Crafting a Minimalist Bifold Wallet PM Classic
Every meaningful object starts with a clear intention — and honest materials. I wanted to create something functional, compact, and elegant. The result is a minimalist bifold wallet, featuring four card slots and a hidden cash compartment, crafted entirely by hand.
An Original Design, Born on Paper
This wallet is based on my original design, created and refined in my atelier. Before cutting the leather, I built a cardboard mule — a mock-up that helped me test proportions, fold lines, and the feel of the finished piece in the hand. Design, after all, is as much about subtraction as it is about form.
The Process: 100% Handmade
Every step was completed manually, with care and intention:
Cutting each piece with precision, following the natural direction of the grain.
Temporarily gluing layers to hold them for stitching.
Burnishing edges by hand to achieve smoothness and durability.
Saddle stitching using waxed thread, for a finish that’s both strong and symmetrical.
There are no shortcuts here — each detail is a conscious decision.
The Leather: Buttero Full-Grain, Vegetable-Tanned
I chose Buttero leather — a full-grain, vegetable-tanned hide from Tuscany, known for its firmness, smooth surface, and depth of tone. This tan color will age gracefully, darkening over time to develop a unique patina that reflects its journey. Each wallet tells its own story through use.
Dimensions and Weight
The finished wallet is light, slim, and quietly elegant:
Size: 11.5 × 9.5 × 0.8 cm (when empty)
Weight: 65 grams
It fits easily in a back or chest pocket, keeping only the essentials — nothing more, nothing less.
Final Thoughts
What may appear simple is often the hardest to make well. In the quiet of the workshop, surrounded by the scent of freshly cut leather and the rhythm of a needle passing through hide, each wallet becomes a small act of craftsmanship.
