Hello Sewing Friends! I have a new tutorial to share with you today. Let's make a Zipper Card Wallet! This cute little card pouch features a pocket on the outside and 4 pockets on the inside all zipped up with a zipper that turns the corner.

The design of this wallet has really been an evolution. I started out making a little card pouch I could use as a simple gift card holder to giveaway to my favorite Grads. I made a few different versions that I posted on Instagram before I settled on this one. I've made one before using this style to hold an ipod. Then I stumbled upon the Threads Clover wallet and I decided to change the direction of the pockets on the inside.

As you can see, I changed the pocket a little each time I made it. I finally settled on a pocket that doesn't extend to the bottom seam, which is how this tutorial is written but feel free to improvise and change things up a little. That's the best part of sewing your own things anyway!
Also, I sewed a couple of these using #5 zippers and they made the final product more solid looking but the larger zipper did make it slightly trickier to sew. If you are more of a beginner, stick with the smaller #3 zipper for your first time sewing it.

One more thing, this version is sewn up with a seam that leaves a raw edge that needs to be covered with binding. So that is one more step to think about before tackling this project. It's not too tricky though. I have lots of pictures to show you how to do it.

Zipper Card Wallet Tutorial
This tutorial is suited for a confident beginner who has made a some zipper pouches and is ready to try sewing a zipper on a curve. You can make one in an afternoon as there aren't too many steps to it. This little Zipper card wallet also pairs perfectly with my Simple Lanyard Tutorial or Wristlet Key Fob tutorial.
Ready? Let's go!
Supplies
- You'll need less than a fat quarter of cotton fabric total. Feel free to use scraps for this project.
- a 5" X 8" piece of medium weight fusible interfacing such as Pellon 931TD or Pellon SF101
- 12" zipper (size #3 is easiest)
- Small split ring (key ring)- I used one from a pack like this Assorted Findings from Walmart
- Zipper Card Wallet Pattern - Download and print!
Cutting
- Cut 2 mirrored pieces using the Zipper Card Wallet template for the Exterior
- Cut 2 mirrored pieces using the Zipper Card Wallet template for the Lining
- Cut 2 mirrored pieces using the template from the interfacing
- Cut 1 rectangle 3 1/4" x 6" for the exterior pocket (or use the Pocket template)
- Cut 4 rectangles 3 1/4" x 6" for the interior pockets (or use the Pocket template)
- Cut 1 square 2" x 2" using for the split ring tab (or use the Split Ring template)
- Cut 1 strip 1 1/2" x 10" for the inside binding

Zipper Card Wallet Sewing Instructions
Make the Split Ring Tab
1. Take the split ring piece and fold two sides toward the center about 1/2" and press. Fold it in half again matching the folded edges. Topstitch along each side about 1/8" away from the edge.

2. Thread the tab through the split ring and fold it in half. Baste the ends together and set aside.

Prepare the Exterior
3. Take the interfacing and fuse it to the wrong side and in the center of each exterior piece according to the manufacturers instructions.

4. Take the Exterior pocket piece and fold it in half with right sides together, matching the short ends. Stitch along short end with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

5. Turn the pocket right side out through the opening in the side. Push out the seam and press it flat. Topstitch along the seam about 1/8" inch away from the edge.

6. Place the pocket piece on the right side of one exterior piece about 1 1/2" away from the top edge. Make sure stitched side of the pocket is at the top.

7. Baste the sides of the pocket and topstitch the bottom of the pocket about 1/8" away bottom edge. Baste the Split ring tab just above the top edge of the pocket under the corner that is a right angle

Make the Lining
8. Fold the interior pocket pieces in half with wrong sides together and press to form a crease. Topstitch about 1/8" away from the folded edge. Repeat for all 4 interior pockets.

9. Place 1 pocket on each lining piece 1 1/4" away from the top edge. Baste the bottom of the pocket to the lining about 1/8" away from the raw edge.

10. Place the last 2 pockets on top of the first 2, lining up the bottom edge of the pocket with the bottom edge of each Lining piece. Baste around the sides and bottom.

Sew in the Zipper
11. Using a ruler, make an even mark on each side of the zipper.

12. Open the zipper and fold the zipper tape at the mark, turn the end of the zipper to the side so the teeth meet the fold at a right angle making a little pleat in the zipper tape. Baste the ends in place by stitching with the machine or by hand.

13. Place one end of the zipper, teeth facing down, on the right side of the Exterior piece, starting 3/8" away from the top 'right angle' corner. Line up the raw edge of the fabric with the edge of the zipper tape. You can hold the zipper in place with pins, a glue stick, or zipper tape.

14. Continue to shape the zipper around the curve cutting slits into the zipper tape every 1/4" or so to help it lay flat. I usually make about 4 cuts

15. Repeat for the other exterior piece and the other end of the zipper. Make sure the zipper tape is not twisted and so it will still be able to zip up evenly.

16. Using a zipper foot, baste the zipper tape in place. Stop at about 1 1/2 inches away from the center seam, opening the folded edge as far as you can. (basting may not be necessary if the glue or zipper tape is holding it in place well enough). Trim the ends of the zipper that hang past the seam allowance.

17. Place the lining piece over the exterior piece sandwiching the zipper inside. Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end.

18. Cut notches from each curved corner to help it lay flat after turning.

19. Turn the pieces right side out, push out the corners and pull out the zipper until the seam lays flat. Press with an iron if desired. Topstitch next to the zipper about 1/8" from the seam line.

20. Zip up the zipper part way leaving a generous opening at the top. Turn the zipper card wallet lining side out with the exterior sides facing each other. Sew the side and the bottom with an 1/4" seam allowance. Trim the extra zipper tap that extends past the edge.

21. Notch the exterior curves as in step 18. Place the binding strip along the raw egde letting at least 1/2" hang over on each side. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

22. Fold the raw edge of the binding under and wrap the binding around the raw edge of the card holder. For the corners, fold the short end of the binding around the seam. Then fold the binding down twice to fully enclose the corner.

23. Use binding clips to hold the binding in place. Don't worry about any puckering that occurs at the corners.

24. Stitch the binding in place, backstitching at the beginning and ending. Don't worry about any puckering that occurs at the curved corner.

And you are done!! Great job!

If you make a Zipper Card Pouch I'd love to see it! Leave a comment, send an email, or tag me on Instagram or Facebook @bluesusanmakes
Happy Sewing!