Sunday, April 25, 2010

How to Make a Duct Tape Wallet


There are actually quite a few projects you can make from duct tape, today I'll show you how to make a simple wallet. Duct tape is silver and available at Wal Mart, hardware stores and home supply stores. There's also something called Duck Tape, which is a brand of tape that comes in a variety of fun colors, available from craft supply stores. We actually used a combination of duct tape and Duck tape for our duct tape wallet. This would make an ideal Father's Day gift!

What's really fun about this particular tutorial, is that this wallet was constructed in its entirety by an 11 year old girl. She learned how to make these by following a You Tube video she found. In fact, SHE showed ME how to make it, I just happened to have my camera handy!


The two kids pictured here are Dominic, my 11 year old son, and Cailin, our neighbor, and Dominic's friend since preschool. Cailin has made several wallets, this one is a fairly basic bi-fold with a money pocket and four credit card pockets. She made a tri-fold one for her dad that has six credit card pockets and an ID slot. Way to go Cailin and thanks for your hand in this tutorial. :)


(This is a photo intensive tutorial, but the printable version link will give you the text instructions only.)


Duct Tape Wallet
printable version

You will need

Duct tape of Duck tape, any colors
scissors
gift card or credit card to help measure

What you do 

Cut 4 pieces of tape, about 10" long, and lay them on the work surface, sticky side up.


Connect them all together by sticking the top of the second one, to the bottom of the first one, then connect the third to the second and the fourth to the third. 


Cut another piece, the same length, and press it sticky side to sticky side, against the bottom strip of tape.



 Continue with 3 more strips until you have a solid sheet made of tape. Use scissors to trim the ends.


Fold the sheet in half to resemble a wallet shape.


Fold it in half the other way to create a bi-fold wallet. If it's too large for your liking, you can trim more off the ends now. Don't trim too much, you will need room for credit card slots.


Cut a long strip of tape, about 18 inches long, and place it, sticky side up, on the work surface.


Cut another piece, the same length as the first, and tape it, sticky side down, onto the other piece (sticky to sticky).


Cut another 18" length and tear it in half lengthwise. Set aside one half and use the other half to create a smooth top seam on your long strip of tape.


Use the second half strip to do the other side. Trim the ends.


Using a credit card or gift card as a measuring guide, Cut the length of tape into "credit card pockets", leaving about 1/4" on each side of the card. 


Set the card aside and use the first one that you cut to use as a guide and cut three more, for a total of four.


Cut a piece of tape a little bit longer than the length of your wallet. Tear the strip in half and create smooth seams on both sides by taping one side, then flipping it over and folding the tape over to the other side.


With the tape sheet folded in half like a wallet, place the four credit card pockets in place.


Cut a piece of tape about 4" long and tear it in half lengthwise. Press the tape up the center, covering the pockets. Fold the end of the tape over only one layer, you don't want to tape your money pocket shut! Tuck it inside the wallet.


use similar sized pieces to cover the outer edges of the pockets, folding over to secure.


Use scissors to trim the ends.


Put a strip of tape across the bottom to secure the pockets.


Important: You will want to make sure that the back part of the wallet is slightly higher than the front so that when it is folded shut, it will look right.


Make sure you have taped all your edges. If necessary, use scissors to snip any closed tape at the edges of the paper-money pocket.


That's it! You just made a wallet completely out of duct tape (or Duck tape, whichever you chose to use)!



I'm participating in the following craft carnivals. To see some other awesome projects, be sure to visit them!

32 comments:

Dianna said...

I have seen duct tape crafts before, I believe it was someone on David Letterman show. The wallet is a cool idea for kids, mine will love it.

Kim @ seven thirty three said...

This is so funny! I'll have to make one for my uncle... he is the duct tape king!

Make sure you stop by on Thursday and link up with What are little boys made of?

Kim

Maria said...

How fun! Love this idea!

Rena said...

How fun! I'd love to see your other crafts for duct tape!

Sue Sparks said...

This would be good for my husband...He's the duct tape King!

Megan said...

I love all the colors that the tape comes in. A perfect project!

Deeba PAB said...

Creative and fun!!

Jen said...

We might just have to make this for my husband. I'm always teasing him telling him how he uses duck tape for everything. I actually made a no sew bag held together by staples and duck tape. You'd never know it!

Al said...

duck tape never looked so good

Amy Bowman said...

Duct tape wallets are so cool, my daughter has made a small fortune making and selling them to friends at school. She has begged me to do a post, so you are motivation to do one! She also makes purses and bookbags, even made a cute vest. She is really into it, and we are going broke on duct tape!!
Thanks for linking up to "AP Tuesdays!"
Could you do me a favor and link yours under crafts? It is on the same link page, just scroll down a bit. The post explains why... Thanks!!

Stephanie Lynn said...

Super cool! Thanks for the amazing tutorial! Always fabulous creativity here! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing at the Sunday Showcase Party! I greatly appreciate it! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

The Exchange said...

LOL! I love it! We may have to make one this weekend! Thanks so much, so fun!

Liz @ LivingMySweetLife said...

this is so cute! My almost 3 yo loves playing with wallets and I have been wanting to try and make one!

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

That would make such a cute project for kids for their dads for Father's Day! Thanks for linking up!!

Kitty Talk said...

Do you believe I actually have NO duck tape in my house!!! Or I would make one tonight after my kids went to bed. haha

Room to Inspire said...

This is a very creative project! And just think of all the different colors there are now in duct tape. Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired today!

Chelsea

Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com said...

Fun! I made duct tape wallets one year for all the guys in the family for Christmas. My dad still uses his (about 7 years later!)

creativejewishmom.com said...

Thanks so much for sharing this on Craft schooling Sunday, finally a great craft project that even big boys might enjoy!

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

That's just amazing. I guess duct tape really can do anything!

Thanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden!

Fawnda said...

Great job! it looks like fun to make and I be the teens love it! :)

Discovering Montessori said...

Very Resourceful. I just became a follower.

jennwa said...

We may have to make one for my husband for Father's Day.
Fun idea.

Laura said...

I loved making these!

I'm having a blog party tomorrow and I'd love it if you linked up!
http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com

KJ said...

Cute idea!! One of the blogs I follow this week had duct tape bows...I guess you REALLY can use duct tape for everything! haha

Jenn @ Delicious Ambiguity said...

Thanks for inspiring me this week on my Tot Tuesdays link up party! I used to do this when I was younger. I hope you’ll stop by again this week.

I’m hosting Yummy Mummy Week May 9th-16th and I’ve got a great group of ladies sharing their tips on fitness, fashion, parenting and relationships as well as a giveaway everyday. And I’d love for you to share a story and some photos of how your life and body have changed since becoming a mom. The Link up party starts on Mother’s Day and runs the whole week.

Have a great week and Happy (Early) Mother’s Day!

Alison said...

I'm beginning to think you can make ANYTHING with duct tape. Seriously!! I love it.

Alison
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/

Lori said...

O.K. I've seen it all now!!!!LOL I'm from the south and we do everything with duct (duck) tape. This is too cool....

Thanks for joining Get your Craft on Thursday. Please join me again for another great party.

Amanda said...

Thanks for all of your great comments everyone!!

Maria said...

thanks for the detailed instructions, this is such a great idea.

Allison @ House of Hepworths said...

Awesome! My son is going to love this tutorial!!! I'm going to show him and put him to work on his own wallet.

Thanks for Hookin' your project up at my weekly Link party!!!

Jessica Hills said...

This is WAY COOL! Thanks so much for sharing it with us on Favorite Things Friday! I just posted a giveaway on my blog so be sure to stop by before next Friday to be entered!

Kristi Flanagan said...

Too funny! My son was just asking me how to make one of these! Then you come along! Thank you for planting your creative seeds at Plant a Punkin Seed Party!

Come plant again on Friday!

Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions

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