In case you have a particular taste for the alternative, are a DIY lover, or are simply attracted to the art of creating, take out a roll of duct tape and turn it into something useful. To make a wallet using duct tape, follow these instructions.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: The Body
Step 1. Cut a strip of adhesive tape at least 20 cm long, and lay it, with the adhesive side facing up, on a flat non-stick surface
A plastic cutting board or board might be ideal for this purpose.
Step 2. Cut a second piece equal to the previous one and cover, adhesive side down, half of the first lengthwise
The other half of this new piece will then be attached to the flat surface.
Step 3. Fold the sticky part of the first strip over the second
Step 4. Flip the two strips over, add a third, sticky side down, to cover what's left of the sticky side of the second
At this point, the other half of the new piece will now be attached to the shelf.
Step 5. Continue rotating and extending the sheet of masking tape until it reaches at least 22cm in length excluding adhesive edges
Step 6. Fold the last adhesive side and cut the edges so that the sheet becomes an 18 x 20 cm rectangle
This means that your wallet will be approximately 10cm long. In case you want to create one more suitable for holding dollars, the narrow American banknotes, make sure you have a rectangle that is no smaller than 15 x 20 cm.
Step 7. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and tape the two closed sides to make a large pocket
The fold should run along the same direction as the tape lines. This pocket is where you will put your bills.
Step 8. For a different effect, fold the rectangle in such a way as to create a small difference in height between the two upper ends
Getting the inside shorter will give your wallet a more finished look.
Step 9. Fold your wallet in half, swipe with your fingers or a beveled edge on the fold to make it smoother
Method 2 of 3: Internal Side Pockets (Optional)
Step 1. Make another rectangular sheet approximately 9 x 9.5 cm
Use the rotate-and-fold method (just like you did to build the body) to create a slightly generous rectangle, then cut out to bring it back to size. Later this will become an interns pocket with the opening towards the central fold of the wallet.
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The side pockets are a great place to put in cards you don't use often, or something like that.
18094 14 bullet 1 - Note that a side pocket is half the body (but slightly narrower) of the wallet. This is to ensure that the wallet can still close once the pocket is installed.
- If you have changed the size of the body, you will need to do the same with the side pocket. Eg if your wallet is 7.5 x 20cm high, make the side pocket 7.5cm high and 9.5cm wide.
Step 2. Repeat step 1 to create a second side pocket that you will place on the opposite side of the inside of the wallet, ie its opening will be in front of the other pocket
Step 3. Secure the new pocket in place
With the wallet open in front of you, place each side pocket on one side of the fold so that the outer and bottom sides are aligned. Wrap some tape on the bottom and two outer sides, taking care to leave the inner edges (the actual opening) free. To tape the tops, place a piece of tape about 9.5cm long along the top of the side tab, then wrap it around the inside flap of the body, being careful not to tape the wallet opening as well.
Method 3 of 3: Inner Pockets (Compatible with Side Pockets)
Step 1. Cut out another rectangular sheet measuring 3.8 x 9.5 cm
Use the rotate-and-fold method (as you did to build the body) to create a slightly generous rectangle, then trim it to the desired size. This, once finished, will become the pocket used to hold a card / document / business card.
Step 2. * Note that the card pocket is slightly narrower than half of the entire body
This is to make sure the wallet can still close once the pocket is installed.
The standard height of a credit card is 5 cm. Making a pocket slightly shorter than a credit card allows for quicker visual and practical access
Step 3. * In case you want to have the Identity Card always on display, make a rectangular piece about 9.5 cm high and as wide as the height of any document you want to put in it, then cut out the center so such that the card information is exposed and at the same time, the rest of the frame continues to hold it steady
You can also put a piece of plastic (cut out, for example, from the transparent plastic cover of any document) behind this frame for a more refined effect.
Step 4. If necessary, make more pockets
Better not to do more than three on each side otherwise the wallet will become huge.
Step 5. Tape the bottom of the first pocket to the bottom edge of one inner side of the wallet
Line it up with the lower edge considering the left or right hand side, and secure it inside the wallet by passing a thin strip of tape across the edge. Turn the pocket over and repeat the operation on the inside edge to prevent cards from falling under that first strip of tape. Don't tape the edges, not yet.
The same applies if you have made a compartment to show your ID card
Step 6. Tape the bottom edges of each additional pocket to the inside of the wallet, placing each pocket slightly higher than the previous one
This will allow you to see all the cards at the same time. Remember that the tab of the card is slightly shorter than the card it will hold, so be sure to apply the pockets at the appropriate height.
Step 7. Tape the side edges of all pockets
For a cleaner look, you might even think about putting your pieces of ribbon so that they flow from the inside fold out, through the pockets, around the corners, on the front of the wallet, then finally back on the pockets of the wallet. other side, without visible interruptions on the front of the body.
Step 8. At this point, put your banknotes, documents, your credit cards in it or, alternatively, you can give it away as a gift or even sell it
Step 9. Finished
Advice
- There are many ways to customize this design. For example, consider adding pockets for coins inside the main one for banknotes or by putting cuffs in the card holders so that business cards / credit cards / driving licenses etc. don't slip away every time you take out your wallet.
- Wrapping appropriately cut cards in adhesive tape, such as to make them a sort of skeleton, will make the body of the wallet more robust and resistant.
- Try using different colors for the inside cuffs.
- Using scissors is easier for large cuts than for smaller ones.
- If you use a knife, the best solution is to have a metal-edged blade.
- Try making them with paper, fabric, net or painter's adhesive tape (blue tape).
- For a simple, yet pretty style, you can use black Tylek tape, available in two width options, 2 and 4 inches (about 5 and 10 cm), from bookbinding supplies.
- Covering the body of your wallet with aluminum foil will shield the RFID chip (radio frequency identification code) of your credit cards, thus preventing them from being cloned.
- Put butter or margarine on your scissors to make it easier to cut the tape.
- If you get good enough at making this bunch of items you might even think about selling them. A good margin (taking into account expenses) would be like € 2 or € 3 for each wallet. You could sell them for example during a trip, or maybe a fair.
- Another type of personalization would be sticking stickers on it.
- Once the construction phase is over, it is very possible that the portfolio is not closed; put weights on it to flatten it, maybe under some books for a couple of hours.
- Keep some banknotes or a credit card handy, so you can check on the fly that everything respects the right measures and proportions.
- You can buy foil tape instead of using the roll.
- Create a protective flap or flap: take a piece of adhesive tape as wide as the wallet, stick a part of it in the back, about 1/4, wrap it on itself so that you no longer have any exposed adhesive part, then fold it inside the wallet. Now your money can practically no longer fall.
- Creating the pockets also allows you to have a sort of basic structure for any expansion.
- This can be done quite easily with clear packaging tape. To get a little more thickness, and why not, even a touch of color, you can pad the various layers of adhesive tape with photos or colored paper.
- Add a sticky letter representing your name to give it a nice personal touch
Warnings
- Take your measurements carefully. Otherwise you risk that the spaces are too small to hold your documents and you would have to start all over from scratch. Make it bigger than you think is enough.
- Be very careful with the blade (or scissors). Always cut "away" from yourself. Make sure there is no adhesive residue left between cuts to keep the blade clean and efficient at all times.
- Apply the tape slowly and iron it gently to prevent wrinkles or air bubbles. In the case of an air bubble, prick it with a pin and press until the affected surface is flattened.
- The duct tape sticks to your fingers firmly. Keep this in mind especially if you have super sensitive skin.
- Make sure your wallet doesn't overheat otherwise it could get sticky and ruin your stuff.
- Be careful not to cut yourself when using tools with sharp blades.
