In a world of clutter and complexity, finding beauty in simplicity is a breath of fresh air. Today, we’re excited to share with you how to make a minimalist card sleeve leather wallet. This timeless accessory combines functionality with elegance, making it the perfect project for both beginners and experienced leather crafters. Let’s dive in and discover the joy of crafting something truly remarkable.
You can purchase the template from here:
1. Gathering Your Materials
Before we embark on creating your new masterpiece, let’s gather the materials and tools that you’ll need. If you are creating this project from our PDF template, then you’ll need the following
- 3-4 oz vegetable tanned leather in the colour of your choice.
- Box knife or crafting knife to cut the leather
- Glue to glue the leather
- Wing divider to mark the stitching line
- Stitching chisels to punch out the holes. We are using 4mm wide stitching hole chisels
- Thread. We are using Ritza Tiger thread size 0.6
- Leather working harness needles. We are using John James Saddlers Harness needles.
- Sandpaper to sand the edges and make them smooth
- Edge beveler to round off the edges
- Optional: leather burnishing tool or canvas cloth to burnish and polish the edges for that extra finishing touch.
If you have purchased our kit, then you have everything you need in the box
- Pre-punched premium eco-friendly vegetable tanned leather from Swedish Tannery, Tärnsjö Garveri
- 2x John James Saddlers Harness needles
- Ritza Tiger thread 0.6mm thread for the project
2. Printing the template
Print out the template and make sure that you are printing the template with the scale set to 100% otherwise the wallet size will be wrong.
3. Cutting and Preparing the Leather
Cut the template and stick it to the leather using some masking tape. And using an exacto knife or box knife cut the leather carefully.
4. Stitching with Precision
In this section, we’ll delve into the art of saddle stitching. Learn the techniques to achieve durable and visually appealing seams, ensuring the longevity of your card sleeve wallet. Follow along as we guide you through each stitch, step by step, so you can achieve professional-level results. Pay close attention to how my left hand needle comes behind the right hand needle and how I loop the thread in my right hand.
5. Adding Personalized Touches
One of the joys of handmade creations is the ability to add unique personal touches. Discover how to emboss initials, create intricate patterns, or experiment with different dyeing techniques. These personalized details will transform your minimalist card sleeve leather wallet into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
6. Finishing and Care
With the construction complete, it’s time to add the finishing touches to your creation. When you glue the leather pieces, it is common that the leather pieces are not fully aligned. That is where the sandpaper comes in. Sand the edges until the edges are smooth and aligned. With an edge beveler round off the edges. Now you can just dab a wet sponge on the edge and use any hard cylindrical object like a pen to rub against the edge until it gets nice and smooth.
Congratulations! You’ve completed the journey of crafting your very own minimalist card sleeve leather wallet. Embrace the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with creating something with your own hands. Whether you keep it for yourself or gift it to a loved one, this wallet will serve as a symbol of your creativity and dedication. We hope you enjoyed this step-by-step guide and that it inspired you to explore further into the captivating world of leather crafting.
Remember, the possibilities are endless, and with each project, you’ll continue to refine your skills and unlock your true potential as a leather artisan. Happy crafting!