As promised, here is my tutorial for a folding card wallet, great for your business cards, or credit cards, and all those other cards that seem so essential to life! Apologies to metricated people, but because I use a quilting ruler for my measuring and cutting (and I highly recommend one for small sewing projects like this), it’s much easier for me to work in inches. Feedback is always appreciated (especially the nice kind).
You will need:
- 9 1/4″ x 5″ of outer fabric
- 9 1/4″ x 5″ of inner fabric
- 2 pieces of 2 3/8″ x 5″ inner fabric for small pocket
- 2 pieces of 4 7/8″ x 5″ inner fabric for other pocket/flap
- 2 pieces of 1 3/4″ x 5″ contrast fabric for pocket binding (or some 3/4″ bias binding if you prefer to use ready made)
- 2 pieces of 8 1/2 x 4 1/4″ piece medium iron-on interfacing (I use this cotton woven interfacing – I really like how natural the finish is).
- 2 pieces of 2″ x 5″ pieces of medium iron-on interfacing.
- 1 press stud/snap fastener
Step 1: Iron one of the large pieces of interfacing on to the wrong side (WS) of the outer fabric, positioning it in the centre of the fabric, with a 3/8″ border all round, like this:
Step 2: Iron the other large piece of interfacing on to the WS of the inner fabric in the same way.
Step 3: Making the binding for the pockets by pressing in half lengthways:
Then fold the edges into the middle and press again:
Then fold along the middle and press again:
Step 4: Repeat this process for the 2nd piece of pocket binding.
Step 5: Put the 2 smaller pocket pieces WS together and slip the binding over the longer edge:
Machine stitch into position, making sure your binding is all nicely lined up, or you risk your stitches missing the binding on the back. If you want to make absolutely sure of this, tack the binding into place before you machine.
Step 6: Repeat step 5 with the 2 larger pocket pieces:
Step 7: Position the pockets on the inner piece of fabric as shown in the picture, then zig zag down the sides to hold them in place (stitch lines indicated by red lines). Make sure you stitch close to the edge and use a very short stitch length and width – I set mine to 1.5mm for both.
Step 8: Measure a line 2″ from the bound edge of the large pocket (indicated below with a red line) & sew (with a straight stitch) across from side to side – this line of stitching will form the divide between the pocket and the wallet flap.
Step 9: Now you’re ready to sew the inner and outer together. Put the pieces right sides together and pin securely into place – if you are using a fabric with a pattern on the outside of the wallet, then make very sure that you have the fabric arranged so that your pattern will be the right way up on the flap!
Sew round edge with 3/8″ seam allowance (effectively around the edge of the interfacing), leaving a 2″ gap for turning (the red line on the photo shows what I mean). It is best to leave the turning gap at the flap end of the wallet – otherwise you end up with the bound pocket edges getting in the way.
Step 10: In order to strengthen the areas where you’re going to sew the press stud/snap fastener, iron one of the small pieces of interfacing on the WS of the outer fabric, 3/8″ from the edge, at the flap end of the wallet, as indicated here.
Step 11: Iron the other small piece of interfacing on the WS of the inner fabric, 3/8″ at the opposite end of the wallet (the small pocket end), as indicated here.
Step 12: At this stage I always turn the wallet through the turning hole to have a look before I trim the seams, just to make sure everything lines up and I haven’t made any major booboos. It’s so much more difficult to fix things once you’ve trimmed the seam allowance….
If you are happy with how it looks, turn the wallet back through, trim the seams to a scant 1/4″, and trim diagonally across the corners – being very careful not to cut through the stitching. Here’s the wallet all trimmed up and ready to go:
Step 13: After you’ve trimmed your seams, turn the wallet to the right side & press thoroughly, making sure you press the edges of the turning hole under. Then handstitch (I use a blind stitch or ladder stitch) to stitch the hole closed.
Step 14: Press briefly again, then top stitch round the edge of the wallet. Lengthen your stitch (I use a stitch length of 2.6mm) and make sure you have a nice sharp needle on your machine, and make sure that the outer fabric is uppermost in the machine.
Top stitching can be tricky, but take things slowly, especially when you’re going round the corners, and when you are sewing over the pocket edge bindings, where things get a bit bumpy, and you’ll be fine.
Step 15: Fold your wallet and press again, then decide where you want to have your press stud/snap fastener. I have sewn one in the middle, about 3/4″ down from the edge. Sew the press stud on firmly, making sure the top and bottom meet properly!
Now fill with business cards, fold, and admire!
I hope you like this tutorial – do please feel free to share it, and use it for whatever purpose (including for sale if you want to). If you do make one of these and would like to share a photo, then pop round to the Very Berry Makes group on Flickr and upload it there. I’d love to see other people’s versions.
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Just completed this tutorial and it’s the first time I’ve tried using fusible interfacing so it was an experiment to see how I got on. Fiddly but fun.
Have you thought about selling this as a kit with the pieces cut out from your lovely liberty fabrics? Just a thought
)
Glad to hear that it worked out ok…. I love fusible fleece – it’s great. What a good idea to make a kit – I hope you wont want a cut in the profits if I go ahead and put one together…
Absolutely not! ;o) x
wonderful tutorial! nice!
Thanks so much – glad you like the tutorial.
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I love this tutorial. I have made a similar check book holder. I love making quick and cute things I can use as gifts to friends. This will be one of them. Thanks you for sharing.
Thank you for a well written tutorial! I’ve now made 2 wallets using your tute with no problems whatsoever.
Thanks so much for such a lovely comment. Glad you like the pattern.
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Must remember to print this out tomorrow on the big computer, I need one of these.
Glad you like it Helen – it’s dead simple to make
This is perfect! My daughter has asked for a card holder and this is quite the nicest I have seen. Thank you – great tutorial. I love the fabric too!
Best card holder I have seen !! Thankyou
Christmas pressies Ahoy !
Thanks! What a great compliment
I am going to make a couple myself today, for swap gifts. They do make a good present!
Fabulous clear instructions, I will be making one for myself and probably many more as gifts for family and friends. Thank you very much.
Thanks so much for your kind words Jan. So glad you like my tutorial.
Hey there! I just made this tonight! Just need to do the top stitching…gotta get a new needle for that. I’m a new sewer and you’re pattern as great to follow! I haven’t attached the snap yet… I’m a little bit scared! Gonna look around and see what other tutorials you have! I’m sure I’ll do it again! Thanks so much!
Thanks so much Sara – glad you liked using the pattern. You’ll be fine with the snap!
I love this tutorial. (I love to learn new tricks.) I will have a go and make one as my girls would surely love one for their pretend play shop and checkout…
I always try thing out on them… 
Thank you for the great tutorial!
Looks like a really sweet, handy wallet. Can’t wait to make one.
Thanks for the turtorial.
Ila
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I love this! I am using one now for all my cards, My sister liked it so much she asked me to make one for her!
Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing. I had a small wallet similar to this which fell apart after years of use and I couldn’t find another in the store. I’m anxious to whip one of these up for my purse.
This looks great – now I want to make this and the lemon cake!
tutorial yang bagus sekali dan sangat bermanfa’at, terima kasih yaaa
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thanks for sharing this tutorial.. really easy to follow.. i’ve try it.. check it at my blog.. thanks again!
This is the nicest card wallet I’ve seen anywhere ever. And I should know. I just got my first business cards for my etsy shop and I’ve spent a good hour googling for the perfect business card wallet to put them in
I’m going to make myself one at the weekend and I’ll pop back with a picture for the flickr group. Thank you so much for sharing.
I love this! So simple, clean lines and no fuss. Great job, and thanks for the tutorial!
Thanks so much Angie – that’s what I was aiming for, so am very glad you think so!
That looks like a really neat and tidy little card keeper- hope to try this out soon!
Thank you Kerry, and thanks for popping round.
Muito precioso este tutorial! Obrigada!!! Lindo tecido!Obrigada pelo carinho de sua generosidade!
Thank you!
Fabulous, thank you! Just uploading my pictures to Flickr now. Mine’s not as neat as yours, but it’s going to be so useful, I decided not to worry about it
Thanks!
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What a great tutorial. Clear, concise and with extra lines drawn on and everything! Is there anything you can’t do?
)
Oh plenty
But extra lines I CAN do!
Great tutorial! The wallet fabrics are lovely!
Thanks Jill. I love these fabrics too – must remember to update the post with the fabric names.
What a lovely tutorial! I so need one of those and they would make great gifts too so will have a go soon and be sure to link back. Thanks for your comment about my little elephant too – really enjoyed the swap!
Thank you Shelley – really glad you enjoyed the fabric swap – hope to make it a regular thing.
I aspire to writing such clear tutorials. Thank you for this one. I would like to try and make one myself in the not too distant future.
Thank you – I think your tutorials are fabulous too!
Coo that must have taken you a lot of planning and time – thank you – it is a perfect blend of function and style!
Thanks George! It did take quite a lot of time, yes! But I am really pleased with the results… You should see the rejected prototypes!!!
What a lovely wallet and wonderful tutorial
))
Thank you for following us on Twitter.
Happy weekend
Thanks very much, very happy to be your follower on Twitter too – love your blog.
Love it! This is what I wanted to find for a long time! Thank you so much!
yum – gonna make one of these for my swap partner I think
or maybe I’ll have to make two and keep one heh heh heh … thank you for such a great tute.
Fabulous wallet and a very clear tutorial – thank you!
This is a great tutorial – very clear instructions that I understood completely in just a quick read through. Your fininshed wallet is so neat and I love the fabric you used. Thank you for sharing it!
Teresa x
Looks really handy, thanks for writing up the tutorial, love those fabrics too!