How to Make a Duct Tape Wallet
Discover how you can create a unique wallet using little more that colorful duct tape. Create a simple, folded wallet or go a step further and make one that has credit card and picture slots plus a window for your ID. Find out how my wallet making techniques are easier than many others.
The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.
Let's begin...
Gathering The Supplies to Make Your Duct Tape Wallet
Before you start working on this duct tape wallet, it is easiest to gather together all of the supplies. For this project you will need:
Start Making Your Duct Tape Sheet
Grab a piece of paper and lay it on your work surface. This can be any scrap piece of paper. Don't worry about seeing it, it will be completely covered by the time you are done.
Cut or rip a piece of duct tape that is just a little long than you piece of paper. Stick this piece of duct tape onto the paper, along one of the long edges. It does not have to completely line up along the edge. It can overhang it a little bit.
Tear off a second piece of duct tape and lay it so it is slightly overlapping the first piece. Continue in this fashion until the entire paper is covered.
Now we can finish the other side of the duct tape sheet...
Finish Making Your Duct Tape Sheet
When you have one side of the paper covered with duct tape, flip your page over. Cut a piece of duct tape that is as long as the shorter side of the paper. Lay it along the edge of the paper. The pieces on this side of the paper will run the opposite direction of the first side. Cut another piece of duct tape and place it so it is slightly overlapping the first piece. As you did with the first side, continue this until the paper is completely covered.
We are now ready to start making the duct tape wallet...
Cut out Your Wallet Shape
I measured and cut my sheet down to a 9" x 7" rectangle. I originally made one a little smaller but decided I wanted it a little roomier. If you want a slightly smaller wallet, use a dollar bill as a cutting guide. Just be aware, if you make it too small you probably won't be able to fit the credit card pockets on the front.
Fold Your Duct Tape Wallet
Once your duct tape sheet is cut to the proper size, fold it in half, making a crease. Open the duct tape sheet up again and set it one your work surface. Measure in halfway from the edge, above the fold, and draw a line (halfway should be 4 1/2-inches.
Now set the wallet aside and we will start working on the credit card or photo pockets on the inside of your wallet...
Start Making the Credit Card Pockets for Your Wallet
Make another duct tape sheet to use for the credit card or photo pockets. You will only need 3 small piece so you could use a smaller piece of paper.
Once your duct tape sheet is made, cut 3 rectangles from it, each one measuring 4" x 1 1/2". Now, there is one more step to get the pockets ready for the wallet...
Getting the Pockets Ready for the Wallet
Cut 3 pieces of duct tape 4 1/2-inches long. Lay them sticky side up on your work surface. Grab one of your 4" x 1 1/2" rectangles and lay it on top of one of the piece of tape. Line up one of the long edges of the rectangle with one of the long edges of the piece of tape, centering it between the two cut edges. Repeat this for the other two rectangles.
Sticking the Pockets to the Wallet
Grab the wallet you set aside earlier. Grab one of the pocket rectangle and tape combos. Stick the pocket rectangle onto the top, left hand side of the wallet. Line up the long edge of the pocket piece about 3/4 of an inch from the top of the wallet. The tape extending from each side and the bottom of the pocket rectangle should firmly be stuck to the wallet.
Now grab another of your pocket rectangles and stick it in the same manner on top of the first, but about 3/4 of an inch down from the top of the first pocket rectangle.
Stick on the third pocket rectangle in the same manner on top of the second rectangle.
Your wallet should now have 3 pockets that a credit card or wallet-sized photo can slip into. You can make 3 more pockets on the other side of the wallet, or you can make a photo or I.D. window...
Finish the Edges of The I.D. Window Pocket
You can easily create a pocket for your duct tape wallet that has a window you can see through. It is perfect for holding an I.D. or a special photo. To make this window pocket, start off by cutting two 4-inch long pieces of clear packing tape. Lay one piece on your work surface, sticky side up. Lay the other piece of packing top on top of the first so the sticky sides are stuck together.
Trim this piece so it is 3-inches long.
Now we can finish off the edges of the window pocket...
Attach the I.D. Window Pocket to the Wallet
The packing tape alone is not quite wide enough for a standard I.D. or wallet photo to fit in so we need to make it just a little bigger. To accomplish this, we will extend the edges by using the duct tape.
Cut two piece of duct tape, about 4-inches long. Cut each strip in half so you end up with 4 pieces that are each about 4" x 1".
Lay one of the piece of tape, sticky side up, on your work surface.
Lay one edge of the packing tape window along one of the long edges of the tape so it overlaps the tape by about a 1/4 of an inch. Fold up the other long side of the tape onto the packing tape window, just 1/4 of an inch. Trim an extra tape flush with the edges of the packing tape window. This will finish one edge.
Repeat this step with the other 3 edges of the packing tape window. Not only does this give your window a nice, finished look, it also makes it a little bigger!
You are now ready to attach the I.D. window pocket to the wallet...
Start Finishing the Wallet's Edges
Cut two pieces of duct tape, about 4-inches long. Cut each strip in half so you end up with 4 pieces that are each about 4" x 1". Use three of these pieces to attach the I.D. window pocket to the wallet as shown in the photo. Save the forth piece of tape for the last step. Do not use tape on the inside edge of the I.D. window pocket as that side should remain open to slip an I.D. or a photo into.
Now we can start finishing the wallet's edges...
Finishing the Duct Tape Wallet
Cut a piece of duct tape, about 9-inches long. Cut the strip in half so you end up with 2 pieces that are each about 9" x 1". Use these two strips to cover and finish the long edges of the wallet. Stick the pieces of tape along the wallet edges as shown and then fold the remaining tape over to stick to the other side of the wallet.
Now there is only one step left to finish the duct tape wallet...
Cut one piece of duct tape, about 4-inches long. Cut this strip in half so you end up with 2 pieces that are each about 4" x 1". Also grab the 1" wide strip you had left over from step 12.
Fold your wallet in half again, like you did in step 6. Place one of the 4" x 1" strips down the center of your wallet to cover the rough edges of the tape that are holding your pockets on. Next, use the other two strips to cover the rough edges of tape along the side of the pockets and also to hold the folded wallet together finally.
Trim any extra tape so it is flush with the wallet.
Your duct tape wallet is now done. You can use it the way it is or decorate the wallet using shapes cut from duct tape or stickers! Make several duct tape wallets and personalize them to give as gifts.
Discover how you can create a unique wallet using little more that colorful duct tape. Create a simple, folded wallet or go a step further and make one that has credit card and picture slots plus a window for your ID. Find out how my wallet making techniques are easier than many others.
- Age Guideline: 8 Years and Up
- Time Required: 60+ minutes
The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances.
Let's begin...
Gathering The Supplies to Make Your Duct Tape Wallet
Before you start working on this duct tape wallet, it is easiest to gather together all of the supplies. For this project you will need:
- Colored Duct Tape ()
- Clear Packing Tape ()
- Plain Paper
- Ruler
- Pen or Pen(not pictured)
- Scissors
Start Making Your Duct Tape Sheet
Grab a piece of paper and lay it on your work surface. This can be any scrap piece of paper. Don't worry about seeing it, it will be completely covered by the time you are done.
Cut or rip a piece of duct tape that is just a little long than you piece of paper. Stick this piece of duct tape onto the paper, along one of the long edges. It does not have to completely line up along the edge. It can overhang it a little bit.
Tear off a second piece of duct tape and lay it so it is slightly overlapping the first piece. Continue in this fashion until the entire paper is covered.
Now we can finish the other side of the duct tape sheet...
Finish Making Your Duct Tape Sheet
When you have one side of the paper covered with duct tape, flip your page over. Cut a piece of duct tape that is as long as the shorter side of the paper. Lay it along the edge of the paper. The pieces on this side of the paper will run the opposite direction of the first side. Cut another piece of duct tape and place it so it is slightly overlapping the first piece. As you did with the first side, continue this until the paper is completely covered.
We are now ready to start making the duct tape wallet...
Cut out Your Wallet Shape
I measured and cut my sheet down to a 9" x 7" rectangle. I originally made one a little smaller but decided I wanted it a little roomier. If you want a slightly smaller wallet, use a dollar bill as a cutting guide. Just be aware, if you make it too small you probably won't be able to fit the credit card pockets on the front.
Fold Your Duct Tape Wallet
Once your duct tape sheet is cut to the proper size, fold it in half, making a crease. Open the duct tape sheet up again and set it one your work surface. Measure in halfway from the edge, above the fold, and draw a line (halfway should be 4 1/2-inches.
Now set the wallet aside and we will start working on the credit card or photo pockets on the inside of your wallet...
Start Making the Credit Card Pockets for Your Wallet
Make another duct tape sheet to use for the credit card or photo pockets. You will only need 3 small piece so you could use a smaller piece of paper.
Once your duct tape sheet is made, cut 3 rectangles from it, each one measuring 4" x 1 1/2". Now, there is one more step to get the pockets ready for the wallet...
Getting the Pockets Ready for the Wallet
Cut 3 pieces of duct tape 4 1/2-inches long. Lay them sticky side up on your work surface. Grab one of your 4" x 1 1/2" rectangles and lay it on top of one of the piece of tape. Line up one of the long edges of the rectangle with one of the long edges of the piece of tape, centering it between the two cut edges. Repeat this for the other two rectangles.
Sticking the Pockets to the Wallet
Grab the wallet you set aside earlier. Grab one of the pocket rectangle and tape combos. Stick the pocket rectangle onto the top, left hand side of the wallet. Line up the long edge of the pocket piece about 3/4 of an inch from the top of the wallet. The tape extending from each side and the bottom of the pocket rectangle should firmly be stuck to the wallet.
Now grab another of your pocket rectangles and stick it in the same manner on top of the first, but about 3/4 of an inch down from the top of the first pocket rectangle.
Stick on the third pocket rectangle in the same manner on top of the second rectangle.
Your wallet should now have 3 pockets that a credit card or wallet-sized photo can slip into. You can make 3 more pockets on the other side of the wallet, or you can make a photo or I.D. window...
Finish the Edges of The I.D. Window Pocket
You can easily create a pocket for your duct tape wallet that has a window you can see through. It is perfect for holding an I.D. or a special photo. To make this window pocket, start off by cutting two 4-inch long pieces of clear packing tape. Lay one piece on your work surface, sticky side up. Lay the other piece of packing top on top of the first so the sticky sides are stuck together.
Trim this piece so it is 3-inches long.
Now we can finish off the edges of the window pocket...
Attach the I.D. Window Pocket to the Wallet
The packing tape alone is not quite wide enough for a standard I.D. or wallet photo to fit in so we need to make it just a little bigger. To accomplish this, we will extend the edges by using the duct tape.
Cut two piece of duct tape, about 4-inches long. Cut each strip in half so you end up with 4 pieces that are each about 4" x 1".
Lay one of the piece of tape, sticky side up, on your work surface.
Lay one edge of the packing tape window along one of the long edges of the tape so it overlaps the tape by about a 1/4 of an inch. Fold up the other long side of the tape onto the packing tape window, just 1/4 of an inch. Trim an extra tape flush with the edges of the packing tape window. This will finish one edge.
Repeat this step with the other 3 edges of the packing tape window. Not only does this give your window a nice, finished look, it also makes it a little bigger!
You are now ready to attach the I.D. window pocket to the wallet...
Start Finishing the Wallet's Edges
Cut two pieces of duct tape, about 4-inches long. Cut each strip in half so you end up with 4 pieces that are each about 4" x 1". Use three of these pieces to attach the I.D. window pocket to the wallet as shown in the photo. Save the forth piece of tape for the last step. Do not use tape on the inside edge of the I.D. window pocket as that side should remain open to slip an I.D. or a photo into.
Now we can start finishing the wallet's edges...
Finishing the Duct Tape Wallet
Cut a piece of duct tape, about 9-inches long. Cut the strip in half so you end up with 2 pieces that are each about 9" x 1". Use these two strips to cover and finish the long edges of the wallet. Stick the pieces of tape along the wallet edges as shown and then fold the remaining tape over to stick to the other side of the wallet.
Now there is only one step left to finish the duct tape wallet...
Cut one piece of duct tape, about 4-inches long. Cut this strip in half so you end up with 2 pieces that are each about 4" x 1". Also grab the 1" wide strip you had left over from step 12.
Fold your wallet in half again, like you did in step 6. Place one of the 4" x 1" strips down the center of your wallet to cover the rough edges of the tape that are holding your pockets on. Next, use the other two strips to cover the rough edges of tape along the side of the pockets and also to hold the folded wallet together finally.
Trim any extra tape so it is flush with the wallet.
Your duct tape wallet is now done. You can use it the way it is or decorate the wallet using shapes cut from duct tape or stickers! Make several duct tape wallets and personalize them to give as gifts.