How to Make a Passport Wallet

How to Make a Passport Wallet

A while ago I created a large passport wallet that fit all of my necessities.  I still use it when I go abroad but some of my readers were looking for a wallet that was a little smaller so I thought it was about time to create one.  I still wanted something more than just a passport holder so I added some pockets to this small wallet. This wallet is a fairly simple project but does require that you carefully follow the steps. There is nothing complicated about each step so just go one by one and you should be fine.  You will love this little passport wallet when you are finished.  

I chose a cute floral patterned fabric that I purchased at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores where you can buy online or in the store but you could go to Hobby Lobby or Fabric.com to get exactly what you need.  I was fortunate to get this fabric on sale and with a coupon so I have been using it for a lot of different projects.  The floral fabric was offset with a yellow contrasting fabric that I really like as well.  Other than a zipper, magnetic snap, and some interfacing, fabric and a bit of time is all you need for this project. This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

If you would like a video tutorial of this project head over to YouTube and check out my video.  While you are there subscribe to my free YouTube channel.  

 

What you will Need:  How to Make a Passport Wallet

How to Make a Passport Wallet
What you will Need Wallet

Step 1: Cut your Fabrics

Cut your fabrics as follows:

  • 8 1/2″ x 6 1/2″  main fabric for the outside of the wallet, inner fabric for lining, and Pellon 808
  • 2 Pieces of accent fabric that measure 4″ x 6 1/2″ for left side slip pocket and 1 piece of Pellon 808 that measures 4″ x 6 1/2″
  • 1 Piece of main fabric that measure 5″ x 4″ for the credit card pocket
  • 1 piece of accent fabric that measures 6″ x 4″, 7″ x 4″ and 8″ x 4″ for the credit card pockets
  • 2 Pieces of main fabric that measures 4″ x 6 1/2″ for zipper pocket
  • 1 Piece of accent fabric and Pellon 808 that measures 6″ x 6″ for the inside of the zipper pocket
  • 2 Pattern pieces from main fabric and Pellon 808
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Cut Fabrics

Step 2: Create your credit card pockets

Fuse the Pellon 808 to the wrong side of the 4″ x 6 1/2″ piece of accent fabric.  Lay it right sides up on your work surface. Take each of the credit card pocket pieces and fold them in half and press.  Top stitch along the fold. Layer the credit card pieces in descending order on top of each other ending with the main fabric piece. Starting with the longest piece place it on the 4″ x 6 1/2″ piece.  Measure down 1 3/4″ from the folded edge and sew a line across the piece.  Layer the next sized piece on top of that and again measure down 1 3/4″ and stitch.  Repeat for the third and fourth pocket pieces as shown.  

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Layer pocket piece
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Layer all Pocket Pieces

Step 3: Add the Back of the Credit Card Piece

Place the second 4″ x 6 1/2″ accent fabric piece right sides together with the credit card pieces and stitch along the right side using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Fold back the accent piece and press.  Trim the seam allowance.  Top stitch along the edge.  Set aside.

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Place the pocket piece right sides together
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Turn right sides out and press

Step 4: Create your zipper pocket

Place your 4″ x 6 1/2″ piece of main fabric right side up on your work table.  Fuse your Pellon 808 to the wrong side of the 6″ x 6″ piece of accent fabric that will be the inside of the zipper pocket.  Place the fused 6″ x 6″ piece right sides together with the main fabric so that the raw edges along the 6 1/2″ side line up as shown.  Pin in place.  Measure down 1 1/2″ and draw a rectangle that measures 5″ x 3/8″ and is centered.  Stitch around the rectangle through all layers. 

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Create the zipper opening

Step 5: Create your zipper opening

Draw a line lengthwise through the box in the center. Draw a line from each corner to the center line that measures about 1/2″.  Cut the line in the center just to the 1/2″ lines from the corners and then cut the corner lines as shown.  Push the fused accent fabric through the hole you have just created and press well.  

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Cut open the slit

Step 6: Add your zipper

Place your zipper right side up in the hole and pin or use zipper tape.  Sew the zipper in place all the way around the opening using a zipper foot. You will notice that your zipper is longer than your hole.  This is fine.  The excess zipper will be cut off.  Turn the piece to the wrong side and fold up fused accent piece so that the top raw edges meet.  Sew the sides using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  This is the pocket.  Trim off any excess zipper that remains.  

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Add the zipper
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Turn up the pocket

Step 7: Finish the zipper pocket

Place the other 4″ x 6 1/2″ piece of main fabric right sides together with the Zipper pocket and stitch along the top of the pocket.  Fold under the main fabric piece, trim the seam allowance and press well.  Top stitch along the seam.  You have now completed both sides of your passport wallet.  

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Place the pocket piece right sides together with the zipper pocket
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Turn right sides out and press

Step 8: Add the sides of the wallet

Take the credit card pocket piece and lay it on the left side of the 8 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ accent piece and clip using wonder clips. Baste the credit card piece to the the accent fabric along the long side. Place the zipper pocket to the other side of the accent fabric and baste along the long side. 

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Place the pockets on the lining piece

Step 9: Create the closure

Fuse the Pellon to one of the pattern pieces following the manufacturers instructions.  Add 1/2 of your magnetic snap to this piece.  Simply cut two slits for the prongs to fit through as shown.  Place the grommet on the prongs and close the bend the prongs down to secure.  Place the pieces right sides together and stitch using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  leaving the bottom open for turning.  Turn right sides out and press well. 

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Add snap
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Create the closure

Step 10: Finish the wallet

Fuse the Pellon to the 8 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ piece of outer fabric following the manufacturers instructions.  Measure  1 3/4″ from the left side and center to add the other 1/2 of the magnetic snap.  Place the pocket fabric piece right side up on your work surface. Lay the closure piece on the right side of the pocket pieces in the center matching up the raw edges and making sure that the magnetic snap is facing down. Place the outer piece right sides together with the pocket piece.Stitch all the way around using a 1/4″ seam allowance leaving an opening along the left edge for turning. Turn the wallet right side out through the opening.  Top stitch all the way around the wallet closing the opening along the way.  Press.  You have now finished your passport wallet.  

How to Make a Passport Wallet
Add the other half of the snap
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Add the closure to the pockets
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Place the outer piece right sides together
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Turn rides sides out
How to Make a Passport Wallet
Open wallet

I hope you enjoyed this project.  If you would like more sewing and crafting projects sign up for our newsletter and receive your free eBook of 15 handbag patterns and tutorials. 

 

If you would like a larger passport wallet check out my other passport wallet tutorial.  

 

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