I saw this slim card wallet on Pinterest and like its simple design and decide to make one. If you also like this wallet and want to make yours, you can download this leather card wallet pattern.

Tools and Supplies 

• Scissor
• Awl
• Cutter
• Steel Ruler
• Edge Creaser
• Edge Beveler
• Diamond Chisel
• Cutting Board
• Stitching Horse
• Wood Slicker
• Sewing Needles
• Sewing Thread
• Polish Stick
• Sandpaper
• Glue
• Neatsfoot Oil
• Leather Finish (Gel)

First print out the pattern and make the leather template, cut a piece of leather which a little bigger than the template (this card wallet features 3 pockets, consider that when cutting leather).

Lay the cardboard template on the grain side of the leather, and use a awl to mark lines on it, here we need to mark 3 flaps.

Ready to cut.

For the straight lines, we can use ruler and cutter; and use scissor to cut the round corners. Please try to cut the leather pieces as prefect as possible, but no worry if not since we can amend that in after steps.

There is a general wallet shape after put the leather pieces together, 2 inner flaps and 1 outer.

Before glue them, we need prep the top edges of the flaps. First mark decorative lines in each flap with an edge creaser, the space is around 3mm to the edge.

Then use edge beveler to take off the edges both the grain side (smooth side) and flesh side (rough side).

If necessary, use a sandpaper (here I am use #300/#800) to polish the edges to a smooth status.

Then apply appropriate amount of leather finish gel on the edge with a cotton bud.

Polishing the edge repeatedly with an edge slicker till it is polished bright.

Next we are going to glue the leather pieces.

First mark points in the main cover in which going to glue the flaps, to avoid applying glue go beyond the glue areas.

Apply glue on the main cover and flesh side of the flaps, wait a little while and glue them, use a mallet to hammer the edges if necessary.

And now use edge creaser to mark stitching lines in the grain side of the leather, the space is 3.5mm to the edge.

Mark start and end points.

Punch stitching holes. Here use 4mm diamond chisel. Follow the groove and punch across, make sure the holes in same spacing. For the corners, use 1 or 2 teeth chisel, and 4/6 teeth for the straight.

Ready to sewing. We need 2 needles and sewing thread (0.8mm waxed thread, beige).

Usually the thread length is 4 times the sewing length.

First thread through the needle hole.

Pierce the thread twice.

2 needles connected to the same thread.

Fix the leather into the stitching horse, grain side on the right.

Pass the needle  through the 3rd hole from the left side.

Make sure the left/right threads are the same length.

Again use the left needle pass through from the 2nd hold.

Keep the left needle on the right needle.

Pass the right needle through in the same hole.

Sewing the 1st hole in the same way.

 

Keep the stitchings look like this.

The thread pass through from the left is under the thread from the right, follow this the order for a nice stitching.

Sewing back several stitchings at the end.

Make 2 needles at the flesh side, then cut and burn the thread.

Sewing finished.

Prep the grain side with Neatsfoot Oil which makes leather soft and pliable, also helps to darken the leather.

Rub some oil on the grain side with cotton swab or sponge.

Looks a little “dirty” right after rubbed, will better after the oil dry.

Ready to burnish edges.

Wet the edges a little and polish with a polishing stick.

Use the edge beveler to move edges that cocked during polishing.

Polish again and again with different grade sandpaper for the smooth edges.

Again, apply leather finish gel and polish to bright.

Fold it in the middle.

Finally, a nice, slim handmade card wallet. And one of the best part is that the vegetable tanned leather will age beautifully as usage.