In todays free sewing tutorial from Sew Retro we show you how to make a storage wallet for your bank and travel cards that's both stylish and practical!
You will need;
30 cm x 35 cm of cotton fabric (I am using some leftover fabric from a previous project)
30 cm x 35 cm of lightweight fusible interfacing
Matching thread, pins, tape measure, safety pin, and scissors
Quick tips for beginners
Pinning the fabric for sewing; Place the two pieces of fabric together, with right sides facing (the correct side of the fabric) and pin the raw edges together.
1 cm seam allowance; this is the distance between the edge of the fabric and the stitch line. You will find a series of parallel lines engraved on the needle plate of your sewing machine pick the one marked with the measurement you need and keep the edge of the fabric to this guide:
1. Cut out your materials according to the diagram.
2. Cut out the fusible interfacing according to the diagram, and iron onto the wrong side of your fabric.
3. On the top of each of the wallet pockets, machine a 0.5 cm seam, or mark a 0.5 cm line with chalk.
4. Fold and iron this seam along the stitch or chalk line, then fold again. Repeat on the 3 remaining pieces of fabric.
5. With the foot of the sewing machine to the edge of the fabric stitch from one end to the other.
6. Repeat on the remaining 3 pockets.
7. With the RS (right side) of the lining facing up, place the 4 pockets into position, first place the larger two pockets, then lay the 2 smaller pockets on top. Pin all the layers together.
8. Using a 1cm seam allowance, stitch around the pockets and lining.
For a neat finish, when you reach the end of a seam at the corner, leave the needle in the fabric, lift up the foot, and pivot the fabric around, continue sewing, repeat on the remaining corners.
how to sew a card wallet by sew retro
9. Place the right side of the remaining piece of fabric to the right side of the pockets and lining. Pin together.
10. Mark a gap measuring 5cm in one of the long seams. Do not sew this gap; this will be used to turn the wallet inside out. Stitch the remaining seams.
11. Cut the corners as show in the image and trim the seam that has the pockets, to 0.5cm.
12. Turn the wallet inside out, and use a point turner, or a blunt knitting needle to gently smooth out the corners.
13. Fold the raw seam into place and iron.
14. With a hand sewing needle slip stitch the gap.
Slip Stitch.
Slip stitch, produces an almost invisible join between two pieces of fabric, and is used to close the gap between fabrics. Start inside the wallet, hide the knot inside the wallet. Bring the needle up 1mm from the edge of one side of the wallet, insert the needle in the other side, slip the needle through the fold and come out again 6mm to the left, repeat to the end.
Congratulations! You have made a unique card store wallet of your very own!
Interested in more sewing projects for beginners? Follow the tutorials on our blog or come along to our regular sewing classes to meet others and expand your skills.
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