Make a Slim Leather Wallet–Easy DIY Gift for Men

I’m 99.62% certain my husband wants the same gifts for Father’s Day that I wanted for Mother’s Day:

• cold beer,
• afternoon alone in hammock, and
• zero responsibilities.

But since I’m trying not to raise a flock of wild heathen children, I want to make sure the kids understand thoughtful gift giving along with the need to show their dad how appreciated he is.   We decided to make a slim leather wallet that is easy to carry.  Slim wallets hold all the essentials (driver’s license, credit card, cash) and are great for short adventures where a big bulky wallet isn’t necessary or convenient.

Leather slim wallet tutorial from Carla Schauer Designs

Plus, they are a gift that will actually get used on a regular basis and can be made in less than 15 minutes start to finish.  Yay!  You only need 2 leather pieces, coordinating thread, pen, scissors, and a monogram if you choose to add one. (Optional: leather punch if hand sewing the wallet.)

Use leather to make a slim wallet. |Carla Schauer Designs

To Make a Slim Leather Wallet:

Cut two pieces of leather.  The first piece will become the main wallet pocket and should be cut to 2.625″ x 7.75″  (2 5/8″ x 7 3/4″).  The second piece will form the outside pocket and will be cut to 2.625″ x 3″ (2 5/8″ x 3″).  The leather can match or be contrasting colors, depending on your preference.

Cut notch in front panel for easy access to cards. |Carla Schauer Designs

Use a dark pen to trace a half-circle in the center of one of the short ends of the longer leather piece.  Draw on the reverse side of the leather to hide any stray pen marks when the wallet is sewn together.  Cut along the line to create a thumb notch in the wallet.  Fold the strip in half, matching short sides together, right sides out.

Make an extra leather wallet pocket. |Carla Schauer Designs

Cut the second leather rectangle at an angle to create the front pocket shape.  This doesn’t have to be a certain size or shape, you can cut to whatever you like.  I used a straight cut from approximately 2.5″ on the left side to approximately 1″ on the right side to add a good size pocket for holding some cash or business cards.  Layer the cut piece on top of the pocket, aligning the bottom with the folded edge.

Sew leather layers together to make a wallet. |Carla Schauer Designs

Sew the leather layers together on 3 sides, leaving the notched end open at the top.  If machine sewing, a heavy-duty needle can help with this step if the leather is thick or stiff.  The slim leather wallet can also be hand sewn together using leather lace, heavy duty thread, or a similar product.  Simply punch holes along the sides and bottom using a leather punch, and whipstitch around the edges.

Add a monogram using alphabet stamps and permanent ink, leather stamping tools, or vinyl. |Carla Schauer Designs

To Embellish a Handmade Men’s Wallet:

Technically, the wallet is finished, but I can never resist the opportunity to embellish.  I added a matching monogram in the bottom corner to personalize the gift, and give it another style element.  You can add a monogram or other design using alphabet stamps and permanent ink, leather stamping or burning tools, or even iron-on vinyl.

Slim leather wallets also make great handmade gifts for graduation and birthdays, especially with some fun money tucked inside.  Never struggle to find a man-gift again!

Thanks for stopping by!
Carla