#wanelo

So I should start by stating I have an LG Stylo 2. I created all the patterns myself. I will go through how I got measurements as well as suggestions for getting your own. You will need 4 main patterns: driver’s license pocket, basic card pocket, cash pocket, and the wallet lining/front. A side note, I do not like how I did the pockets; in the end the material was too thick and thinking back now I would’ve approached it differently. I’ll continue to explain how I did it, but also provide an alternative (method 1 & method 2 respectively). Also I apologize in advance for my use of customary. I try to use metrics, but I was with my grandma when I did this and she has no clue how to use metrics.

Materials: ~1 yard of material (Includes everything. I don’t have an exact because I used scrap material.) ~4 ½ inch Zipper Ribbon or some sort of fastening device (button snap etc.) 2 ½ inch by 3 ½ inch sturdy piece of sewable, clear plastic A cheap gel/silicon phone case (I got mine for $2 on ebay) Velcro Bias Tape (Only if you pick method 2 for pockets)

Optional: Interfacing

Wallet Lining/Front Dimensions: 

Measure the height and width of your phone. Equations for finding approximate width and height:

Lining Width (inches) = 3 + 2 * (phone width in inches)

The width accounts for about a ½ inch seams. I had scarce material so I encourage you to extend the width. I originally did 8 inches and that was not enough and ended up making adjustments later so don’t be afraid to make it wider, you can cut off extra later!

If your phone has a height less than 6 ¼ inches, skip calculating the height and use 7.75 inches. If you’re phone is significantly shorter than 6 ¼ inches, I recommend also cutting out interfacing or something to stiffen the wallet. Lining Height (inches) = (phone height in inches) + 2*(¼in) + 2*(½ in)

Leave ¼ inch of material above and below the phone. There is a about a ½ inch above and below for seams.

Cut x1 piece this size for the front and x1 piece for the inner lining. If you have a really small phone I recommend also cutting interfacing this size.

Cash Pocket Dimensions:

Cut x2 (x1 is for lining) Width = 3 ⅞ inches (accounts for ⅜ inch seam and ½ inch seam) Height = (Lining Height) + 1 ½ inches (accounts for ½ inch seams)

Driver’s License Pocket Dimensions: 

Whatever method you pick here follow it all the way through!! I recommend reading the whole tutorial before deciding.

Method 1: This way is going to be easier (what I originally did), but if you have bulkier material I recommend method 2. Cut x1 Width = 7 inches (accounts for ½ inch seams) Height = 4 ½ inches (accounts for a ⅜ inch hems)

Method 2: This was will take a tad bit more work. If you’re a perfectionist, or just have bulky material, I recommend this way. Cut x2 Width = 3 ¼ inches (¼ inch seams) Height = 4 ⅜ inches (accounts for a ⅜ inch hem and ¼ seam)

Basic Card Pocket Dimensions:

If you’re not sure how many pockets you need, read the tutorial up to the part where the pockets are being put together. If you understand how they’re put together it makes this a LOT easier. Here’s an equation to give you an approximate number of pockets: If phone height <= 6 ¼ inches        # of Pockets = 5 Else        # of Pockets = (2) * ((phone height in inches) + ½ in) - 3 ¾)

Method 1: Use the above equation to calculate an approximate number of pockets if your phone height is greater than 6 ¼ inches, otherwise you’ll just need x5 pockets. If you get a decimal round down to an integer, not up! Cut out that many rectangles of size: Width = 7 inches (accounts for ½ inch seams and ¼ inch seam) Height = 4 ⅛ inches (accounts for ⅜ hem and ¼ inch seam)

Method 2: Use the above equation to calculate an approximate number of pockets, unless your phone height is less than 6 ¼ inches, multiply that number by 2. If you get a decimal round down to an integer, not up! If your phone height was less than 6 ¼ inches you’ll get 10 (5*2). Cut out that many rectangles of size: Width = 3 ¼ inches (¼ inch seams) Height =4 ⅛ inches (accounts for ⅜ hem and ¼ inch seam)

If you chose method 1, for the driver’s license pocket, hem the top and bottom by ⅜ inch. If you chose method 2, hem the two driver’s license pockets by ⅜ inch on only one of the short sides.

Hem the top of all the basic card pockets by ⅜ inch.

Taking the driver’s license pocket, I centered a 2 inch by 3 inch rectangle on one half of the fabric (i.e. fold the material in half and on one of those halves make the rectangle. If you ended up doing method 2 for the pockets, do not fold the fabric in half just center the rectangle on one piece of the fabric you cut out for the driver’s license.). Next, I cut out that fabric.

Finally, I cut out a piece of plastic and sewed it over the rectangle. Make sure you use a somewhat sturdy piece of plastic. The type of plastic I used is leftover from a plastic zip-up bag that contained  a comforter or set of sheets.

Next, I embroidered the edges with a built in machine stitch. If your material is subject to fraying, I recommend putting a tiny zig-zag stitch close to the edge of the fabric around the rectangle.

Method 1: Next, I folded all the pockets in half and stitched the bottoms with a ¼ inch seam; the driver’s license is a special exception to the seam, simply follow the stitch from the hem you previously did. This stitch goes on the unhemmed side of the basic card pockets. As for the driver’s license pocket, make note of which side you make the bottom. This will determine where your driver’s license actually is later in the design (i.e. facing out or facing into the wallet. Mine is facing out.) If you’re not sure which direction to put it, keep reading so you can see how the pieces fit together!

Method 2: Take 2 of your basic card pocket cut outs and put them together, bad side to bad side and hems lined up (good sides facing out). Leave the hemmed edge open (to put your cards in duh) and one of the long edges and sew a ¼ inch seam (so you should only be sewing an ‘L’). On the bottom, side opposite the hem, do not sew all the way to the edge; leave at least ¼ inch. Repeat for the driver’s license pocket. Read method 1 above for my note about the driver’s license direction.

DO NOT PUT THIS TOGETHER LIKE PICTURED ABOVE! I tried to sew it all at once and I ended up seam ripping the crap out of it because I was unhappy with how unaligned it was.

Take your top basic pocket, put it inside another making sure they’re aligned as best as you can get. There should be about ½ inch of pocket sticking out so make sure you measure well! You can do more than an ½ inch sticking out as long as the height of the entire card holder isn’t taller than either the height of your phone OR 6 ¼ inches (if your phone was short).

Method 1: Sew 2 pockets together on the far right and far left with a ¼ inch or less seam. Repeat this process, adding a pocket at a time, trying your best to align your new stitches with previous ones! Lastly, your driver’s license pocket will be attached in the same fashion.

Method 2: Put all the pockets inside one another. I recommend trimming some of the fabric near the seams to get a tight fit. To make it easier I recommend putting 2 together at a time and sewing them together on the sewn edges that line up. The driver’s license pocket is put on last. Stick a piece of fabric on the long, open side of your pockets cut to be the length of your card holder and wide enough to be put between the front and lining piece. Sew down this edge. This will help to rid of bulk which will make your wallet fold easier (the problem my wallet has). Take bias tape around the edges of your card holder. For the side with the extra piece ‘fake’ your bias tape and put a strip on the edge between your card holder and extra fabric, both sides.

This may or may not be applicable to your design. I complimented by fabric by adding some cloth ribbon to the top and bottom. I had to attach the ribbon to the netting and backing.

So this one I really didn’t give much direction on for the dimensions. Above is the change pocket to be attached to the cash pocket. I literally free handed two pieces of lining in a rectangularish shape that was smaller than my cash pocket (**cash pocket is going to be folded partially later keep that in mind when making this piece). I attached a zipper and called it done! (No one is going to see the hot mess beneath when it’s done...)

Boy, do I hate zippers but it’s satisfying when they turn out well in the end! I just centered this bad boy on my cash pocket and sewed it down. Make sure you leave room for the hem at the top!

Next, I attached the piece of lining to the cash pocket. Match it up with the front, good side to good side. Sew a ⅜ inch seam at the top (long side closest to wherever you decided to put the zipper). I also scalloped the edges to help with any future fraying.

Fold the cash pocket. This is pretty much to your own choosing. I put mine just past the end of my zipper. Put a stitch straight down those folds.

Next we attach the wallet to the inner wallet lining. Line this up as best as you can because this will determine how flat your pocket will sit in the end! Sew down all the sides with a ¼ inch seam, leaving the top of the pocket open.

Time to put in the card holder! Make note that the card holder’s height should be smaller than that of the lining. We’re not sewing down the top and bottom only the side so that it can swing open. Line up your ‘messy edge’ of the card holder to the edge of the lining and wallet. If you choose ribbon like me as your fastener, go ahead and center that on the back side of the lining. Sew down the card holder (and possibly ribbon) with a ¼ inch seam. Pin your front piece onto the lining, good side to good side. You should have a sandwich of front, possibly ribbon, card holder, wallet, and lining. If you decided you need interface to make your wallet a bit sturdier, go ahead and add that to the sandwich where it belongs! Only sew down the edge with the wallet and card holder using ½ inch seam allowance. If you don’t like how it looks, take it apart and try again! Else if you’re okay with the results, now is a good time to attach your snap or button to the front of your wallet because it’s about to be inaccessible. After that, bad side to bad side, finish by sewing down your top and bottom edge leaving the very last side open to turn your wallet inside out! You may also want to cut of extra fabric so your wallet lays nicely.

Almost done! Fun part about making patterns, when they don’t turn out as planned. My fabric ended up being too short. I improvised and added some ‘complimentary ribbon.’ Shhh no one has to know! Definitely make sure your phone fits before you finish sewing down the last edge!

I put in my last piece of ribbon and sewed down the last edge. If you do a button or snap I’m assuming you probably have some strap to insert at this point too!

Place your phone case exactly where you want it. Trace out with a pencil any holes you need to make. I had to do my camera and speaker.

Cut out the fabric to make your hole. Embroider around the edges to give it a nice touch. I recommend a tiny zig zag around the edges to keep it from fraying!!

Touch up the edges with clear nail polish to help prevent further fraying.

Line up your phone case and attach! Shown in the picture above, I used hot glue because I am currently out of velcro. This is a good temporary solution and my low temp gun doesn’t really do any damage to my fabric. Eventually I’m going to put velcro on the case and wallet so I can pull my phone out as needed.