How to Make a Simple Leather Keychain Wallet

This easy leather project is great because it’s something you’re going to use and take with you everywhere – a simple leather card holder! And while it’s simple to make, I’m going to show you several ways to personalize your diy leather wallet, so it’s anything but boring. Use it as a leather wallet, or a mask holder, money holder, whatever! You can even add a keychain loop so you can clip it onto your bag and never have to dig around for it.

Simple Wallet Overview

Difficulty: Easy!
Time: 1 hour
Cost: Under $15 (If you have tools and only need leather and snap/rivets)

Supplies Needed

1. Leather! I like 4-6 oz leather for this.
2. Pattern for making this wallet. It’s a $4 PDF download here.
3. Waxed thread for hand sewing.
4. Needle – I use a “glovers needle” from Tandy Leather
5. Snap hardware and setting tools
6. Optional: double cap rivets as design element and setting tools
7. Scissors and utility knife (I use a metal edged ruler in tandem with the knife)
8. Pen – ballpoint is fine
9. Mallet for setting the snap or rivets
10. Leather hole puncher for snap and rivet holes

Let’s get started!

1. Download and Print the PDF Pattern for Your Leather Keychain Wallet

You can of course make your own pattern but a lot can go wrong doing that. If you have time to work out the kinks and adjust it until it’s perfect, then go for it! You’ll feel even more proud of yourself.

Otherwise, you can download and print the wallet pattern I’ve designed for you. It’s exactly what I used to make the several variations of this wallet.

When you download it, you’ll get 2 ways of making the wallet, each with 2 variations for the flap – rivets design and snap, or just the snap. So in total you’ll get 4 pattern variations.

You can download your PDF wallet pattern here for $4.

Print out your pattern on 8.5 x 11 paper.

Cut out your pattern along the lines.

2. Transfer the Wallet Pattern to the Leather

There are a couple ways to do this, but I think the easiest is simply to trace it with a pen, on the wrong side of the leather.

Pictured here below, I’m simply cutting along the edge of the pattern with a utility knife. I use the straight edged ruler to keep the straight cuts perfect.

You could also use carbon transfer paper, but that doesn’t always show up dark enough to see. Plus you’d probably be doing it on the right side of the leather, so it’s more risky if you mess up.

Another way is to use a scratch awl to trace the pattern. But again, you’d be doing that on the right side of the leather – the side that people see when the wallet is done. So if you slip and scratch your leather somewhere else it can be problematic!

Easiest just to trace the pattern with pen, on the wrong side of the leather!

Don’t forget to mark the holes where the snaps and rivets go.

Mark the sewing holes for the keychain strap, too. I use a scratch awl for this – it’s just a sharp piece of metal, like a huge needle, with a wood handle. 🙂

3. Cut out the Leather Pieces

This tutorial shows how I made the leather wallet with 3 pieces – front, back, and keychain strap. When you download the pattern, you also get the option of making the wallet from one piece of leather that you fold over and then add the keychain strap.

Cut all the pieces out either with leather scissors, or (my preferred method) utility knife and a metal edged ruler to guide the straight cuts.

4. Punch Holes for Snap, Rivets, Strap.

Now punch the holes needed for your snap. There are several tools available for this. The cheapest is a little metal rod with a circle on the end that you hammer into your leather. It punches through, removing the circle.

Also, if you want a rivet design on the wallet flap, then punch those holes, too.

Punch the stitching holes for the keychain strap now, too. Punch them on the back piece of leather, as well as the strap piece.

5. Set the Snap and Optional Rivet Design

Now you’ll use a couple tools to set the snap pieces and optional rivet design on the flap.

Snaps involve 4 pieces plus the tools for setting them. It’s super easy, don’t be intimidated!

Insert the pieces, one on each side of the hole. Then with your setting tools, hammer them into place. Your tools should come with instructions showing you, if you don’t already know.

6. Tape the Front and Back Leather Pieces Together.

Use double stick leather tape to keep your front and back pieces together.

Make sure they are aligned perfectly.

The double stick leather tape helps you punch perfect stitching holes, but also keeps your pieces together while you’re sewing. It’s super helpful!

You can use contact cement glue instead. But the tape is mess-free, quick and easy!

7. Punch the Holes for Sewing

Now use a leather stitching chisel to punch the holes for sewing, punching through both layers of leather at the same time.

The stitching punch is easy to use – you just place it on your leather and hit it with a mallet, and it creates holes. Of course, make sure you have a cutting mat or board underneath your leather, or you’ll cut into your table top. 🙂

You don’t have to punch through the paper, like I did. But it helped me keep the right distance from the edge and stay consistent.

Hey, by the way! Would you like to see more leatherworking projects like this?

If you join Girls Build Club (it’s free) then I’ll let you know when new projects are up. I also send out free patterns once in a while! 🙂

I love to send out other treats every so often, too. So be on the lookout!

8. Stitch the Front and Back Pieces Together

Now you’re ready to sew the front and back wallet pieces together. It’s relatively fast on a small project like this!

I use the running stitch to just go up and under, all the way around the wallet. Then, I go back the way I came, and stitch around it again! So you end up with a solid line of stitching.

I tie a knot and singe the ends with a match to make them ball up.

9. Sew on the Keychain Strap

I personally like to sew the keychain strap on the wallet after I sew the front and back together. The reason, is because it’s easier to set the snaps and rivets when the strap is not there.

Now, it is a little difficult sewing the keychain strap on when the wallet is already put together, but it’s not that bad. Not enough to change my steps, anyway.

There are a lot of choices for keychain hardware you can add to your strap. Even a split ring will do nicely. Or you can go without one altogether. It’s totally up to you!

10. Start Using Your DIY Leather Keychain Wallet!

This easy to make leather wallet turns out to be a great gift. Especially if you personalize it with their initials.

Or just use it for yourself! Throw it in your purse, or clip it on your keychain. And be sure to say, “Thanks, I made it!” when you start getting compliments. You just might start getting asked to make them for other people!

If you still need to download the pattern (you get 4 variations), you can grab it here for $4.

11. Ideas for Personalizing Your Leather Wallet

1. My favorite – use a Foil Quill pen to add a touch of metallic shimmer. Perhaps your initials, favorite quote, or cute sketched animal. You use the Foil Quill pen in tandem with hot foil. It’s so addictive. You’ll be wanting to use it on everything, trust me. You can find it here on Amazon.
2. Wood-burner tool to burn a design. This only works on veg-tan leather.
3. Leatherworking stamps to make a design or imprint your initials.
4. Leather paint.
5. Rivets and snaps!
6. Crystal or gem stone rivets!
7. Fringe. << I love fringe.
8. Colorful or embossed leather.

Thanks for stopping by! If you have any lingering questions, please leave me a comment. I read every one, and I’ll be sure to respond.

Now go make something awesome!