Make a Needlepoint Wallet with Bargello in an Afternoon!

Wallets with covered openings in front (usually designed to hold a picture or your driver’s license) are popular these days. That opening in front can easily hold a small piece of needlepoint. I made this wallet, start to finish, yesterday afternoon.

Literally you could buy a wallet this morning, use a scrap of canvas, and have a finished accessory for yourself or a friend tonight!

Begin by getting a wallet. You will want one which has a clear pocket on the outside. The recent Dallas Market had a great thin pouch wallet that’s exactly what you want for this. While this is perfect, your shop may not have them. In that case you’ll want a wallet that has at least two windows, one on the outside. The second window is for your ID. These can take some time to find. If having your ID in a window isn’t critical, you can buy a wallet with one outside window. These are very easy to find.

Begin by assembling your materials:

• wallet
• 6″ x 6″ piece of canvas (I used 18 mesh)
• permanent marker
• credit card
• needle
• threads of your choice

Trace the credit card outline onto the canvas (the openings are designed for them, so it’s a perfect fit) using the permanent marker.

Find the middle of the canvas and begin to stitch.

I used this simple Bargello swag pattern. I stitched every other line in an overdyed thread. The other lines alternated between light (Flair) and dark (velour and Petite Frosty Rays).

Once you have finished stitching, trim your needlepoint. Leave a one thread margin at top and bottom and a two thread margin on the sides. The needlepoint just slips in.

If you want to make it permanent, use a sticky film (available at craft stores) or extra strong double-sided tape to fasten it into the pocket. You could also glue the pocket up.

Now to transfer all my stuff and I’m ready to go.