Sewing a passport wallet

[Grant187ftw]

This will be my first leather project, I’m looking to make a passport wallet for my mom.  I am going to use this pattern.http://www.leathercove.com/passport-wallet-pattern/ I planned to use a conventional sewing machine as I have a juki 1541 for parachute rigging.  Is this machine suitable for this type of project?  I only have ball point needles at this point because I generally only sew webbing with this machine.  I planned to use 4 oz leather something like this https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/milled-single-shoulders, is that too light/heavy?  If you experts have any suggested tools I should buy please let me know.  What size needles and point would be good and what thread should I run?  If this works I would like to make a passport wallet for myself and maybe a small bifold wallet.

Im currently trying to mend a broken ankle so I’m stuck at my house anyway.  Might as well dabble in some skills I don’t have yet.

 

Thank you in advance

Grant

[chrisash]

After spending about 40 years traveling the world, North and South America, Asia, Europe and Africa, I would suggest you do not place cards in a passport cover, it is far safer to have the passport in its own holder with maybe your tickets and the cards in your normal wallet / purse

Both are easy to lose in a strange country by pickpockets, and if all are in one place your up the river with no paddle, you can also just present your passport and a card slips out unnoticed with it, some countries also make hotels keep your passport so police can check who is staying although this is few and far between nowadays

Money in a case with your passport can be seen as a bribe in some countries and in other places like Nigeria just taken as a thank you

Edited September 12, 2019 by chrisash

[mikesc]

What Chris said..cards, money, passport(s) ( I have more than one ) ..separate..never put all your eggs in just one basket.
Split your money up too when travelling, and if you have more than one passport ( split them ) likewise with cards..Some of us carry more than one phone too ( private, business, and "just in case" )..Paris has more pickpockets than almost anywhere in the world, especially around the tourist spots, other cities ( in fact any large town or city ) ..Applies in other countries too..

Edited September 12, 2019 by mikesc

[Grant187ftw]

Okay, then maybe I’ll just make a wallet for myself.  I’m broken and stuck in my house with sewing machines.  Any Ideas on thread, needles, and if 4oz leather is applicable for this?

[steven1]

Your machine should work fine and 4 oz leather is also about right.  Personally I would not used a milled shoulder from Tandy as it is too soft.  This may be better https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/craftsman-single-shoulders  at $40 for a first leather project.  There are many other finished leather choices as well.  I have liked using 2/3 oz for linings and pockets.  You could probably use the same thread and needle size you use in your for your nylon sewing.  Make one see how it goes and adjust (needle change, thread change, pocket configuration...)  You are stuck at home just get busy and enjoy it as much as you can with a broken ankle. 

[Matt S]

Your ball-point needles probably won't work too well on leather. If you have some round/normal points they may work to a limited extent but leather-point needles will be best, which have tiny cutting edges ground on them. I like LR/right twist but there are various others.

For a wallet you'll want TKT40/V69 up to TKT20/V138 thread. You can go down or up a little from there but I wouldn't recommend it. Nylon or poly.

[Grant187ftw]

Okay, I’ll order some various size (probably 16-21 for #69) needles in the leather points.  Also I appreciate pointing me in the right direction for the leather.  I appreciate your responses!

[chrisash]

Here is a thread v needle size chart which may help

https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html