DIY // Leather Card Case

Right now, I’m all about staying organized as well as keeping my stuff to a bare minimum. So, when the mood strikes to craft, I like to make something useful instead of just adding more stuff to my world. I made my own card case about a year ago, and the only thing better than the compliments I got was being able to respond with, “Oh, thanks, just a little something I made” (editor’s note: this really needs an emoji winky face).

It’s so satisfying (dare I say empowering?) to use something you made with your own hands on a daily basis. And while working with leather might sound intimidating, trust me — it’s easier than you think and can be one of the most rewarding mediums with which to craft.

To whip up a card case of your own, all you’ll need are a few things you can pick up from your local craft store:

Materials:

• leather
• collar button
• template (I downloaded mine from here)
• gold paint

Tools:

• X-ACTO knife
• metal ruler
• cutting mat
• leather punch
• pencil

Start by cutting out the card case template and positioning it on your piece of leather (after first checking on either side for any holes or imperfections). Then trace the outline of your template onto the leather with a colored pencil.

Carefully begin to cut it with the X-ACTO knife on your cutting mat. Use the ruler as a straight edge for your craft knife to make sure each side is straight.

Next, use your leather punch to make your holes: 3 smaller ones just big enough to fit the screw of your brass collar button through and 1 larger one on the top flap of your card case.

Assemble by putting the threaded part of your collar button through the three smaller holes and screwing on the top tightly. Cut a small slit from the hole on the top flap for easier opening ‚ just be sure to keep in mind you don’t want to cut too close to the edge for durability!

You can either leave it at that and enjoy your gorgeous, leather handmade card case or amp things up with a bit of hand painted gold. Have fun with it and get creative! I made a geometric look by taping off one side and painting with gold craft enamel — then went a little more modern/whimsical with a simple dot design.

Project and styling by Gwen McKenzie for Jojotastic.

Photography by Meghan Klein. 

Leave a comment and let us know what you think of this Leather Card Case tutorial! And if you make one, be sure to post a photo and tag @jojotastic on Instagram so we can see.