Introduction: Tapestry Wallet
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About: Hello! I love sharing my passion for making useful things from refuse! If you like my stuff follow me on Instructables!
This light-weight wallet is made from a single tapestry (drapery) swatch pulled from a 1980s textile sampler. Durable despite its size, it features an ID window and two small pockets that fit standard-sized credit and business cards.
If you get frustrated or don't have time to make own on your own I have some for sale on my website: www.unexpired.org
If you get frustrated or don't have time to make own on your own I have some for sale on my website: www.unexpired.org
Step 1: Materials
These wallets only require a small piece of fabric and create extremely little waste, so it is the perfect project for that lovely little scrap you have been holding on to! In my case I used tapestry swatches from an old sampler.
12.5"X12.5" Piece of Non-stretch Fabric
Iron/Ironing Board
Spray Starch
Ruler/Measuring Tape
Needle and Thread
12.5"X12.5" Piece of Non-stretch Fabric
Iron/Ironing Board
Spray Starch
Ruler/Measuring Tape
Needle and Thread
Step 2: Measure and Cut Material
In this step you will be measuring and cutting your wallet pieces out. This is an extremely efficient use of material, but that means any slip-up and you need to start from scratch, so be careful!
1. Cut the main wallet piece (12.5" X 8.25").
2. Using plenty of starch, iron the edges in about 1/8" on both pieces as shown in the pictures attached to this step (it is easiest if you do this now, before cutting the separate pocket pieces in the next step).
3. Cut the remaining pocket piece (12.5" X 4.25") into three pieces: 4" x 4.25", 4" x 4.25", and 4.5" x 4.25".
1. Cut the main wallet piece (12.5" X 8.25").
2. Using plenty of starch, iron the edges in about 1/8" on both pieces as shown in the pictures attached to this step (it is easiest if you do this now, before cutting the separate pocket pieces in the next step).
3. Cut the remaining pocket piece (12.5" X 4.25") into three pieces: 4" x 4.25", 4" x 4.25", and 4.5" x 4.25".
Step 3: Precision-Iron!
For these steps be prepared to use your starch in a heavy-handed fashion, wherever the instructions say "iron" it is implied that you should also add starch. Without starch your wallet will turn out bubbly and crooked.
1. Iron the near-middle of the main wallet piece so that one side is 6" from the fold and the other is 5.5" from the fold as pictured.
2. Fold and iron the the main wallet piece again so that edges meet in the middle, leaving about 1/8" gap.
3. Measure your wallet. It should be about 3" X 7.75".
4. Fold and iron the two pocket pieces (4" x 4.25") so that they are 1.5" tall. Make sure the flap you want point to the bottom on the backside of the pocket overlaps the flap that will be sticking up on the backside of the pocket so that your cards won't get caught on it.
5. Fold and iron the outer edges of your ID window making it (3.5" X 2.25")
6. Mark and cut an "X" on the inside, leaving a width of about .5" for for the window.
7. Fold and iron the triangular flaps so you can see the backsides from the front and leaving an even width around the window.
8. Trim the excess material along the outer edges of the window.
9. Double-check your measurements.
1. Iron the near-middle of the main wallet piece so that one side is 6" from the fold and the other is 5.5" from the fold as pictured.
2. Fold and iron the the main wallet piece again so that edges meet in the middle, leaving about 1/8" gap.
3. Measure your wallet. It should be about 3" X 7.75".
4. Fold and iron the two pocket pieces (4" x 4.25") so that they are 1.5" tall. Make sure the flap you want point to the bottom on the backside of the pocket overlaps the flap that will be sticking up on the backside of the pocket so that your cards won't get caught on it.
5. Fold and iron the outer edges of your ID window making it (3.5" X 2.25")
6. Mark and cut an "X" on the inside, leaving a width of about .5" for for the window.
7. Fold and iron the triangular flaps so you can see the backsides from the front and leaving an even width around the window.
8. Trim the excess material along the outer edges of the window.
9. Double-check your measurements.
Step 4: Sewing the Wallet
In this step you will carefully sew the front pockets, ID card window, and the sides of the wallet together.
1. Lay out the pieces of the wallet with the window and pockets each on either side of the fold (notice that there is not much wiggle room around the edges of the pockets and window)
2. Unfold the layers of the main wallet piece.
3. Star sewing at the top outer edge of the window down to secure it, followed by the bottom section. Stop at the centerfold where your window will remain open and go back and sew the top part. (Sewing in this way helps ensure the pocket stays straight.)
4. Sew uppermost (bottom-layer) pocket on the other side of the fold starting from the outside working into the center.
5. Repeat step four with the top-layer pocket, making sure to keep it aligned with the bottom pocket as you sew.
6. Carefully sew up the sides of the wallet at the very edge, making sure the needle goes through all layers and that the inner and outer sides of the wallet are lined up.
1. Lay out the pieces of the wallet with the window and pockets each on either side of the fold (notice that there is not much wiggle room around the edges of the pockets and window)
2. Unfold the layers of the main wallet piece.
3. Star sewing at the top outer edge of the window down to secure it, followed by the bottom section. Stop at the centerfold where your window will remain open and go back and sew the top part. (Sewing in this way helps ensure the pocket stays straight.)
4. Sew uppermost (bottom-layer) pocket on the other side of the fold starting from the outside working into the center.
5. Repeat step four with the top-layer pocket, making sure to keep it aligned with the bottom pocket as you sew.
6. Carefully sew up the sides of the wallet at the very edge, making sure the needle goes through all layers and that the inner and outer sides of the wallet are lined up.
Step 5: Iron and Enjoy!
If your wallet didn't turn out as flat as you like you can always go back over it with the iron and some starch to give it the shape you want. These wallets are pretty durable, mine continues to hold up in its original shape after over a year and a half of hard use!