Uber band

Uber band is a soft, expandable money clip made from durable industrial elastic. It allows simple access to all your cards and cash, while keeping them tightly in place both in and out of your pocket.

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Materials & tools

Uber band is pretty easy to make. All you need is:

About a half foot of 2" wide industrial elastic
Thread color of your choice
A sewing machine (not pictured!)
A measuring tape or ruler
Fabric sheers
A little pair of sheers for cutting thread
1 Straight pin

108

Penolopy Bulnick says: Dec 6, 2012. 4:27 PM

Cool! Nice practical design :)

timwikander (author) in reply to Penolopy BulnickDec 6, 2012. 6:23 PM

Thanks! It had been too long since my last able.

108

Penolopy Bulnick in reply to timwikanderJan 16, 2013. 2:51 PM

Agreed :) You should enter this into the Holiday Gifts Contest!

RMH14621 says: Jan 16, 2013. 8:03 AM

Where do I get this Industrial Elastic?

USanityB says: Dec 10, 2012. 8:27 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh0UvrR8UM4

Helder4u says: Dec 9, 2012. 10:15 PM

U are worthy of the Nobel Prize for simplicity and usefulness!

timwikander (author) in reply to Helder4uDec 10, 2012. 9:09 AM

You are too kind haha. Looks like I'm not the only person who arrived at this design though, as whatcansixdoforyou pointed out below.

suayres says: Dec 9, 2012. 4:07 PM

You can give yourself extra fray-prevention backup by applying a substance known as "Fray Check". Basically, it's a fabric glue which, well, stops fabric from fraying.

jjmcgaffey in reply to suayresDec 10, 2012. 12:35 AM

Only thing is, I don't think Fray Chek stretches very well. It might crack and peel off the elastic. It's great for non-stretchy cloth, though.

timwikander (author) in reply to jjmcgaffeyDec 10, 2012. 9:08 AM

Good point. :]

paupi says: Dec 10, 2012. 3:03 AM

This does remind me of the "TGT wallets" (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jacksutter/tgt-tight-a-new-kind-of-wallet) that have just come out. Two people who have the same problem arrive to the same conclusion. Great instructable though.

paupi in reply to paupiDec 10, 2012. 3:04 AM

I just saw it had been mentioned further down. sorry

timwikander (author) in reply to paupiDec 10, 2012. 9:06 AM

It's funny, the reason I arrived at this form factor was because it allowed unique accessibility to every card simply by spreading them within the band. I checked out the TGT wallets yesterday for the first time and at no point is this feature advertised. I think they are missing a big feature of this design! For me it was about making a wallet that functioned as well in hand as it did in a pocket.

dollywild says: Dec 9, 2012. 8:42 PM

Nice! Useful, good looking, simple to make. Perfect! Thanks!

whatcansixdoforyou says: Dec 9, 2012. 12:35 PM

Nice instructable! Huge market for these based on the 317k raised in 30 days on Kickstarter... a little clever marketing goes a long way ;)
Here is the link > http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jacksutter/tgt-tight-a-new-kind-of-wallet?ref=users

timwikander (author) in reply to whatcansixdoforyouDec 9, 2012. 2:37 PM

Whoa! Didn't even know about that one! Thanks for sharing.

danzo321 says: Dec 9, 2012. 8:05 AM

Handsome, but how is this functionally better than the rubber band I use?

timwikander (author) in reply to danzo321Dec 9, 2012. 9:44 AM

Elastic is rubber covered by polyester. They both stretch but elastic is soft. This makes for a friendlier pocket material that won't snag against fabric, and allows cards to be inserted under the band much easier. This wide elastic is also more comfortable in the hand and far more durable than a rubber band. But if that's not enough added functionality, it is also handsome, as you mentioned. :]

devlogic says: Dec 7, 2012. 7:02 AM

Do you find that it works better with the edges end-to-end instead of overlapping (or have you tried it with the ends overlapping yet)? The issue of "how do you sew that with a machine" aside, I wonder if there'd be fewer opportunities for things to catch on the seam if it were flat-sewn.

timwikander (author) in reply to devlogicDec 7, 2012. 9:49 AM

I did sketch a few different construction methods, including an end-over-end version just to see the difference. The end-to-end method was the best choice in my opinion. It helps prevent fraying and results in a much cleaner, machined seam. The elastic really has a very tight grip; I haven't had any trouble with it catching on anything :).

devlogic in reply to timwikanderDec 7, 2012. 9:59 AM

that answers my question, thanks!

Crabby says: Dec 6, 2012. 4:50 PM

Quick, simple, and good instructions.

timwikander (author) in reply to CrabbyDec 6, 2012. 6:24 PM

Thanks Crabby!

219

jessyratfink says: Dec 6, 2012. 3:55 PM

Ohhhhh I like this one - much better for cash. :D

timwikander (author) in reply to jessyratfinkDec 6, 2012. 6:21 PM

Thanks! It's funny I just made mine yesterday and found out that you had made your version just a few days earlier. It was cool to see we arrived at similar techniques for construction.

ClayOgre says: Dec 6, 2012. 5:24 PM

So where does one get "industrial" elastic?

timwikander (author) in reply to ClayOgreDec 6, 2012. 6:18 PM

I found mine at the local fabric store. You can also fine it online at amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Stretchrite-2-Inch-10-Yard-Stretch-Elastic/dp/B0018N5MS8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354846409&sr=8-1&keywords=2+inch+elastic. The advantage of going to the store is that you can get it cut off the spool.