DIY Tutorial: Little Wallet

A wallet was given to me for Christmas this past year and it has gotten some heavy use. Thus an idea began to blossom. Perhaps I could make another?
It would make a wonderful gift for others as well, so I had to give it a go.

So I waited for a rainy day and the patterning began! After about 20 minutes I had a new wallet.
It was so simple I had to share it with you. Enjoy!

Step 1: Find fabric and cut out pattern. Cut one of each pattern piece in the lining and outer fabric.

The nice thing about this wallet is that it is easy to create a pattern specific to your needs. You can make this bigger or smaller as you please.

Here are the dimensions I used.

Pocket size

Smallest: 2 and 3/4 inches x 5 and 1/2 inches

Middle: 3 and 1/4 inches x 5 and 1/2 inches

Biggest: 3 and 3/4 inches x 5 and 1/2 inches

*all of these measurements include a 1/4 inch seam allowance for the top of the pocket*

Back

6 3/4 inches tall

4 3/4 inches wide at the narrowest point

Step 2: Making the pockets. With right sides together, sew the straight edge (shown here at the bottom of the photo) at a 1/4 inch seam.

Sew each of the 3 pockets in the same fashion.

Step 3: Press.

At this point you should have 3 pockets and the two pieces that will make the back of the wallet.

Step 4: Stack the pockets. Smallest on the top and the largest on bottom.

Step 5: Place the pockets, right sides together, on the outside pattern piece.

Step 6: Place the lining piece on top (right side face down).

Step 7: Pin. Make sure you leave the space between the double pins open (so that you can flip the wallet right side out).

Step 8: Sew.

Step 9: Trim seam allowance.

Step 10: Turn inside out.

Ah, that's better.

And now the big finish! Stitch the hole closed. A nice slip stitch will do nicely.

There now, a finished wallet. What a pleasant thing!

Another color? Sure! This wallet was made from one of the lambskin hides (previously available on our website.) Being such a soft supple leather, I added a button to the front to help hold the flap down. I also neglected to put in a lining (which called for a few pattern alterations), though now I think the leather could have benefited from a little stiffness provided in the lining. Still, it's an adorable wallet and I consider it a success.

I hope you are inspired! Run off and experiment! It is often the most important part of the process.

Marah

Made By A Fabricista: Falling for Knits

We are now well into Fall, even though the temps are still relatively warm here in Texas. I love the fall season and dressing for Fall. When it comes to the conversation of knits vs. wovens I typically sew mostly wovens. So for this post I decided to sew completely knits! With the holiday season right around the corner I saw these three dress styles as perfect for Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving gatherings. The first look is a tried and true pattern Simplicity S9372. Using this gorgeous burgundy ponte knit , I like how this pattern fits throughout. I chose this color to add to my typically neutral palette in my closet. I also wanted something I could wear to my sorority meetings and found this color perfect. It's an easy sew with back fisheye darts and invisible zipper to add to the tapered style. The neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding giving it a clean finish on the inside. I used a universal needle to sew a...

Made By A Fabricista: The Art of the Slow Make: My La Forme Double-Breasted Jacket

I started this project back in July — one of those mid-summer sewing plans meant to get me ahead for fall. My idea was simple: start my wardrobe a season (or two) early so that when cooler weather came, I’d already have a few handmade pieces ready to wear. That was the plan, anyway. But as sewing often reminds us, plans evolve. This jacket, made using La Forme pattern No. 0303, is a double-breasted design with peak lapels and an exaggerated hip detail that gives it such a striking silhouette. I fell in love with the structure of the pattern right away — it has that timeless, tailored feel I can never resist — but it also asked for patience. I picked it up and put it down several times over the months, letting it rest while I worked on other projects, until finally, the timing felt right to bring it to life. And now, here we are — the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and some parts of the country are even seeing snow. My summer-started jacket is finally finished, and it c...

Made By A Fabricista: Closing 2025 with a Lined Jacket

Hello again, sewing friends! It seems we have arrived yet again in the grandest season for layering, all this oncoming cold weather. I like ending the year with something warm and very useful. Seems based on my past Fabricista posts, I love to sew year-end outerwear, and this round is no different! I challenged myself with a new lined coat (wait, jacket? Coat? I feel like the presence of wool changes things?). Anyhoo, since the lovely Chalk & Notch Den Jacket has been in my queue, I proceeded ahead. I like the large pockets, the option to line or not, and the extra bodice and sleeve seams for topstitching. Sewing this coat is not at all difficult, but the many pieces and loads of topstitching will take a bit of time. My version took me a few multiple-hour sessions to complete. I sewed a size 2, which matches my measurements, and I made no alterations. Hint: for a quick size test, just employ the lining pieces. Gorgeous, muted blue as a soft wool flannel ? This is ...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog