Sew a simple oilcloth wallet!

Sew a simple oilcloth wallet!
 This is a really easy project - it should take less than an hour for even beginning sewers!

This is a bi-fold wallet that will hold cash and up to six cards. :D

It can be made out of oilcloth, old coated tablecloths, pet food bags, etc. 
 
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Step 1What you'll need...

What you\
I would highly recommend a sewing machine - sewing oilcloth by hand is time consuming and painful in my experience. Lots of sore fingertips!
  • sewing machine
  • denim needle
  • oilcloth (a 12x12 inch square will be enough, you need very little!)
  • thread that matches, can be cotton or poly
  • ruler
  • cutting tools (I use a mat and rotary cutter because the edges come out cleaner)
  • tape for securing while sewing (can't pin oilcloth!)
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26 comments
Jul 25, 2011. 6:02 AMwendyknit says:
I'm coming really late to this project, but it's a great instructable. I make my own oilcloth out of a fabric with Iron on Vinyl. That way you can make a wallet, coin purse and handbag all match. And if you are very Vera, you can make clothes to match as well..
Oct 14, 2011. 7:40 AMajones38 says:
What an awesome way to diy oilcloth... got to try that
Aug 24, 2011. 1:12 PMWhyHello says:
Bandana Walet plz?
May 23, 2010. 3:37 PMvegfolkchick says:
 Does anyone have suggestions as to where I can buy or find some oilcloth? I have no idea! Thanks

Jul 11, 2011. 7:25 PMcatiehade says:
You might be able to find some oilcloth place mats @ your local goodwill/ thriftstore
Jun 9, 2010. 5:30 PMrealgenius65 says:
I have been making great market bags out of all kinds of animal food bags. They sew up rather nicely and hold up real well if you bind the inside bottom seams w/old scrap fabric. "so, thats where those old raggedy sleep pants got off to..." said the hubby upon checking out the inside of a bag!
Apr 12, 2010. 9:19 AMrealgenius65 says:
Very, very nice Miss Jessy!!!!!! Now I know what to do w/the oil cloth I bought in Albuquequer 2 years ago. Been mulling over it cause I've only got 1yd!
Apr 12, 2010. 6:48 AMampRiser says:
This is really good!
Your instuctables are alwayz good! very detailed!!
I am working on a wallet that matches a guitar amplifier?



CIMG3907.JPGCIMG3902.JPG
Feb 9, 2010. 8:55 PMKryptonite says:
Brilliant!
Because I've always got too much change in my wallet I'd have to add a bit for change if I were to make one.

You astound me with your sewing skills time after time!
Feb 9, 2010. 11:32 PMKryptonite says:
Fair enough, I was planning on customizing your wallet for my needs, should go well if I get the time!
Feb 10, 2010. 9:30 AMGoodhart says:
I used to carry change in my wallet too, but I thew out SOOO many wallets due to the change pouch wearing out, that I simply carry a "change purse" now.....no, not one of those feminine things, one like illustrated - they spit in the middle, cost MUCH less, and so are easy and inexpensive to replace.  :-)    A win all around ! 

 
256ChangePurse.jpg
Feb 13, 2010. 1:15 PMRaNDoMLeiGH says:
You can still buy those?! Wow. My grandpa used to have one, and I haven't seen them for ages.
Feb 13, 2010. 1:55 PMGoodhart says:
Well, the ones I remember from way back look like the picture below, and you can still get THEM too :-)  If you like the plastic ones over the leather ones, they are sold here too...
 
pinwheelcoinpurse.jpg
Feb 10, 2010. 8:47 PMKryptonite says:
Very nice. I plan on making a sticky tape wallet this afternoon, so far it's going alright.
Feb 10, 2010. 4:18 PMSunbanks says:
That turned out really awesome :D I might just have to make one! 
Feb 10, 2010. 9:21 AMGoodhart says:
|Hmm, this gives me a good reason to ask my wife to clean off the sewing machine again,  I just hope I have the correct needle for this....
 
Feb 10, 2010. 6:28 AMT3h_Muffinator says:
Awesome!
It looks like a fancy - sewn - duct tape wallet with a pattern you can't find on any roll of duct tape.  Oil cloth is like duct tape minus the sticky!
Feb 9, 2010. 6:17 PMDoctor What says:
 If Nic Cage ever saw this, he would approve.
Feb 9, 2010. 8:54 PMKryptonite says:
I tried to find his email adress but all I found was his address from 2007.
Feb 9, 2010. 6:26 PMbumpus says:
I'm loving the strawberries!
:D

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Author:jessyratfink(Making Jiggy.)
I enjoy cats, my fantastic boyfriend, sewing, cooking, books, learning, and making. I've had my work featured on Jezebel, BoingBoing, Gizmodo, LifeHacker, ohdeeoh, CRAFT, and in Theme and Adbusters ...
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