How to Make an Accordion Wallet

I love little coin purses and wallets that I can make myself.  This accordion wallet is perfect for a few coins, some bills and some credit cards.  It has a double snap for security and ease of use.  This is a really fun little project to make.  There are a few steps to this project but if you follow them one by one it is a pretty simple project to sew.  I am still going to put it in the confident beginner to intermediate range though. This little accordion wallet is a great way to improve on your bag and wallet making skills.  So how is it done?

First I chose some nice cotton fabrics for my accordion wallet that I purchased at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores but you could head to Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com or onlinefabricstore.net to get exactly what you need for this project.  This post contains affiliate links.  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.  

What you will Need: How to Make an Accordion Wallet 

• Pattern You can get by clicking on this link
• 1/2 yd outer fabric
• 1/2 yd lining fabric
• 1/4 yd Fusible fleece like Pellon TP971F
• 2 Kam Snaps

Step 1: Cut your Fabrics

Using the pattern piece cut one each of the fusible fleece.  

Cut the following:

• Outer and lining
  • 10″ x 6 3/4″
  • 4 3/4″ x 7 3/4″
  • 4 3/4″ x 3 3/8″

Step 2: fuse the fleece

Fuse the large oval onto the large outer fabric rectangle following the manufacturer’s instructions.  Fuse the corresponding fleece pieces to the long outer fabric rectangle and the small outer fabric rectangle again following the manufacturer’s instructions.  

Step 3: stitch the flap

Place the small outer piece and lining piece right sides together.  Stitch around the edge of the fleece on the fabric following the contours but leaving the bottom open.   Trim around the edge and clip the curves.  Turn right sides out and press.  Top stitch around the sides and top.

 

Step 4: add the flap to the outer piece

Fold the large rectangle in half to find the center and mark.  Do the same for the flap.  Place the flap you just created on the mark and centered. Pin,  Place the corresponding lining piece right sides together on top of the flap and outer fabric so that the flap is sandwiched inside. Stitch around the fleece edge leaving an opening at the bottom for turning.  Trim the edges leaving a 3/8″ seam allowance.  Clip the curves.  Turn right sides out and press. Topstitch all the way around the oval making sure to close the opening in the bottom as you go.  

Step 5: Stitch the accordion piece

Place the final piece right sides together with the corresponding lining piece.  Stitch around the fleece as before leaving an opening on one of the sides for turning.  Trim the top and clip the corners and curves. Turn right sides out and press.  Topstitch all the way around making sure the close the opening as you go.  

Step 6: Add the kam snaps

Measure down 3/8″ from the top of the flap in the center and mark.  Measure 3/8″ from the top of the accordion piece and mark in the center.  Place the Kam snaps.  Make sure the button part of the snap is on the outer fabric on both pieces.  Use the male part of the snap for the other side of the button.  Move to the oval piece and measure down 3/8″ from the center and mark.  From that mark measure another 1″ and make another mark.  Place the other half of the Kam snaps on these two marks with the button part on the lining side of the oval.  If you are unfamiliar with how to install Kam snaps check out the below video.  

 

Step 7: Mark your lining

Fold the oval in half lengthwise to find the center and draw a line across the center of the lining using a Frixion heat erasable pen or some tailor’s chalk.  Measure up from the bottom of the accordion piece 2 3/4″ and draw a line on the lining.  

Step 8: add the accordion piece

Place the accordion piece so that the line on the piece lines up with the line on the oval.  Stitch across the line to attach the accordion piece to the oval.  

Step 9: mark additional lines

Fold up the bottom of the accordion piece and pin.  Measure 1 1/2″ on each side of the Kam snaps on the oval and mark.  Measure another 1 1/2″ on either side of the center line of the oval on each side and mark.  

Step 10: Finish the accordion wallet

Fold the top of the oval in toward the center along the accordion piece and clip. Using the Marks above the center line pinch the oval around the accordion piece on both sides and clip.  Repeat for the marks below the center line.  Pinch the final two marks at the very bottom of the oval and clip.  Stitch along each of the creases that you have created to secure.  Fold the accordion wallet so that first flap snaps into the. top snap and the main flap snaps into the bottom snap and you are finished with your accordion wallet.  

 

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