tgif quickie (sat. edition) :: business card wallet

Lately I've been doing a craft show almost every weekend. It's at the point where I don't even unpack anymore--I just leave it for the next go-around. I really like meeting new artists and seeing what they've been up to. I'm constantly collecting business cards and giving them out. This week's tutorial is perfect for anyone who does the same. No more fishing around in the bottom of your purse or shuffling through your stack of other people's cards looking for one of your own. It's super easy--so easy that I didn't even have to take pics of the sewing instructions. Hallelujah.

Get it:

• Piece of felt cut into a 2.5 x 12" strip. I prefer wool because the poly stuff sticks to my hands and just feels icky. I get mine here.
• sticky velcro dots
• Decorative buttons or thread for cute stitchin'
• your sewing machine
• that's it
• no, really, that's it

Do it:

• Fold strip of wool felt in half, iron a crease down the middle
• Fold 2" from each end towards the middle and crease with the iron. These are your little pockets. Pin 'em if you like. Note: if you are using polyfelt, do NOT iron squat. Just mark them with a pencil or chalk. You will melt the felt, ruin your iron and want to pull your hair out.
• If you want to embroider something on the cover, now's the time. An initial, perhaps? A loopy running stitch up the side?
• Starting at one corner, sew a small seam (1/8" if possible) all around the edge, doubling back over your pocket edges to make them stronger.
• Attach sticky dot velcro on one pocket near the edge of your card holder, about 1/2" in. To align it nicely with the other velcro half, peel off the second half, stick the velcro side on the first half and gently close the wallet to stick the adhesive side to the felt in the right spot. Sweet.
• Attach buttons, felt cut-outs or other bits of cuteness to the outside.

Each side of the wallet will hold 12-15 cards. If you want it to hold more, increase your felt strip width to 2.75". The velcro dot packaging says for "smooth surfaces only" and "not for fabric"--fiddlesticks. It works just fine on felt. Just don't try to rip open the wallet at light speed. I like to keep my cards in one pocket and put my cool new friends' cards in the other pocket. These would make nice little graduation gifts with some custom-printed cards tucked inside...or perfect for someone who just got a new job and can finally move out of their parents' basement. Party on, Garth. Party on, Wayne.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Comments

[Melissa H]

so cute. I would totally make one except that I have 2 speckled hen b-card holders to use already ;)

[Missy]

LOVE this project and I'm pretty smitten with your banner too! I know I owe you some emails! SOon! I promise! Can't wait til baz biz!

[Amy]

These are super-cute! But I'd still rather have you make mine for me! That's okay, right?