The first step involves acquiring the necessary materials and proper tools. It is best to get everything prepared and set-up before commencing because you become free to progress without unnecessary interruptions.

Now that you have all of the tools and materials, we can jump right into the project. Let's cut the fabric to size. We allowed an additional 1/2" on all edges to make seams around the entire perimeter. Using an iron we pleated a small amount (1/4" or 5mm) of the edge inward, and then folded it again (an additional 1/4" or 5mm) - this technique will prevent any unsightly fraying. You can start with a piece of fabric 17" x 19 1/2" (43 x 49cm) and after making seams on all edges, the dimensions should be 16" x 18 1/2" (41 x 47cm).

Next, we need to sew the pouches that will hold the disks. We are going to create these pouches by sewing them inside out first. Position the fabric on a worksurface with the seams pointing down the short end of the rectangle facing you. Fold 4" (10cm) of the top over the rest of the fabric and do the same for the bottom. Note that at this point, the seams will be visible. Iron a crease to hold the fabric in these locations or use pins to hold it properly. Next sew along the edges to create two large pockets in the fabric as shown by the dashed red lines in the graphic on the right. You can sew just the pockets or you can sew along the entire length as shown.

Now, just flip the two pockets inside out and flatten everything out. Using the graphic on the right as your guide sew two sets of two lines from top to bottom as shown by the red lines in the graphic on the right. We measured with a measuring tape and ironed in a crease so that we could make a accurately straight sew-lines. These two lines should be about 1/4" (6mm) apart so that you will be able to fold the wallet without the edges of the disks interfering with eachother. The 5 1/8" (13cm) will be enough to securely hold the disks but rendering them easy to insert and remove.

Using the disk wallet

storing

Slide up to six disks into the wallet, one in each pouch. If you want to store more than six disks see the design considerations section below.

folding the wallet

To fold the wallet, simply fold one half over the other: this prevents the disks from falling out. Then, fold in the other direction creating a Z-fold as shown in the graphic on the right.

design considerations

The disk wallet that we show in the plan is just a basic version; there are many options and embellishments that you can include.

fabric

You can use any fabric you like but it should be durable enough and rigid enough so that it isn't too flimsy. Softer fabric is best so that you don't scratch the disks.

additions

We kept our wallet free from any additions to make for a sleek and elegant design. You can add a ribbon or other fastener to keep the wallet in the closed position. Other decorations can also be added on the inside or outside of the wallet.

size

The size of the disks themselves limits the sizing options. We have found that the dimensions given in the plan suitably hold a disk without making it too difficult to insert and remove them from the pouches. You can increase the number of pouches, but increasing this number beyond eight, would probably not be too convenient because it would become increasingly difficult to unfold the wallet. A better way to increase the capacity is described in the following section.

capacity of wallet

One way to change the capacity of the wallet it to increase or decrease the number of pouches. This technique remains functional from about two to eight pouches; anymore than that would not be very practical. The best way to increase capacity is to increase the number of disks held within each pouch. You can also sew small pieces of fabric to fit between disks within each pouch to act as a spacer and prevent scratching. Another method is to sew one or two pieces of fabric along the entire width of the pouches. These pieces of fabric would have to be seamed of course, but they would easily allow you to double or triple the capacity of the wallet. If you plan on storing many disks in each pouch, you will need to increase the distance between the pairs of sew-lines made in step 4 to accommodate for the increased thickness of the disks; failing to do so will prevent you from being able to fold the wallet into the closed position.