DIY Cloth Wallet

I do not like to carry a big purse when I go out into town. They have always made me feel weighted down and clumsy, so I tend to just grab my debit card, shove it in my pocket and then out the door I go. The problem with this is that a debit / credit card is so light weight that I forget it is in my pocket and wash it, or accidently drop it out of my pocket. I made this wallet as a way to not only carry what I need, but to give it a little added bulk. Here is how I made this DIY cloth wallet.

How to make a DIY Cloth Wallet

Materials:

• 2 Different types of cotton quilting fabric (one for lining, one for outer wallet)
• Medium weight fusible interfacing ( I used Pellon Decor Bond Style 809)
• All purpose thread to match your fabric ( I used white so you can see it in the video)
• Sewing machine set on a straight stitch (I used a size 18 needle for this #1 because it was already in my machine, #2 because this was quite a thick project)
• Scissors and/or a rotary cutter and self healing mat
• An iron
• A fabric marker or chalk
• A ruler
• Stick pins or clips
• Optional- a heavy duty snap and snap attaching kit

Instructions:

1. Cut your fabric as follows:
   1. 2 pieces for the insert (cut from lining material) sized- 8 1/2 inches by 5 inches
   2. 1 piece for the exterior- cut to 12 inches by 5 inches
   3. 1 piece of the lining fabric cut to 12 inches by 5 inches
   4. 2 pieces of fusible interfacing cut to 12 inches by 5 inches
2. Following the manufacturers instructions, iron on your fusible interfacing to the wrong sides of the exterior and the lining pieces (the 12 inch by 5 inch pieces) The interfacing I used has a shiny and a dull side. The shiny side is the “glue”.
3. Once the interfacing is ironed on, match them up, right side to right side and sew them together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave an opening of 2-3 inches down one side for turning right side out.
4. Take your scissors and trim the excess fabric from your corners, careful not to nip the stitching.
5. Using a chopstick or blunt stick, turn your fabric right side out and press it with the iron. Make sure to fold in the flaps at the opening and iron them in place. You will be sewing this shut when you do the final top stitch.
6. Now, take your 2 pieces for the insert ( the ones that are 8 1/2 inches by 5 inches). Face them right side to right side and sew around the perimeter using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave and opening down one side for turning right side out.
7. Once sewn, trim the corners and turn right side out using your chop stick. Fold the flaps to the opening inward and iron.
8. Using your iron, press both your insert and your outer shell at the half mark. Take your ruler and on the outer shell, measure 2 inches from each end and mark it with your chalk. Fold the ends inward on those marks and iron them.
9. Take your insert and measure 1 1/2 inches from each end. Fold on those marks and fold the flap inward. Press with the iron to hold it in place.
10. Line up your insert inside your outer shell at the middles. Your middle line of your insert should lay in the inner middle line of your shell. Once they are matched, clip or pin them together to hold them. The insert will lay inside the flaps of the shell.
11. With the wallet laying open but with the flaps all in place, sew the perimeter close to the edge but include all layers. Once you have sewn this top stitch, you should have a functioning card wallet.

Optional:

This step isn’t necessary, however it does keep everything nice and snug. Take the top part of your snap and attach it inside the top flap of your outer shell using the kit that came with your snaps. Make sure to measure the middle of the flap and match it up on the other end. Then attach the bottom part of the snap in the same way. Be careful of your placement thought. If you are doing it inside the pocket, be sure to place the snap in a way that your tiny anvil will fit in the pocket.

Creative Ideas

1. Don’t need this much space in your wallet? Use the measurements for the insert (8 1/2 x 5 inches), cut 2 pieces of interfacing the same size. Follow the steps above for adding the interfacing, sewing the perimeter and flipping right side out. Then measure 1 1/2 inches from each end, fold and iron, then sew the top stitch. This will give you a minimalist wallet.
2. For a adding to a keychain, just add a folded piece of ribbon (cut side in) into the opening in the side of your wallet before sewing it shut. Add a keychain ring or a hook and you are set.
3. Add a longer ribbon or piece of fabric sewn into a strap big enough to go around your wrist for a wristlet. Just add it the same way as he keychain ribbon by inserting it into the opening.

This really is a simple wallet with a world of possibilities. Once you start making them, you wont be able to stop. The great news is they can be made for anyone, including little kids since they can fold their dollars and slip them in the slots.