Project reviews

Compact Accordion Wallet Review

Checkbook style or smartphone wallets too big? Minimalist wallets too small? There are some wallet styles that fit in between. This is a Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet review.

The purchase link for the Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet is:

Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet

This project is for personal use.

For the purposes of my review, I’m going to summarize the basic steps, tell you what I did differently (if anything) and share my general thoughts about sewing the project.

Introduction

My Mom and I are both need new wallets this year so I’m trying out some of the other wallet patterns in my collection. The Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet features card slots, a zippered pocket, and two sections for bills, coupons and or receipts. Optional features included additional card slots and a paneled body with wrist strap. This wallet is 6.0” wide by 3.5” high (16 cm wide x 9 cm). This is larger than the mini wallets and considerably smaller than the Necessary Clutch Wallet  I reviewed.

Step 0 Gather Materials

Quilting weight cotton, cork, medium weight fusible interfacing and heavy weight fusible interfacing are recommended. A #3 zipper and closure are also required. You will need additional hardware if you decide to make the wrist strap. I had some leftover heavy weight cotton and quilting weight cotton from my Necessary Clutch Wallet review. The heavy weight cotton is both thicker and stiffer than quilting weight so I the replaced heavy weight fusible interfacing with medium weight fusible interfacing. I selected a 19 mm magnetic clasp and white zipper.

Fabrics and a zipper
Materials
Step 1 Main Body

I followed the instructions for preparing the interior and exterior main body.

Step 2 Card Slots

This method for creating card slots is similar to the methods I’ve used previously. I wasn’t sure how many cards I would be able to get into three card slots, so I made the optional second card slot unit.

Fabric credit card slots for a wallet
Cardboard cards in a card slot assembly

I followed the instructions for sewing both card slot assemblies to the main body.

Step 3 Zippered Pocket

This method for finishing the top of the zipper tape was new to me.

Closeup of a coil zipper
Prepared open end of my zipper

A narrow zipper foot continues to be my preferred tool for sewing on zippers.

Narrow zipper foot sewing in a zipper
Using my narrow zipper foot
Step 4 Gussets

I followed the instructions for creating the gussets and attaching them to the main body.

Sewing machine sewing fabrics together
Sewing the gusset pieces on

Here are some photos of my finished Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet.

Front view of a fabric wallet
Front view of my wallet
side view of a wallet
Side view of my wallet
open fabric wallet
Interior view of my wallet
Conclusion

The author rates this project as moderate/confident beginner and I concur. The instructions are well illustrated and include lots of helpful tips. It’s easy to get good finishes with the card slot and zipper pocket instructions. The gusset technique was much easier than other gusset techniques I’ve used.

My Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet is is 5.5” wide by 3.5” high (14 cm wide x 9 cm). This is similar to the expected size. I suspect my seam allowance was larger than it should have been on the main body pieces. I recall double-checking my seam allowances a later step and thinking I was using a different line on my needle plate than before.

How many cards can you fit into three card slots? I wasn’t sure I could fit all my cards into so few card slots. They hold much more than I thought. If you’re willing to put more than a few cards into each slot, you can create a much slimmer wallet by sewing a single card slot assembly will reduce bulk.If you want to have one card per card slot, and you have a lot of cards, a larger wallet like the Necessary Clutch Wallet would be better.

I had a fun sewing this project.

Did you like this Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet review? Comment below and/or Pin me for later!

Tanya

Feb 15, 2025 update:

Here are some photos of my Compact Accordion Wallet with my Necessary Clutch Wallet and Mini Necessary Clutch Wallet. It’s considerably smaller than either clutch wallet. If you can get all of you cards into three card slots, your Compact Accordion Wallet will be thinner than mine.

Three wallets on a table
Necessary Clutch Wallet (top), Mini Necessary Clutch Wallet (middle) and Compact Accordion Wallet (bottom)
Three open wallets on a table
Open Necessary Clutch Wallet (top), Mini Necessary Clutch Wallet (middle) and Compact Accordion Wallet (bottom)

Tanya

poster showing a wallet and the text "Sewn By Tanya Project Review Spencer Ogg Compact Accordion Wallet"

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