Make your own card holder wallet to keep just a few cards handy in your pocket, backpack or purse. Our free pattern is easy to make to hold your business cards, or be your credit card wallet. Make them for gifting gift cards!
Perfect for slipping in your license and a credit card so you don’t have to lug around everything.
This is a super easy and quick project, and is great for gifts, too!
In this article, I’ll show you how to make two versions of a card holder wallet, one with two pockets as well as one with three pockets. I’ll also show you how to add a snap closure, if you want one!
Here is our step-by-step tutorial:
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How to Make a Fold Over Card Holder Wallet
We'll start with the super simple fold over card holder wallet tutorial. Below you'll find instructions for making a three pocket version with a snap closure. This is a perfect sewing project for beginners.
Use up your fabric scraps and make several of these fold over card holder wallets to give as gifts! These little wallets make great gift card holders.
Materials
- Two (2) pieces of fabric 4-3/4 inches x 10-1/2 inches. They can either be the same fabric, or different fabrics.
- Coordinating or contrasting thread for sewing
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Pressing surface
- Corner turner, optional
Instructions
- Start by cutting out your fabric. I decided to make my card wallet in a single fabric. You can have some fun and do a coordinating print on the inside! I used a rotary cutter, quilter's ruler and mat to cut my fabric strip.
- With right sides together and raw edges lined up, starting in the middle of one of the sides, sew all around the edges, leaving an opening of about 2-inches so you can turn the wallet right side out.
- Here is a close up of the stitching around the fabric and the opening left to turn the wallet right side out.
- Clip the fabric in the corners at a diagonal. This makes for less bulk in the corners when the wallet is turned right side out.
- Turn the fabric right side out through the opening.
- Use a corner turner to get the corners nice and crisp. If you don't have a corner turner, gently use a crochet hook, knitting needle or any item with a point that isn't too sharp - you don't want to poke through the sewn corner. 🙁
- Here are the corners pushed out gently before pressing.
- Press the fabric, and carefully fold in the seam allowance at the opening so it is even with the stitched sides. Here is the piece pressed and ready for folding and finishing!
- From the long side, fold in each end toward the center about 2-3/8 inches. You can make the pockets shorter, or fold all of the way to the center. I prefer a small gap making it easy to get to the cards but keeping them secure. Clip your folds with quilter's clips, like Wonder Clips. I find them easier than trying to pin through all of the layers and keeping everything aligned.
- Next, go to your sewing machine and topstitch along both sides, securing the pockets in place, with a 1/8-inch seam allowance. Use the top stitch presser foot on your machine and move your needle to the right. You want to make sure you secure all of the layers and this will close the opening.
- Voila - a finished fold over card wallet. Super simple, easy and quick sewing project!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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OHOCO Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting - 17" x 24" Extra Large Felt Ironing Pad 1/2" Thick, 100% New Zealand Wool for Ironing, Sewing, Cutting on Ironing Board, Tabletop, Dryer, Countertop -
Panasonic 360º Freestyle Advanced Ceramic Cordless Iron, Pest Repeller v.57, Teal -
Dritz 3150 Bamboo Point Turner & Presser
How to Make a Three Pocket Fold Over Card Holder Wallet with Snap Closure
Take the card wallet to the next step with three pockets and add a snap closure! You can add a snap closure to the two pocket version above following these same directions.
First cut out your fabrics. For the third pocket, we’ll need two (2) pieces of fabric each 4-3/4 inches wide x 15-inches long.
Sew with right sides together and 1/4-inch seam allowance all around the outside edge, leaving about a 2-inch opening on one side.
Here is a close-up of the opening remaining on one side so that you can turn the fabric right side out.
Trim the fabric off of the corners at a diagonal. This reduces the bulk in the corners when you turn the fabric right side out.
Begin turning the fabric right side out through the opening. Use a corner turner to gently poke out the corners, making them nice and crisp.
Here the piece is all turned and ready for pressing.
Press the fabric, making sure that the seams are open and the corners all nice.
Topstitch all around the edges about 1/8-inch from the edge. This closes the opening securely. Use the topstitch foot on your machine and move your needle to the right. You can either use matching or contrasting thread – I decided to use orange thread!
Now we are ready to fold for the pockets. This time, fold down from one end about 2-3/8 inches for the top pocket. From the bottom, accordion fold so that you have two pockets that are about 2-3/8 inches deep. I forgot to take a picture of the folds before putting on the snaps. You want to figure out where to put the snap with it folded. This image shows the fold after snap placement.
Mark where you would like the snap with a fabric marker that is easily removed. I’m using a Frixion pen which erases with heat. Always test whatever marker you use on a scrap of fabric first to make sure it erases from your fabric. You can either sew on a snap or use a snap tool. I’m using a KamSnap tool and snaps. It is super easy to use.
You want to put the snaps on now before we do the final stitching. It’s much easier while the fabric is flat, instead of trying to get the tools inside the pockets.
With your fabric marker, mark where you’d like your snaps and apply according to the tool’s directions.
Here are the snaps in the fold over card wallet.
Refold the fabric forming the three pockets, making sure to align the edges.
Use quilts clips like Wonder Clips to clip all of the folds for the pockets in place.
Using your 1/4-inch foot, topstitch along both sides to hold the pockets in place.
Here is the topstitching in progress.
And, the fold over card wallet with three pockets is finished!
Snap it closed to sure your cards!
Find the cards you want to take along and slip them into the pockets of your new fold over card wallet.
Tips and ideas for making card holders
- This is a fun project to use up fabric scraps. Easy and great for beginner sewists.
- Make beautiful gift card holders with fabric prints or colors that the recipient will enjoy!
- You can use velcro loop tape instead of a snap to make a closure.
- Try different fabrics, like a faux leather or ultrasuede for a luxe look.
- These are so much fun to make. Once you make one, you’ll have lots of ideas for making more!
This bag is included in our Easy Bags to Sew article.
