How to make a card case

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one case)

• Main fabric (faux leather, canvas or heavy cotton) — about 25 × 20 cm (10 × 8 in)
• Lining fabric — the same amount
• Pocket fabric — about 15 × 15 cm (6 × 6 in)
• Firm fusible interfacing — for the main fabric
• Optional: a snap fastener

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Accessories” → “Card case” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the card width, height and ease. Presets cover business card, credit card and a larger size.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the body and the pocket, and mark the center fold.
2. Cut
   Cut the body in main and lining, plus one pocket.
3. Apply interfacing
   Fuse interfacing to the main fabric. On something this small the difference is dramatic.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the pocket

1. Turn the top edge of the pocket under twice — 5 mm and 5 mm — and stitch. Press the folds hard first; at this size a wobble shows.

4-2. Attach the pocket

1. Lay it on the right side of the lining, to one side of the center fold, and baste the lower and side edges within the seam allowance.

4-3. Sew the layers together

1. Place main and lining right sides together and sew around, leaving a 6 cm (2½ in) gap.
2. Trim the corners well — on a small piece, bulk at the corners is obvious.
3. Turn, press and topstitch 3 mm from the edge all the way around.

4-4. Fold

1. Fold firmly at the center and press.
2. Stitching the sides together for a couple of centimeters stops cards sliding out sideways.
3. Fit a snap with the cards in place if you want it to close.

✏️ The ease setting is what makes this work. Cut to the exact card size and the interfacing plus seam allowances leave no room for a card at all. The preset ease already accounts for that — do not reduce it.

5. Tips & variations

• Do not over-interface: too stiff and the case springs open instead of folding. Medium weight is right.
• Faux leather: has body without interfacing, but every needle hole is permanent.
• As a gift: small, cheap and genuinely used. One of the best things here to give away.