Make Card Slots for Faux Leather Wallets – Free Pattern Hack

If you’re trying to figure out how to sew faux leather card slots, the first step is getting the pattern pieces right, and in this post, I’ll show you how I hacked one of my free sewing patterns to do that.

I’ve been using my Zip-up Cardholder wallet for the past two years (pretty much every day), and let’s just say it’s seen better days. It’s a little beat up, definitely dirty, and no matter how many times I’ve washed it, some stains just won’t come out. Ugh.

For the longest time, I kept thinking, “I really need to make a new wallet.” And every time I’d think about it, I’d tell myself: “This time, I’m making it in faux leather.” Why? Well, for one, faux leather is way stronger than quilting cotton (which is what I used before), and two, it doesn’t get dirty as quickly, so I wouldn’t have to wash it every other week. Win-win!

But here’s the catch… the original pattern has card pockets that fold, like an accordion, to create the slots. That’s great for lightweight fabrics like cotton, but I knew if I tried that with faux leather or anything thicker, my machine would struggle with all that bulk. I just knew it wasn’t going to work.

My old wallet.

How I Modified the Zip-up Cardholder for Thicker Fabrics

So, I decided to hack the pattern.

Instead of folding the pockets, I created three separate pattern pieces that are layered on top of each other to make the card slots. This way, there’s no bulk in the seams, and it’s way easier to sew even with thicker materials like faux leather, cork, or vinyl.

The modification is simple yet effective, and the best part? It’s beginner-friendly! You can still follow the original pattern, just swap in the new pieces to make those pockets with minimal bulk. It makes a world of difference when working with non-fraying fabrics.

Where did the idea come from? Well, funny enough, it came from my Mallory Mini Crossbody Bag. The front pockets on that bag are similar, and inside the instructions, I show how to make them two different ways. I thought, why not use the same method for this wallet?

And honestly? It worked beautifully!

My new wallet.

Watch the Pattern Hacking Tutorial on YouTube

Curious how I created those new card slot pieces? I shared the full process in a Live video over on YouTube. In the tutorial, I show you exactly how I modified the original Zip-up Cardholder pattern to create a version that works better with non-fraying fabrics, such as faux leather, cork, or vinyl.

And what I love most about this little hack? You’re not limited to this one wallet. You can use the same method to modify or add card pockets to other patterns too, even if they weren’t included in the original design. It’s such a handy technique for anyone who likes customising their sewing projects.

If you’ve ever wanted to make the Zip-up Cardholder with something thicker than cotton but know that your machine could not handle it, this hack is for you! In the next video, I’ll show you exactly how to put those new pieces together and sew your updated wallet step by step, so keep an eye out for that!

Watch the tutorial here ⬇️

Don’t Have the Pattern Yet?

The Zip-up Cardholder pattern is completely free! You can download it from my website.
👉 Download the Free Pattern

If you give this hack a go, I’d love to see your version!
Tag me on social media @allsewpetite or share it in my Facebook group. I always get so excited when I see your makes pop up.

Want to learn how to design your own bags from scratch?

If you’ve ever looked at a bag and thought, “I’d love to make something like that”, or you’ve got ideas and sketches in your head but no clue how to turn them into actual pattern pieces, that’s exactly what I help you with inside the Bag Maker Community.

It’s where I teach you how to draft your own bag patterns from scratch. We go step by step, from sketching out your design to figuring out dimensions, drafting pattern pieces, and actually sewing the bag. If you’ve enjoyed seeing how I hacked this little wallet, you’ll love seeing how full bag designs come together from the very beginning.

Doors only open twice a year, so if you’re curious, be sure to join the waitlist to be the first to know when it’s open again.

Stay crafty friend!