Making the World Cuter: How to Make Kid's Wallets...out of a Dollar Store place mat!

I found these super fun bright colored place mats at the Dollar Store and knew I had to make something with them since I wasn't really in need of new actual place mats.

My kids have been in need of wallets, (for their spending money and library cards) and I thought these would be the perfect material for them. I was right!

First I used a dollar bill as my guide to see how big I would need it. I miscalculated on this pink one so I will give you the exact measurements so you can make one super speedy.

If you cut 8 inches, by 8 inches this will give you a perfect size wallet. :)

Next you will want to cut a couple of other pieces, one for your change pocket and another for your card holder (if you want more than one card holder just cut a couple more of the card sized ones in stacking heights). I used my Costco card as a guide.

Can you see why you should use exact measurements instead of being all free style like me? The measurements you should use are 4in x 4in for the change pocket and 4in x 2in for the card pocket-otherwise you have space around them and that doesn't make for the easiest sewing-and we all like it to be easy right?

Use the finished edge as the opening to both pockets for ease of use.

I pinned this one up to show you, but on the others I made I just sewed them directly to the fabric and it went SOOOOO much quicker.

I also added a ribbon trim around the rough edges. This step I would suggest doing, unless you want a really frayed edge that you have to trim for a few days until it stops. I put a ribbon under the pockets of the boys wallets, but not around the outer edges and I had to trim them for about 3 days before they got to be okay.

Next on one side about an inch in (this is on the side of the wallet opposite the pockets) hand sew on a button. Easy Peasy.

On the other side (opposite the button) either sew a hair elastic on, or just wait until you sew the whole thing together like I did. I just pinned it here to show you how it goes in the inside.

Then...

Be way too lazy to go and find an empty bobbin to put matching thread in and sew with black and green thread so that everyone can see how ugly your stitches are. Wow. Laziness was taking on a new meaning this night! Oh well, now you can see that all I did was sew the pockets on first, then the ribbon trim....

...folded the wrong sides together and sewed up the sides, leaving the top open for the money!

See the handiness of the change pocket...and the fantasticness (my word) of the card holder?

Then see how it easily closes with the elastic and button closure? Now see how the bottom side is shorter than the top side?

Handy Manny always says, to "measure twice and cut once," and I think that crazy kid is on to something! ;)

Then make two more for your boys without ribbon because your husband says it's way too girly and then cuss him out under your breath when they both have 12 inch threads hanging all over them both night and day for 3 days straight! Trim them up nice for a picture and try not to focus on the salsa stains on your three year old's new favorite thing ever!

Seriously these were really easy after I got the measurements figured out, they only took me about 15 minutes a piece for the last two and my kids have carried them around all week, especially my little 3 year old. They all feel pretty cool having a place to keep all their spending money and their own library card.