Super-Thin Wallet - Pockets for Credit Cards and Coins!

My daughter wanted a flat wallet that she could carry in her back pocket. It had to have two pockets for credit cards, a place for dollars and a place for loose change. (she also wanted it to have a zipper, but I had to draw the line at that. :-)

The finished wallet is 4"x3" and barely thicker than a money clip. It even has a little window for your ID card.

For this instructable I used lightweight cotton, but you will probably want something a little bit tougher.

:-)

Cut two rectangles, 8.5" x 5.5" You can use a half of a letter-sized sheet of paper for the measurements. (here, ORANGE is the lining)

Cut 8.5" of elastic.

Fold over and sew a .25" hem along one long side of each piece.

Fold over and sew a .25" hem along one short side of each piece. Be sure to do the opposite ends of each piece.

Cut out a 3" x 2" rectangle from the outside fabric. Be sure to leave about a ½” allowance from the raw (unhemmed) edge.

Cut a 3.5" x 2.5" rectangle from clear plastic.

Sew the plastic to the wrong side of the fabric. A zig zag stitch might be better than the straight stitch I used here.

Piece right sides together, matching up the hemmed edges.

Sew around the opposite two sides, as shown.

Turn right-side out and iron seams flat

Rotate, so that the open sides are at the bottom and left

Measure 2.25" up from the bottom and fold up.

Iron the fold to mark it. Be careful not to melt the plastic ID window. :-)

Open up the piece, and Fold in half in the opposite direction and iron.

Open up the piece again. Now you should have two creases that intersect.

Sew across the crease long ways

Sew up the middle crease. (for a longer coin/change pocket, don't sew all the way -- only sew to the center seam)

Refold the bottom up.

Optional: Pin a broad piece of elastic inside the fold on the right side. Another option would be to use velcro for the closure.

Sew the right side of the wallet, thru all of the layers.

Sew up the left side -- BE CAREFUL TO ONLY SEW THRU THREE LAYERS OF FABRIC. Otherwise you will sew the coin pocket closed. :-o

Optional: Top stitch the top edge for a more finished look.

How to use the compartments –

Credit cards go in the front two pockets (I put my Starbucks card in the windowed compartment.)

Bills go in the big pocket behind the credit cards

Coins go in the long pocket behind the bills. The coins are secured when the wallet is folded and the elastic is wrapped around.