6. The Laser-Cut or Hand-Punched Trio Wallet
The trio wallet is a clever design consisting of three stacked pockets of cascading heights, allowing you to easily see and access different cards. While cutting these curved, cascading pockets by hand requires a steady touch, it is an excellent way to build confidence with your cutting tools. Alternatively, you can use pre-made acrylic templates to trace and cut perfect curves every time.
To assemble the trio wallet, you stack the three pockets on top of a back panel, aligning them at the bottom. Because you are sewing through multiple layers of leather at the bottom edge, this project teaches you how to punch stitching holes through thicker assemblies. Using a stitching chisel or pricking iron is essential here to keep your holes straight on both the front and back of the wallet. Once stitched, the stepped pockets create a beautiful visual gradient, especially if you use slightly different shades of leather for each pocket.