
With the Creative Estates coming up soon (as in, next weekend!), I thought I’d get on the ball and
have something to hold my “business” cards while I am there.
Here’s how I made mine:
You Need:
2 fabric pieces cut 5 1/2” x 4 1/2” (one will be lining, one the outside. You can do the same fabric for both, or different fabric to mix things up)
2 fabric pieces cut 2 1/2” x 4 1/2”
1 fusible fleece piece cut 5 1/2” x 4 1/2”
Small hair elastic (I used my daughter’s) - not pictured
(Warning: lots of pictures ahead. I had a hard time finding “white” on my camera today, so, just forgive me.)
To begin, take your 2 1/2” pieces and iron a double 1/4” hem down one long side.
Top-stitch your hem in place.
Then, place your beautifully hemmed pieces on top of your lining piece so your raw edges line up. You can baste these together if you like using a 1/8” seam allowance.
Iron your fusible fleece piece to your top piece (no pic) and put it right sides together with your lining piece. Pin these pieces together, but don’t sew yet!
On one of your 4 1/2” sides, insert your hair elastic in between the lining and the top piece. The more elastic you stick in between the layers, the longer your loop will be when you turn everything inside out. I stuck it in about 3/4 of the way.
Then, sew around the perimeter of the whole thing using a 1/4” seam allowance. Make sure you remember to leave a space for turning! Clip your corners when you are done.
I used a dull colored pencil to get my corners all pointy. Make sure they look nice and pretty :)
I gave it a good ironing, and then top-stitched around the entire thing to close the opening.
Then, sew down the middle of the piece. This is totally optional, btw, I just liked how it looked and how it kept the layers together.
Now, find your button placement. I folded the loop up and just put my button where the top of the loop hit.
Hand-stitch the button on, but make sure not to sew the pocket shut while doing so!
Annnnnddd…. you’re done.
You’ve got yourself a card-holding cutie.
Don’t have business cards? How about gift cards?
How about making multiples and giving them as gifts to your friends?
Since these are so small, they are perfect for using up scraps.
Do you have fun buttons? I didn’t. These can be EXTRA fun with cute buttons.
Everything is more exciting in multiples.
Go ahead!!! Make some!
Don’t forget to link up to the Flickr group with any you make.
And since I know someone will ask, I ordered my cards through Vistaprint, although they aren’t superfab (c’mon, I just used Picnik to design them. They’re going to be lame!). The holders can hold 24 cards- I am sure you can squeeze in a few more.
Sharing this with Sew Much Ado, Today’s Creative Blog, and Blue Cricket.

THANK YOU for figuring this out so my NyQuil inebriated self didn't have to!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally just shared this on my FB page.
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable! I'm sending this link to my mom and hopefully I'll get one for my birthday! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese are great, thx for the tute. I'll be making them for all my girlfriends!
ReplyDeleteAlright Melanie, you need to come clean, these are not for your business cards, I know Mike is the real one toting these around with his business cards in them, just make sure he does not try putting his Man card in it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with me!!! I'm so featuring this because many of my readers attend conferences and this will be perfect for them...I want one, too!
ReplyDeleteThose are so cute! And with graduation coming up, this would be SUCH a fun gift to give that cute girl you know that is graduating from college and heading off to her first big girl job! ;D
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE these! Makes me want to print out a ton of business cards now so I can store these! Definitely on my to-make list! Thanks, Melanie!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I love this idea! Do you mind if I share this post on my blog?
ReplyDeleteHow perfect, I seriously JUST got my business cards from Vistaprint in the mail today! I have a TON of scraps so I will be whipping up one of these ASAP! They are so adorable!
ReplyDeleteThese are just too cute! I'd love for you to submit this to the M&T Spotlight at http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
ReplyDeleteI love it! I'm hoping to make one with a monogram or another embellishment, as my current metal card holder has my maiden name on it. Thanks for the tute! :)
ReplyDeleteHow adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteVery Cute! Thanks for the great tutorial! :)
ReplyDeleteNice!!
ReplyDeleteI like how it has two sides, so when networking you can put peoples' businesscards on the one side, and your own on the other. Very professional!!
saw these on UCreate - they are adorable! Love them :)
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute!!!! What creativity! Thanks for sharing. This will definitely go on my to do this.
ReplyDeleteI'm so going to make these! They're fantastic. I always have to many cards in my wallet so I'm going to make one for my purse for the extra cards. Great Idea!
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous! The fabrics you used are great, love the patterns, and there is nothing wrong with your cards, I think the look really good!
ReplyDeleteWill be making these later tonight I think when the boys finally go to sleep!
Great tutorial! So much fun, I just shared a link on our blog. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteSandy
These are so great! And the ponytail elastic, ingenious!!! I was thinking to myself that I needed to get some elastic cording and then read that and thought, wow! I have those! :) Going to make one of these as a gift to match an e-reader cover and phone pouch I'm making. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and definitely perfect for scraps. Super cute - Thanks!
ReplyDeleteVery cute and adorable. I love it.
ReplyDeleteLove it!! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
ReplyDeletehttp://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-business-card-wallet-2/2011/03/31/
--Anne
I love it!!!! I am soo making one of these.. thank you so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThese are beeee-ooooo-tiful! They look super easy peasy to make too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy blog - Sew Ray Me
awesome!! the perfect gift!! thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI really need to make some of these! Thanks for the tutorial. Also, I like your business cards - they don't look lame at all!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial. I need a new card holder myself.
ReplyDeleteDarling - I think I will make one too. Thank you so much for sharing, and I'll see you at Creative Estates too.
ReplyDelete~Chrissy
Visiting from House of Hepworth's, and a new follower! These are wonderful, and I love the colors you used. I will be making (at least) one, to replace the plain, boring black business card holder I have now. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to make these! They're gorgeous! Great tutorial!Thanks! Ciaoooo dall'Italia!
ReplyDeleteI shared your post on my blog: http://koolbeenz-blog.blogspot.com/2011/03/fabric-business-card-holder-tutorial-by.html
ReplyDeleteFeel free to grab my featured button, which leads people directly to the Featured Crafters category.
You are the coolest thing since sliced bread! ;)
ReplyDeleteI love it!! I'm your newest follower, found you on Craft Gossip. I'd like to invite you to my "Show Off Your Crafty Side" blog hop. Opens every Wednesday.. link up as many crafts as you like..
ReplyDeleteHope you are able to stop by sometime.
Have a wonderful Friday!
Cindy
Genious!!! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI just started sewing and LOVE this project! I'm definitely going to do it. Where did you get the fabric? So trendy and chic!!
ReplyDelete~Jenna, SAS Interiors
www.sasinteriors.net
I love the fabric you used, especially the one with the dots. Wishing I had a sewing machine right now!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Thanks for sharing this with us :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. And your tutorial is PERFECT. Sooo easy to understand. I am totally making some of these!!
ReplyDeleteThat's really cute! Now I need to make some blog cards. :)
ReplyDeleteHi I'm your newest follower! Thank You so much for sharing this. I just tweeted it. I can't wait to make one!
ReplyDeleteThis is darling! Thanks for the great link! I'll be featuring this on BCD this Friday! Can't wait to meet you at Creative Estates! See ya soon!
ReplyDeleteOh my that is so so cute! Love it! Shoot now I'm thinking I should of made business cards. Can;t wait to meet you. See you Thursday! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this tutorial! I found it over at Char's and just whipped one up to take to CE. Can't wait to meet you there! :)
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic. Can I buy one from you? I really want one, but I just don't have the time/energy to make one right now. Or I'll trade you one for a month of advertising if you want. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm serious. Let me know if you are in the market of selling them.
You've been featured this week at my Hookin Up with HoH Party!
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to stop by and grab a button if you'd like!
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
Those are super cute !!! They turned out great !!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou can visit me on my blog here http://sailingwithbarefeet.blogspot.com/ I do a little of crochet.. just getting into it !
Thank you so much for this! I'll make this project myself and blog about it in the coming weeks; I have a nother project first. :) Thank you for being so generous!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the tutorial that was very adorable card I think business card is one of the best business idea.
ReplyDeleteFast cash loan Philippines
I love these! I'd like to feature you next friday 4/22 in my 3rd edition of Make & Share over at my blog.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to stop and link up any time .)
Christy
This is so great! I needed a little something to put in a clutch for my son's teacher and this will be perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks to Erica at B is for Boy for linking to you!
I love these. I am going to give it a try with burlap. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice tutorial, and very handy. I'll be making some up soon.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you shared this tutorial!! I made one for myself during my kiddos naps this afternoon. Super easy, very cute, and I had everything in the house!
ReplyDeleteThey are super cute and love the colors! By any chance are you selling them ??
ReplyDeleteThis is a great tutorial. Nice and easy to make. Love all the fab colors. Once I make mine, I'll be sure to link back!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute. I'm so lame I still don't even have business cards! But when I finally do get around to it, I'm going to make one of these cuties to hold them. Pinning this!
ReplyDeleteI just posted a link to this tutorial on my blog...Love your ideas! I hope you don't mind me speading your awesomeness :)
ReplyDeleteI just had to share that after I posted a link on my blog, I went ahead and made one...too cute! I didn't use the button, 'cause I didn't have one, but it works just perfectly to loop the elastic around the case. Different look, but just as cute! And it only took me about 10 minutes to make, so I would call this one fun, awesome tutorial! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteShared this great tutorial on my blog
ReplyDeleteBlogged: http://thehandmadehomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/08/what-ive-been-working-on-and-very.ht
What an amazing tutorial! I'll really try this out, but just a question... Do you think it's possible to put such a plastic card organizer in it as this one: http://www.etsy.com/listing/56119368/2piecs-20pages-good-quality-card?ref=sr_gallery_37&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=plastic+holder&ga_order=date_desc&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=NL&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_facet=supplies
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
Such a great idea! Thank you
ReplyDeleteGREAT idea!
ReplyDeleteI can think of several people who will be getting these from me for Christmas. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the idea & tutorial, it is awesome
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial! I had a great time making one of these :)
ReplyDeleteAdorable!!!! So cute and easy to do! Thank you for this great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteGreeting
Lena
I love these and am making them for people as Christmas gifts. However I've found them to be a bit small for credit cards -- I don't have business cards to compare, are they different sizes? Also I like a bit more allowance when folding in and topstitching so I've added more to the overall dimensions. We'll see how they cook up. So cute!!!!! Thanks so much. Your steps are easy to follow and were wonderfully inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI was going to make purse organizers for 2 people BUT now I'm thinking I'll use those supplies to make these for 7-8 people! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing! These are so cute! I made one and blogged about it here: http://www.mommade.org/2012/01/business-card-holder.html. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSarah
http://www.mommade.org
I have been wanting something like this. I made it today and I love it. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern! The instructions were very easy to follow and the end product is very cute! I linked back to this post from my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://stargazundesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/business-card-holders.html
Thank you for these lovely bags!!!
ReplyDeleteI will make some too!! ;o)
They are so sweet!!! ;o)
Greetings
Bini
Hello, I've just found your blog and these are perfect for a newbie to sewing like me - thank you!
ReplyDeleteSandra x
Great tutorial! You've been featured on the Quality Sewing Tutorials blog.
ReplyDeleteWe hand select only the best free tutorials and patterns for home sewers.
these are ADORABLE :) I think I will have to find a seamstress to get a few made!
ReplyDeletevery nice , muchas gracias por compartir
ReplyDeleteYou have some of the greatest ideas!!! I do have one question since I am a newbie at sewing.... how do you get your edge to look seamless where you turned the piece? you know, that little spot you left to turn everythign right side out....
ReplyDeletehello - great tutorial but just wondering if i could use some ribbon instead of the hair elastic. please reply asap thanks
ReplyDeleteRosey, you are a no-reply commenter so I hope you check back here!
ReplyDeleteThe only problem with using ribbon is you can't adjust for how many/few cards you have in your holder. It would have to be pretty much the same all the time for the ribbon to hold it shut. You can always put a button on both sides and tie a ribbon around both buttons? Anyway, elastics are best.
Love this! I've been looking for some easy projects since I've been teaching myself to use my mom's old sewing machine and I whipped one of these up. Very clear and quick to put together. I didn't have fusible fleece so I just used a piece of felty material. I don't have much material since I'm just starting to sew but I did have some random fabrics that I pieced together. I'll be giving it to my sis who has her own web design company. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh... and someone else asked about ribbon... I just made a knitting needle roll with a length of ribbon (seam bindind, actually), the folded edge of which is sewed into the edge and then ties everything together - you could do something similar here instead of the elastic loop.
I'm excited to try this fun project, but I don't have fusible fleece. I do have felt, thick stabilizer, or batting. Could any of these work in place of the fusible fleece?
ReplyDeleteThese are super cute. Thanks for the tutorial. I've pinned it for future reference.
ReplyDeleteOMG Love IT <3
ReplyDeleteJust finding this tutorial - love it! Added to Flickr but you can see more at: http://www.roseleej.blogspot.com/2012/03/business-card-holder.html
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch! I just made one! Your instructions were super easy to follow and it turned out perfectly.
ReplyDeleteSUPER EASY to make! Had to figure out which sides faced each other since I'm such a visual learner, and one of those pics was missing, but otherwise, it was SUPER EASY! Thank you for this fun idea! I put my real estate business cards in one side and my soap-making business cards in the other side, so I'm ready for either business. I made it without a loop or button and it's still great! Thank you for the pattern!
ReplyDeleteBeautful, thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteLove these..how awesome for small gifts for a girly birthday too! Little book covers are adorable.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/GiddyNiddy
i made 2 before i finished my morning coffee-- very cute and easy. i skipped the interfacing, they are stiff enough once you put a card in them. making more! thanks for the instructions!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteLove your project! I linked to it on our site, AllFreeSewing.com. You can see it here:
http://www.allfreesewing.com/Miscellaneous-Projects/Business-Card-Holder-Pattern
If you have any objections or you are interested in us adding more of your projects, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks!
Kirsten
Editor
AllFreeSewing.com
I'll be making some of these. Thanks for the fun idea!
ReplyDeletegreat idea to hold the gift cards i forget i have. great tutorial, thank u.
ReplyDeleteThe Plastic Business Cards design must have unique.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the great how-to! even with my limited sewing skills I was able to follow along and create one of my own! Thanks again!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.arussoriginal.com/2012/06/sewing-madness.html
Ang Russ
arussoriginal.com
This looks A LOT like something I've made from this blog http://hollandcox.com/blog/2010/06/tutorial-the-19th-street-wallet.html
ReplyDeleteThis looks a LOT like something I've made from this blog http://hollandcox.com/blog/2010/06/tutorial-the-19th-street-wallet.html
ReplyDeleteI know this tutorial is very old, but I've been having it in my bookmarks labeled "to-do" since today. I Made two: one following your measure guide and the second a little bigger (I found that my business card are a little bigger than yours!).
ReplyDeleteBoth are beautiful and your directions are really detailed, thank you!
Very Cute! Thanks for the great tutorial I'll be making some of these. Thanks for the fun idea!
ReplyDeleteThese are adorable! And I even have the exact same fabric as you (the navy with the hot pink and green "snowflakes", with one of the same linings, as well.) I love how you made such a huge pattern work on such a small project. Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteOn December 14, 2011, Patochan asked a question about the size difference between business cards and credit cards. Since I have some cards of both sizes, it was easy for me to compare.
ReplyDeleteMost credit cards in the USA are the same dimensions as my bank debit card. This is 3 3/8 inches on the long side and 2 1/8 inches on the short side.
You will want to add some width to your fabric accomodate a decent seam allowance. Generally, a smaller seam allowance is better because your project seams will not inhibit the look of your project as wider seam allowances would do.
My business cards are slightly longer than the bank debit card on the long side of each, but slightly shorter than the bank debit card in the short dimension.
I also have business cards from others with different dimensions than my own cards so I won't bother to post accurate dimensions for those here, as yours may differ. Instead, a general guideline that I find helpful appears below.
If you want to make a card holder similar in style to this one but sized for your credit cards, I suggest measuring your own credit card and then increasing the depth of the pockets or the width of the pockets as needed to better accomodate the size of card you need to put in the holder.
Ooops!
ReplyDeleteI just found this: http://www.duitang.com/people/mblog/14825335/detail/?next=14826993 on pinterest.
Lately I find a lot of tutorial on web sites like the one on the link, I wasn't sure they were stolen until I saw your project :/
Hi. I did my own version here at my blog http://heartforhandmade.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/business-card-holder/. Thanks fo sharing this tutorial.
ReplyDeleteHiya! Featured this tutorial on my blog and then had a go myself - Not perfect but I'll practice. http://craftycupboard.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/how-to-business-card-holder.html
ReplyDeleteLove this tut, thank you! New follower..found you via Sew Can She!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog and lovely tutorial. Thank you for sharing! This gives me so many ideas.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great blog and lovely tutorial. It has given me lots of ideas.
ReplyDeletethank you very much for providing tis tutorial!! I learned a more systematic way to sew the card holder through your explanation. Thank you, tis is a good reference for me!!
ReplyDeleteI love this ones... i'll make some of them. groeten uit Nederland.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've made a few similar "wallets" but the button & hair elastic thing is brilliant!!! I love it! Just whipped up three - thanks!!
ReplyDeleteHi - thanks for the tutorial -- I adapted this to hold SD cards (camera memory) for my mom as she doesn't delete her pictures - just buys a new memory card. All I did was after pinning the pockets to the lining, I sewed a seam down the middle of the pocket, dividing it into two smaller pockets. then followed the rest of the tutorial as written.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting tis wonderful tutorial! I'm made one for my networking cards and I will definitely be making more for gift cards for the holidays!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to the one I made!
http://discoveringlifesstitches.blogspot.com/2012/11/something-you-put-other-things-in.html
This is so great. I will definitely use this for my plastic business cards. I really appreciate your work. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I made my first one this evening but wanted to share a little shortcut. Instead of hemming the shorter inside pockets, just use 2 - 4" x 4 1/2" pieces and fold them in half. A neater look and quick.
ReplyDeleteI'll be making a lot of these with fabric scraps (plus a cut up pair of lightweight jeans & a few shirts) for gifts this season. These are just wonderful for gift cards, too.
Thanks for the terrific idea!
I totally messed up on the measurements and made the first 2 fabric pieces 5 1/2" x 4" (thanks to not having a proper ruler) but I still pulled it off. I did have some problems with turning it right side out (a few stitches came undone) but the topstitch took care of that. I wouldn't gift this first one but I learned from my mistakes and will be making a better one for my sister next. Thank you for the tutorial. :)
ReplyDeleteHi and thank you for a wonderful tutorial. This is my 2nd attempt http://thecazzbar.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/stitched-business-card-holder.html as the first one was a bit of a tight squeeze for my cards so I added 1/4" to the 4 1/2" measurements and its just fine now x
ReplyDeleteThis is totally do-able for even a novice!! Thank you so much for the tutorial!! I'm sharing and following your blog.
ReplyDeleteI just bought a gift card for a friend and this would be a great way to present it. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI love these! So cute...just pinned :o)
ReplyDeleteJust made 10! For my own (shopping cards) and as gifts. Love them! Will link this to my FB with a photo of the ones I made. Thanks for figuring this out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great tutorial! I made one! :) http://pillowsalamode.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/what-can-you-make-with-a-red-sweater/
ReplyDeleteSo cute Mel! And I miss your guts.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I do something like this on a larger scale as a bible cover/carrier :)
ReplyDeleteJust made one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello! Thank you for a wonderful tutorial! I have done one of these myself and even being a beginner I was able to do a great job thanks to your easy to follow explanations and pictures. I have got pictures of my card holder at http://visualdistractions.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/practical-and-pretty.html and I have a link to his tutorial in case anyone else wants to make one. Thank you again!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this tutorial! I used it to make myself a card holder to match my bag and wallet!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.leaandlars.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-sidekick-tote-and-accessories.html
Thanks for sharing these great card holders.
ReplyDeletehttp://myowncardprinting.wordpress.com
hello, great tutorial, very easy.... can i link in my blog? smauny.blogspot.it
ReplyDeletethanks a lot
Bye Simona
Just curious why the main page at http://coatsandclarksewingsecrets.com/blogcategory/sewing/5-quick-sewing-tutorials-for-happy-kids-gift-giving-from-the-crafty-cupboard/ says "We love the round elastic used in these, but know it can be hard to find at a regular fabric shop" when you used "Small hair elastic" which can be found nearly everywhere except a fabric shop!
ReplyDelete