now.
• Now stitch around 3 of the edges, leaving the bottom (non-zippered edge of meter side). Turn inside out and top stitch the top flap (the flap with the male magnetic clasp)

At this point, hopefully you can fold the billfold together and see where the female clasp should go. Install according to the instructions (again, remember to go through the fabric AND the jeans)

Not going to lie to you here, there are much better ways to finish off your clutch - but I can be lazy sometimes and this seemed the easiest way. Fold in the unfinished edges in and stitch along that top.

Mostly, it was just a question of gutting the case and either stitching the elastic or gluing the rubber meter holder (again, probably could've done this a more sophisticated way, but super glue has worked superbly and so easy).

• First, with a seam ripper, pull the elastic and rubber meter holder from the case
• Now attach the new components to the meter side in whatever arrangement you like! I hand stitched the elastics and glued the holder, but I'm sure you can figure out whatever you need to do.
• You can be done here if you want but of course, after all this effort you may want to ...

There is a nice canvas on the back of the wallet to decorate however you want. Embroidery is always fun. For this case, I was feeling pretty "Wonderful" and decided to roll with it. I intend to stitch the inside lines of the W, as well as add a small star in the front... but it's fully functional and I hope I've given you everything you need to make your own!