Camp craft: DIY duct tape wallets

Three handmade duct tape wallets, photo

I volunteered as a crafts director at a girls camp last month. So, for the past few months, I’ve been preparing all the crafts and buying supplies for about 90 teenage girls to make cool stuff. I’ve kept the projects secret in case any of the girls read my blog, but now I’ll fill you in. These are the projects we made this year: duct tape wallets, resin pendant necklaces, alphabet fleece pillows, yo yo headbands and pins, door name plates, and paracord bracelets. I think the girls had as much fun making them as I did. And so can you because I’m going to share all the tutorials. (This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.)

At girls camp making wallets, photo

After girls camp, I needed a couple weeks to recover. Now I’m back. I planned to take lots of photos at camp, but instead I ended up spending every moment teaching the girls how to make duct tape wallets. By the end of the week, I was sick of duct tape wallets. But the girls loved them, so it was worth it. A friend sent me these photos that she took at camp. Those are my hands in the gray sweatshirt in the photo above.

Green quonset hut, photo

The green tarp roof on the makeshift quonset hut that we called the Craft Shack made everything look green tinted. And the green tablecloths didn’t help either. It reminded me of the Mr. Big song “Green Tinted Sixties Mind.”

Kristi and girls making wallets at girls camp, photo

Anyway, duct tape wallets are certainly not a new thing, and I probably don’t need to tell many of you how to make one. But when I was searching for instructions online, I couldn’t find one easy-to-follow tutorial for a simple duct tape wallet. Plus, friends have asked me for the instructions for my wallet design. Though I developed this pattern myself, I’m told it’s not exactly original, but here it is. This wallet takes about 45 minutes to make.

How to make a duct tape wallet

SUPPLIES & TOOLS
Supplies to make a duct tape wallet, photo
MAIN FABRIC INSTRUCTIONS
Duct tape wallets, step #1, photo

1. Tear off four pieces of tape that are at least 9 inches long. (Don’t use scissors. Don’t use your knife. Rip it!) Place them sticky-side-up on your cutting surface. Stick them to each other (front-to-back), overlapping about ½ inch.

Duct tape wallets, step #2, photo

2. Tear off four more pieces the same length. Starting about ½ inch from the top, adhere one piece at a time (back-to-back). The last piece should overlap about ½ inch. (The reason you start ½-inch down is to stagger the thicker parts of the duct tape “fabric” you’re making. If you don’t, some parts of the fabric will be four layers thick, which is difficult to fold.)

Duct tape wallets, step #3, photo

3. Fold over the top and bottom edges. Your fabric should now be about 6 inches tall.

Duct tape wallets, step #4, photo

4. Using your ruler and knife, cut a clean edge on the left side. Always use your ruler when cutting with your knife.

Duct tape wallets, step #5, photo

5. Then measure 8 ½ inches and trim the other edge. Set aside.

CREDIT CARD POCKET INSTRUCTIONS
Duct tape wallets, step #6, photo

6. Tear off two pieces of tape about 5 inches long. Overlap them the same as step 1.

Duct tape wallets, step #7, photo

7. Tear off two more 5-inch pieces and adhere the same as step 2.

Duct tape wallets, step #8, photo

8. Fold over the top and bottom edges the same as step 3. This large pocket should be about 3 inches tall.

Duct tape wallets, step #9, photo

9. Using your ruler and knife, cut a clean edge on the left side.

Duct tape wallets, step #10, photo

10. Then measure 4 inches and trim the other edge. Set aside.

Duct tape wallets, step #11, photo

11. Tear off two pieces that are about 9 inches long. Stick them directly back-to-back.

Duct tape wallets, step #12, photo

12. Cut this double-sided piece into two 4-inch long pieces. These are your smaller pockets.

Duct tape wallets, step #13, photo

13. Tear off a 5-inch piece of tape. Rip it lengthwise down the middle. (Yes, I said rip it. Fast. You can do it. Don’t worry if it’s not exactly down the middle.)

Duct tape wallets, step #14, photo

14. Use two of the ripped pieces to make a top border on each of the small pockets. Tape the top edge, then fold over. Trim the excess.

Duct tape wallets, step #15, photo

15. Tear off a 4-inch piece of tape. Rip it lengthwise down the middle.

Duct tape wallets, step #16, photo

16. Stack the pockets on top of each other. Stagger the height of the two smaller ones evenly.

Duct tape wallets, step #17, photo

17. Place a credit card on top of the stacked pockets to make sure you leave enough space for your cards. Using one of your ripped pieces, tape the left side of your pockets right up to the edge of the credit card. Fold it over to the back side and trim the excess with your ruler and knife. Do not tape the right side yet.

ID WINDOW INSTRUCTIONS
Duct tape wallets, step #18, photo

18. Use another ripped piece to tape the right edge of your window. Fold it over and trim the excess. Do not tape any other edge yet. Set aside.

FINAL ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Duct tape wallets, step #19, photo

19. Fold your main fabric in half lengthwise. Make sure the height of your pockets, window, and wallet are all the same height (3 inches). If not, trim them as necessary.

Duct tape wallets, step #20, photo

20. Unfold the main fabric. Place the window and pockets in opposite upper corners of your main fabric. Rip a 9-inch piece of tape lengthwise. Option 1: Use one piece to tape the top edge all the way across. Or option 2: Using your knife and ruler, cut one of the pieces in half endwise. Tape the window down, lining up the cut edge with the right side of the window. Then tape the pockets down, lining up the cut edge with the left side of the pockets. Trim off the excess.

Duct tape wallets, step #21, photo

21. Tear off another 4-inch piece of tape. Rip it lengthwise down the middle.

Duct tape wallets, step #22, photo

22. Refold your main fabric. Place a credit card on top of the pockets. Using one of the ripped pieces, tape the right side of your wallet right up against the edge of your credit card. Fold it over the entire wallet. Trim the excess with your knife.

Duct tape wallets, step #23, photo

23. Tape the left edge (window side) of your wallet the same way. Trim the excess.

Duct tape wallets, step #24, photo

24. Following either option 1 or 2 in step 20, tape the bottom edge the same way. This piece will show on the outside of your wallet, so follow option 1 if you want a contrasting border. (You can cut out a notch on the inside, if you prefer.)

Duct tape wallets, step #25, photo

25. Fold your wallet in half endwise, then press it flat.

Duct tape wallets, step #26, photo

26. Add decoration with duct tape as desired. You’re done!

Duct tape wallets, step #27, photo

27. Load it with your money and cards or give it as a gift.

Crafty Nest camp craft duct tape wallets Pinterest image

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Made this project? Email your photo(s) to monica (at) craftynest (dot) com, and I’ll share your version here!