Photo Demo: Making a Biker Wallet

[ClayB]

I didn't recognize it. The reason I sent it all to you was in hopes I'd forget leather in some of those colors ever existed! I'm glad you found a use for it that actually makes it look pretty good.

[jbird]

You Rock Kate.

Josh

[bigorange]

Kate that a bunch! I hope you all can find the humor in what I am about to tell ya'll,, I make what some call pretty nice stuff I am proud of what I have been able to produce!, THanks to everyone here on this forum who offers great advice and help!now for the funny,, the wallet in my hip pocket is one I bought along time ago for about $7.00 at a swap meet!and now I think ist time for a one of my own!

[Crystal]

Thanks, Kate! Great tutorial.

Only complaint is that now there is ANOTHER thing on my "need to make" list ...

Crystal

[reddevil76]

Hi Kate, I just bought some 2.5 oz calf skin off Tandy. This is my first time looking at calf skin, and it seems pretty thin to use on a biker wallet. You mention it's your preference.

I saddled stitch almost everything, as I do not have a sewing machine. Previously, I used 4-5oz veg tan for my biker wallets, and even then, the tension of the saddle stitch "crumples" the edges a bit.

How is this thin calf skin going to take the saddle stitch? Hope you can share some experience.

[CitizenKate]

This is my first time looking at calf skin, and it seems pretty thin to use on a biker wallet. You mention it's your preference.

Hi Red, it is my preference for the insides. Anything heavier (like regular veg-tan that I've split down to 3-4oz) creates a pretty thick wallet unloaded. (I think azrider also made that observation earlier in this topic.) The calfskin is pretty strong and has held up well on all the wallets I've made so far.

I saddled stitch almost everything, as I do not have a sewing machine. Previously, I used 4-5oz veg tan for my biker wallets, and even then, the tension of the saddle stitch "crumples" the edges a bit.

How is this thin calf skin going to take the saddle stitch? Hope you can share some experience.

I do all of my stitching by hand as well. For one thing, I adjust the tension on my stitches depending on the material I'm stitching. If I'm stitching something very thick and firm, I really pull those stitches tight. But if I'm stitching something very thin or soft, I don't pull the stitches as tight. I just snug them down to the point just before they start to bunch the edges.

It also occurs to me that you might want to consider a slightly lighter thread to stitch all the inside parts.

Kate

[reddevil76]

Thanks Kate for the tip

[Jimbob]

Got one of them "biker" wallets in my pocket.....for more then 10 years....store bought but I like the style....it is falling apart now it is time for a new one.....so I looked your pattern up which is a tad bigger, good for all my junk I carry.

Now my wallet goes together just as ur PDF pattern....exept there is a large part that I can't figger out...I dig the zipper pouch, the little pocket in front....the three pieces for the interior and the large part as cover ( has no stitching lines ) but with holes marked for snaps...now what is the second largest piece,,,almost as big as the cover but with stitching holes and snap buttons? marked....is this the liner for the cover??? I know I sound stupid, made some simular wallets befor....but that pattern dassels me...!!?? And it is not shown what it is for in your picture tutorial...

First I thought it is a additional compartment folded and then also sewn in on the outer cover....but that seems almost to much interior...

OK, I give up...can you shed some light in my brain...

Thanks for the effort to show us and tnx fer helping me out!!

Greetings

James

[CitizenKate]

Hello James,

Sorry for the slow reply - didn't see this until just now, and the lack of explanation about that. The tutorial mainly focused on making the interior of the wallet.

Yes, that is the liner for the cover. It's slightly smaller, because it is attached to the cover on the inside while it is folded. The smaller turning radius for the lining at the spine of the cover results in a smaller piece required to cover the inside. Hope this makes sense... if not, fire one back and we'll figger it out.

Kate

[Jimbob]

Hello James,

Sorry for the slow reply - didn't see this until just now, and the lack of explanation about that. The tutorial mainly focused on making the interior of the wallet.

Yes, that is the liner for the cover. It's slightly smaller, because it is attached to the cover on the inside while it is folded. The smaller turning radius for the lining at the spine of the cover results in a smaller piece required to cover the inside. Hope this makes sense... if not, fire one back and we'll figger it out.

Kate

Ok.....thanks Kate

That makes sense now why it is smaller....matter a fact I made one wallet and put a liner in without realizing that the otber part sbowing is actually a liner....haha....must be the age.... thanks for straitening me out....and thanks for the tutorial!!

Greetings

James