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. 

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!)

 This wallet is only two pieces, hooray!

Cut out a 6x8 inch piece, and one 2.5x8 inch piece.

 Fold the 6x8 piece in half lengthwise, right sides touching. Crease down the middle with your fingernails so that it stays.

Then, at the edges opposite the fold, fold over a 1/4 inch strip of the right side onto the wrong side and crease again. You'll do this for both edges. 

For the 2.5x8 inch strip, you're simply creasing a 1/4 inch strip of the right side on the wrong side at top and bottom. :)

(The pictures should clear up any confusion!)

 The first thing you want to do is sew all your 1/4 inch "hems" down. 

Use the longest straight stitch on your machine and don't worry about backstitching these - we'll be sewing over them again later!

Sew them with the wrong side up. It's easier and it'll help you make sure you're getting the folded over bit in the stitches. :D

(TIps for sewing oilcloth can be found here: sewmamasew.com/blog2/)

 Place the 2.5 inch piece along the crease you made in the center of the wallet. Line up the bottom of the 2.5 inch piece with the crease and tape down the sides so it stays in place. 

Stitch right side up a little lower than your original line of stitching. 

 Measure on the wrong side. Mark the exact middle of the wallet all the way down.

Sew this starting on the single layer side without the credit card pockets so that you seal the top of the credit card pocket as you sew. :)

Make sure to backstitch!

 Crease the wallet again, right sides together. Tape the top sides of the wallet together to keep them from moving about. 

Then, take your ruler and mark 1/2 inch in on both sides. (If you carry A LOT of cash and cards, make 1/4 inch marks for extra room.)

Sew from the fold to the top of the wallet, making sure to backstitch! :D

 Cut very close to the sewn line and be as neat as you can. :)

Now, turn the wallet right side out, using something small and rounded to poke the corners out. I'm using a crochet hook. Be gentle when poking out the corners, you can poke right through the oilcloth!

 The longer you use it, the flatter and more manageable it'll become. It'll start staying closed on its own and the cards will be easier to get in and out. :D