Nappy/Diaper Wallet Tutorial

I posted a month or so ago about the simple nappy wallets (diapers for those of you reading from the US) I have been making for friends and family and have finally had time to get the tutorial together to share with you.

These are quick and easy to make but super-handy for on-the-go nappy changes without having to lug an entire bag around with you.

And the best part is they don’t use up much fabric – you could even patchwork a few coordinating pieces together and use even smaller scraps.

So here we go:

(Please excuse the lousy pics - I only have time to do this in the evening - so they are a bit dull)

CUTTINGCut two pieces of fabric 58cm wide x 28cm deep.
They can be different colours if you like – one is for the lining, the other is the outer.

(This makes a roomy wallet – able to fit nappies, wipes, nappy sacks and anti-bacterial wipes, if you want a smaller wallet keep the same depth but make it slightly narrower, maybe 54cm x 28cm).

Cut two pieces 20cm x 5 cm in the same colours – this is the strap that closes the wallet.
(there are two sets here - you just need one in each fabric!!)

PUT IT TOGETHER
Body
Place the two body pieces right sides together.
Sew around the outside using a 1cm seam allowance, leaving a 6cm gap along one of the short ends for turning.

I left it on the long edge in this pic - so it doesn't really matter -but it's a little neater if you leave it on the short edge.

Clip corners and trim the seam then turn inside out.
Poke the corners out using a chopstick or something similar.

Press well and in doing so iron the edges of the opening under so they will be caught in the next step.

Topstitch both the short edges closed, just a few millimetres from the edge.

Strap
Place the two pieces together and sew around two long and one short edges, leaving one end open for turning.

Clip and trim seams then turn inside out.

Tuck the edges of the open end under, press well, then topstitch close to the edge around the entire strap.

ADD THE STRAPPin the strap to the main body of the wallet positioning it centrally top to bottom and 22cm in from one end along the width.

(Ignore the strap at the top of this pic - it was the second one for the other wallet I was making and was just in the shot by accident!!)

Pin in place then sew a 4cm square with a cross in the middle along the end of the strap that is toward the centre of the wallet.

Try to stay on top of existing topstitching for neatness – I probably should have used coordinating rather than contrasting thread for this!

MAKE THE POCKETS
With the lining fabric facing up, fold the short ends toward the middle.
Based on the items I put in it I make the pockets 11-12cm each. This leaves around 6-7cm in the middle between the two pockets.

Pin in place and try closing it with your items in the pockets first to make sure it all fits. If not adjust the pockets and test again.

Once you are happy with the fit of things, stitch along the two long edges securing both the pockets in place as you do.
Do this fairly close to the edges, maybe 3-4mm.


SNAP IT UPSecure your snap or velcro on the free of the strap.

Then fold the wallet up and mark where the corresponding snap/velcro should go on the body of the wallet. (mine is about 6cm from the folded inside edge of the pocket).

You're done!!

Fill it up and toss it in your handbag, the glovebox of the car or give it to Grandma to keep at her place ready for when you drop in.
I hope you find this handy and let me know if you find any errors with my instructions so I can fix them.

Also I have no problem with anyone selling items made using this tutorial – after all it’s a pretty generic item, but please link back to my blog if you do make one up based on this idea just as a courtesy.

Thanks.