DIY Leather Wallet Tutorial

Ever wanted to sew a wallet? Need a gift for a guy in your life? Sewing this leather wallet is easy! Check out my easy tutorial!
Leather wallet tutorial

This simple leather wallet is great for the back pocket. Slim so it doesn't wear out pockets and easy to access money. You may omit the "money clip" elastic and store the money in the middle pocket if that suits your style.

Gather Supplies:

  • leather (I bought an old leather purse at a thrift shop)
  • clear vinyl
  • leather sewing machine needles
  • upholstry thread
  • 1/2" wide elastic to match your leather

 Sewing with leather can be scary but you may find it isn't as you thought! A few tips:

  1. Use the correct needle and thread
  2. Go slow
  3. Do not start right on the edge of your leather
  4. Use a scrap piece of leather to check your tension

Leather wallet 1

Cut leather:

  • 3" x 4.5" (cut 2)
  • 3" x 3.75" (cut 2)
  • 3" x 3" (cut 1)

Cut vinyl:

  • 3" x 3" (cut 1)

Leather wallet 2Cut a "window" out of one piece of 3' x 3.75" piece of leather. I use an exacto knife for precision.

Leather wallet 3Line the vinyl up behind the window and sew the top together. You may also use an appropriate glue if you'd rather to attach the vinyl to the leather.

Leather wallet 4Cut slits for the elastic. Line the elastic up near the top of the 3" x 3" piece of leather. Cut a slit about 1/4" inside the leather on each side. The slit should be just as wide as the leather.
Leather wallet 5Tuck the elastic into the leather as above.

Leather wallet 6Stack your wallet together. The window piece should be on top of one of the largest pieces. This will make one side of your wallet.

Leather wallet 7The elastic piece should go on top of the mid sized piece and then on top of the other largest piece. This will be the opposite side of the wallet.

Leather wallet 8Line your pieces up so the edges are straight. You can't use pins so I used binder clips. Sew the sides and bottom of the wallet. Do not sew the top! 

Leather wallet front and backYou're done! Now fill that wallet or give it as a gift! 

Have you worked with leather before? It's not as scary as you might think!

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