After receiving my new blog cards (see previous post HERE) I wanted to make a leather card holder. I’ve never sewn with leather, so here’s a little trial & error show for you!
You can click on any image to enlarge.
The leather comes from furniture swatches that I picked up at the thrift store. My materials list also includes thin cotton fabric, a vintage button and a black hair band.
No. 1 I used a stack of cards to measure the size of the case. Using only one card to size may not allow for the bulk needed in the end.
No. 2 The suede underside of this leather is pretty sticky, not like adhesive, but not smooth enough for cards to easily slide against. So lining the card holder was important. I used a small amount of spray adhesive to attach the gingham fabric to the leather and then trimmed the excess fabric off.
No. 3 I sewed the flap area to the back piece first, leaving the end open to add the elastic loop. For the loop, I tied a knot in the hair band and cut off the remaining piece. No. 4 I also stitched along the edge of the front piece at the top/opening of the pocket to give it a finished edge and laid it into place.
No. 5 Then the final top-stitching around the entire outer edges. Here’s where things got rough. Sewing the leather was very smooth. Sewing over the bulk of the hair band was not. So my white stitching came out very inconsistent. 
I decided to cut the corners into an envelope-style flap and to mask my ugly stitching, I colored the thread with a permanent marker. (I wouldn’t recommend a Sharpie, only because it tends to be too shiny and blue-tinted.) At this point I trimmed the edges of the leather around the outside seams and I gave one more seam to the area just above the inside pocket to help create a fold for the back of the flap. No. 6 Then on with the button.
You are so creative! I love the card holder as much as the great cards.
And beware, colourlovers is so addicting. But such a wonderful tool for designers!
Love it!
Where are you? Please have a talk with my sewing machine. The best thing to come of it has been a great photo I managed to get in after crying because I couldn’t thread the bobbin. (It was my creative consolation)
Really nice card holder and thanks for upcycling, the planet is pleased.
Great idea! I’m awful at coming up with my own ideas… :S
🙂
these are SO wonderful sweet pea !! i want one….AND i LOVE your biz cards…may i ask where you got them…pretty please…?!? LOVE. i want some just like it and a leather card holder to hold them in !! lovely !!!
xoxox
bunnie
Seriously – sell these. I would totally buy one!
Great instructions! Wonderful blog!
Bonnie! My post previous to this one tells all about the printing, I had them done at OvernightPrints.com
You are so clever!
Wow! This is absolutely adorable and I love your cards! Found your through Angie’s blog, will definitely be coming back for more. All the best ~ Sharon
your business cards are sooooo cute!! and loving the clever card holder!!
so nice!!
Just beautiful!! Oh, and thanks to you I spent the better part of my afternoon designing some cards for myself and got them ordered with the code you posted yesterday!!
Can’t wait to see how they look in person (though they won’t be near as awesome as yours!!_
Thanks again!
~Tidymom
Thanks for looking everyone -I love your comments!
tidymom- sorry to make you play beat-the-clock- I hope you love your new cards!
gorgeous… I am so jealous!!
It looks fabulous!
Beautiful!
Love the business card holder!
I saw your post in the Etsy forums…These are fantastic, and further down your blog, I am having envy over your mail cubby shelf thingie. Sheesh!!
Is there anything that you cannot do???