Funky Leather Wallet (includes Pattern)

I've been using a wallet like this for a while but I made it too small for some UK notes and I wanted to be able to separate my cards so I set about updating the design and this is what I ended up with.

If you want to know why I've called it the "Funky" wallet, it's because the bill fold bit is twisted through 90 degrees, I find it really makes the wallet more user friendly. Over time, I'll probably continue to develop the wallet with some additional card slots or a coin pouch, but for now, this is it.

Step 1: What You Will Need

The pattern

• You can download the pattern in the next step

Materials,

• about 1 and 1/2 sq foot of leather, I've used some split veg tan that it pre-dyed, it's about 1.2 mm thick. It's really leather that's sold for prototyping as it was very low cost and for most applications I would go to a full grain, but I really like how this split feels for a wallet, especially as I'm still iterating the design.
• Thread - I used some 1 mm waxed nylon
• Contact adhesive to hold the leather in place while you stitch

Tools

• A sharp leather or craft knife for cutting out your pattern and leather
• Pricking iron or punch to make the stitching holes
• Hammer - to make the stitching holes
• Cutting Mat - to protect the table

Step 2: Get the Pattern

Download the pattern attached to this step.

To print the pattern, you'll need to set your printer to print single sided and not to resize

Check the dimensions of the box on the test page to make sure it's printed OK ( they should be 10cm ( 100mmm ) by 10cm ).

Once you have your pattern printed you are ready to cut it out, you can either cut it exactly to the lines and mark round it or cut it slightly too big, stick to the leather with masking tape and then cut through with a sharp knife along the lines.

Step 3: Cut Out the Leather

To cut out the pieces of leather, I use masking tape to stick the pattern to the leather and then cut with a very sharp craft knife.

Step 4: Glue the Pieces Together

Bill Fold Side ( Right Hand Side)

1. Take the back piece and turn it face down, then place bill fold piece 2 on the right hand side of the back piece and carefully mark where it comes up to.
2. Take Bill Fold Piece 2 and fold it in half lining up the 2 short edges
3. Place contact adhesive along the 2 short edges and 1 long edge of Bill Fold Piece 1 and Piece 2 and on the Back piece up to where we marked.
4. When the adhesive has gone off, press the folded Bill Fold Piece 1 onto the back piece and the Bill Fold Piece 2 on top of that, the adhesive strips should line up
5. When you are sure you have everything aligned press firmly and tap with a hammer

Credit Card Side ( Left Hand Side)

1. Measure in 15mm from the left hand side and make a mark, this is where the bottom card slot will fasten.
2. Glue around the edge of the card slot pieces and on the back piece where the card slots will attach. Add glue along the mark you added 15mm in from the left hand side.
3. When the glue has gone off a little apply the bottom card slot piece. You want the end of the card slot to glue to the thin line of adhesive you added 15 mm from the side
4. scrape off a little of the finish on the bottom card slot where the new slot will attach and apply some contact adhesive.
5. Once again, wait a few minutes and then stick on the second card slot piece.

At this stage you should round the corners using a small coin and a sharp craft knife.

You should start to see the wallet shape emerge as you are gluing up the leather.

Step 5: Punch Holes and Stitch

Run round the edges with your calliper or stitch groover so you know where to punch the stitching holes.

Punch your stitching holes, take care where the bill fold is as there will be additional leather thickness at that point. When you come to stitch past the fold in the bill fold, you want to follow round past the fold, you'll need to take care which holes you are going through but with care, you should be able to work round past the fold.

To do the "flap", you'll need to start at the fold where there is no stitching and then work out to the edge of the "flap".

Once you've done the bill fold side, you can move round to the card slot side. This side is just standard saddle stitch with no tricky bits to navigate.

To finish off the stitching I've pushed the needle out through the edge of the wallet, cut off the excess thread and then melted the end with a lighter.

Step 6: Finish

For my wallet, because of the type of leather, I haven't added any stain or finishing product, I've also left the edges with no bevelling or burnishing. Obviously, if you make this or something similar, you have the option to finish according to your taste.

Once you are happy, add your credit cards and money to the wallet.

I hope you like this "ible" and that it inspires you to have a go at your wallet