Wallet Tutorial

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Here is a little tutorial to show how I make my quilted fabric wallets.  There are quite a few tutorials out there for little card cases or zipper pouch wallets, but I prefer the traditional “place for everything” wallet.  My wallet here has eight credit card slots, two pockets for bills/receipts, and a double-snap closure.

Start by gathering up the materials you’ll need.  Here are mine (well, most of them anyhow):

You will need the following:

• rotary cutter, mat, grid ruler
• scissors
• thread
• sewing machine
• 3-4 #14 Universal sewing machine needles.  I have broken as many as three needles while sewing a single wallet before, so trust me, and have plenty on hand.  No one likes to run to the fabric store for needles in the middle of a project.
• fasteners of some sort.  I use poly-resin snaps, and atatch them with a snap press, you can use snaps/snap pliers, sew on snaps, velcro, etc.

Here are the dimensions you will use when you cut your fabric pieces:

• fusible fleece, 7.75″x10.75″
• fusible interfacing (I use shirt tailor), 7.75″x10.75″
• pieced top, 8.5″x11.5″
• lining fabric, 8.5″x11.5″
• upper pocket fabric, 2 pieces, 8.5″x7″ each
• lower pocket fabric, 8.5″x19″

The first part you’ll need to assemble is the pieced top.  The finished dimensions of the piecing should be 8.5″x11.5″.

Next, you’ll iron the fusible fleece onto the wrong side of the piecing.

Then, use the machine to quilt the top.  I use a bit longer than usual stitch for the quilting.

Here is my finished top.

At this point, I atatch my label, and the stud part of the snaps.  Be sure to check which end to put which on if you have a directional print.  Now, your top is finished, so we’ll set it aside for a bit.

Here is my lining fabric, I fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the lining.

Now is a tricky step.  I’m going to construct my lower pocket, which will have six credit card slots.  Here, I am marking the back of the fabric with lines where my folds will be.  My markings go at the following intervals:  .75″, 1.75″, 1.75″, 2.25″, 1.75″, 2.25″, 1.75″ and 2.25″.

Now, I go to the ironing board and press the pocket into shape, using the lines I marked. (I didn’t cut the 19″ length for this, I’ll trim off the extra on the bottom later).

Next, I topstitch along the fold at the top of each pocket.

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Here is a pic showing the finished topstitching.

Next, I will sew a line of stitching along the center, from the bottom to the top.  This separates the credit card slots from one another.

At this point, you’ll baste the pockets you’ve just made onto the lining fabric, along the outside edges.

Here are my top pockets.  You can make this with two fabrics (as in the cutting directions), I just used one fabric for mine.  Put your fabrics right side together and sew along the 8.5″ edges, turn and press.

I topstitch along the edges of each side, then fold the bottom up to about .5″ lower than the top.

I add a row of stitching in the center to separate the card slots.

Now, you’ll place your top pockets, and sew along the bottom of the pockets to atatch them to the lining fabric.

Great job!  Here are my finished lining and top pieces.  I align them so the snaps are opposite the lower pocket and the label opposite the top of the lining.

Next, put your lining and top right-sides-together and carefully pin the edges.

I sew just outside the fleece, and leave a small opening for turning, shown here in the lower right corner.

I hope you can see the stitching better in the close-up view.

At this point I trim the corners, and take out any unnecesary bulk from the seams.

Next, turn your wallet right-side-out.

I really steam everything at this point, turning in the seam allowances at the gap so they’ll close properly when I do the topstitching.

Also, this is a good time to check the size of your credit card slots.  The cards should fit securely but not too tight.  I keep a stack of used-up gift cards and some play money in my sewing area just for this purpose.

Now, you’ll topstitch all around the edges of the wallet.  This is the hardest step because you’re sewing through MANY layers.  I just take a deep breath and go slowly and carefully.

From the inside, you can see the stitching, and check the fit of your credit card once more.

Now, I fold the wallet and press it well.

Here, I’ve sewn a line of stitching along each of the wallet’s folds.  The last step is to add the snap socket on the top flap.  Yeah!  A finished wallet!

  

Love your new wallet but need a purse beautiful enough to carry it?  My new pattern, the coming and going bag, is now available for purchase in my Etsy shop.