Wallet Organizer

At one point I carried a small size spiral-bound calendar that I wanted to carry along with ‘wallet’ type stuff. Out of that need I created this tutorial for Craftster.org in late 2004.

The Pattern:

Pattern Page #1
Pattern Page #2
Pattern Page #3
Pattern Page #4
Pattern Page #5

• plus one piece of fabric or clear vinyl for your ID holder. size of ID plus seam allowance to top and bottom.
• plus pre-made or made by you double-fold binding (.5″ wide when folded double, 2″ wide when unfolded all the way)
• plus .5″ wide elastic, a little taller than your wallet.

Note: the right side pocket is slightly more narrow to accomodate the planner.

Putting it Together:

1. Cut Fabric. I usually use cotton quilting fabrics due to the variety of prints.
2. Right side pockets. Take the long left side pocket piece. Fold it accordian style to form a pocket. Where to fold is marked on the pattern and also a zig-zag looking drawing of how it will look from the side. Press folds.
   
3. Press interfacing onto back of folded pocket piece (interfacing is the same size as the pocket lining piece you have cut out).
4. Put pocket and pocket lining wrong sides together.
5. On the left long edge, place the binding right side down along the edge, matching edges. Unfold the binding and pin in place. Sew along the binding crease, 1/2″ from the edge.
   
6. Refold the binding so it encases the pocket and the lining. Sew near to the folded edge of the binding.
   
7. REPEAT FOR LEFT SIDE POCKET (left side pocket will have 3 pockets for cards plus ID holder)
8. Zipper Pocket. Use SewPixie zipper pocket tutorial to create a zipper pocket on the outside of your wallet (I put the zipper pocket on the same end where the card pockets are). OR use EmilyFlew’s pleated pocket idea for a more expanadable change pocket.
   
9. Interface the wallet lining. Place it and the outer wallet piece wrong sides together. Place the left pocket at the left edge of the wallet lining, the right pocket at the right edge. Baste in place.
10. Baste the ends of the elastic at the edge, lined up with the zipper. Check and make sure your elastic will hold your wallet closed snugly.
    
11. Repeat binding steps to bind the wallet together all around the edges. (I bound the top and bottom first, then the sides, folding the binding under at the ends on the short sides, then hand stitching the ends closed).
    
12. Enjoy!