I designed a couple variations of minimal wallets by starting with paper mock ups.
Photo description: paper mock ups for two wallet designs, the bottom left has an angle access and a traditional quarter fold insert, the bottom right has a scoop access and an accordion fold insert, top middle is a credit card mock up
After getting my dimensions figured out with paper, I designed the leather cut out in Adobe Illustrator, and used a blue diode laser cutter to cut and emboss vegetable tanned tooling leather.
Photo description: leather with embossed design after cutting with a laser and rinsing with water, the folding
I stained the leather and let it dry, then applied a coat of resolene, which will make it water resistant.
I wanted the insert to have RFID blocking capabilities, so I used spray glue to adhere cotton quilting fabric to faraday fabric.
Photo description: cut cotton fabric glued to faraday fabric using spray glue on the back of the cotton
My favorite part of this project was learning a new-to-me edge stitch: triple loop lacing. It took a few tries on scrap leather to get the hang of it, but it was worth it. I love the braided edge look with the heavy waxed thread.
Photo description: using an awl to poke through the fabric using the precut leather holes as guides, the leather is secured in a book clampPhoto description: close up of the edge stitching on two leather and cloth minimalist walletsPhoto description: finished wallets with gift cards in the center pocket. Each wallet has three pockets: front, middle, back
Critters and Craft 