Make a fun DIY wallet from vintage postcards
In minutes you can sew a DIY wallet from vintage postcards
If you’re looking for a super simple, inexpensive DIY gift for a friend, this DIY wallet from postcards is perfect. You can make a stack of them in no time, and they make wonderful gifts for friends, coworkers and teachers.
These little DIY wallets can be used in several ways. You can literally use them as wallets to hold your ID, credit card or small amount of cash. But they also make fabulous business card holders, and even gift card holders.
What you’ll need to make these vintage postcard wallets
Here are the supplies and equipment you’ll need for this easy project.
- Supplies and equipment
- Vintage postcards, sports cards, playing game cards or other cardstock
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Circle template — this could be a lid, a sewing weight or just a sturdy piece of cardboard
- Sewing machine
Step by step: How to make your vintage postcard wallet
- Step 1:
- Cut your postcard in half.
- NOTE: If you’re using another type of paper — i.e. sports cards or playing cards — you will need to use two of them, back to back.
- Cut your postcard in half.
- Step 2:
- Using a half-circle template, draw a semi-circle on either the top or the bottom of the inside of one of the halves.
- NOTE: Choose your orientation — top or side — based on how the postcard is oriented.
- Cut out the semi-circle so that you have an opening in the card. This will allow you to easily remove your ID, credit card, gift card, business card, etc.
- Using a half-circle template, draw a semi-circle on either the top or the bottom of the inside of one of the halves.
- Step 3:
- With right sides together, sew along three edges of the postcards, keeping the edge with the cut-out circle open.
- It’s that simple! You’re done!
Options for wallet materials
Vintage educational materials, like these cards from a Book of Knowledge set, are great for this project. You can also use sports cards and vintage playing cards. Just make sure they’re big enough to fit an ID/credit card into.
Tips
Here are some helpful tips that I’ve found as I’ve made these DIY wallets:
- If you’re having trouble keeping the postcards together when you sew them: Try applying a small amount of glue or double-sided tape to the three sides you’re going to sew. Make sure it’s dry before you sew it, or it will gum up your needle.
- About the needle: The paper is going to dull your needle, so you won’t want to reuse this needle for fabric. Keep it handy and use it just for these kinds of paper crafts.
Sources for vintage postcards
The best (and cheapest) option is to ask your older relatives if they have any they’d be willing to give you. It’s amazing how many postcards people have bought over the years and have never used. Although, used postcards are just as handy as unused.
But if you really want to do a special wallet and find a postcard that fits with a specific interest or theme, try eBay. Postcards are very inexpensive, and it’s easy to find a lot of different options.
More offbeat DIYs to try
I consider this an offbeat DIY because it uses simple vintage materials, and because every single one of them is going to be one-of-a-kind. You can find a lot of other fun offbeat DIYs in that section of my shop.
Try one of these:
