How to Sew a Vaccination Record Card Holder for 1 or 2 people
Learn how to make your own vaccination record card holder. The card is not made from a durable plastic, because there may be changes and updates. It’s a bit of cardboard that needs protecting, otherwise you just know that it’s going to get crumpled, and maybe lost. The vaccine card holder has place for two cards. Perfect for two people travelling together. If you are travelling solo, you can always use the other pocket for a photo or another card that will fit the space. If you prefer you can make space for just one card. I would suggest using a durable brightly colored fabric for the outer, just so you can locate it easily in a purse with its pop of color.
A fabric with a travel theme would be ideal – beach umbrellas, flamingos, even words in various languages would be great – see what you can find in the stores or online or dig into your fabric stash. The lining can be a print or plain – also reasonably durable, as the card will need slide in and out. A durable cotton for the lining and a décor weight fabric suitable for curtaining for the outer would be best. The stiffness to the holder is supplied by the 12+ gauge clear vinyl and the fusible interfacing. The minimum advised is a 12-gauge clear vinyl but you can go up to a 20 gauge for extra resilience.
Below you will find my step by step vaccination record card holder written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.
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How to make a vaccination card holder for 1 or 2 people
Immunization Card Holder Supplies and tools
- 2 pieces of cotton fabric for the outer and the lining
- Fusible Interfacing
- Clear vinyl, 12+ gauge
- matching thread
- scissors (or rotary cutter and a cutting mat)
- ruler or measuring tape
- iron and ironing board
- sewing clips or pins
- sewing machine
- Teflon foot (optional)
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How to Sew a vaccine card holder
Watch the diy vaccination card holder video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
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Vaccine card holder VIDEO TUTORIAL
VACCINE CARD HOLDER INSTRUCTIONS:
STEP 1: Cut fabrics
Cut the fabrics:
- 2 pieces of cotton fabric 8 x 5” (20 x 12.5cm) for the outer and the lining
- Fusible Interfacing 7.5 x 4.5” (18.5 x 11 cm)
- Clear vinyl, 12+ gauge 3 ½” x 4 ½” (9 x 11.5cm) for the single card holder (or two of these if making the double vaccine card holder)
TIP: before you cut the fabrics for the vaccine card protector, make sure to prewash and iron the fabrics
STEP 2: Fuse interfacing
Pick the piece used for the lining, and with the wrong side facing upwards, fuse the interfacing to it, according to the interfacing manufacturer’s instructions.
STEP 3: Pin
Next place the lining with fused interfacing and the outer fabric on top of each other with right sides facing each other and pin on the wrong side, to ensure the pieces don’t move when stitching.
STEP 4: Stitch around the vaccine card holder
Stitch along the edges of the rectangle leaving ¼ inch seam allowance, making sure not to lift the foot of the machine when you change direction on the corners. Leave an opening of about 1 ½ inches in the middle of one long side of the rectangle. This is so you can turn the vaccine holder right way out.
STEP 5: Snip corners and turn around
Clip the edges across the corners to remove bulk from the fabric, taking care not to snip too close to the stich line.
Turn the vaccine holder right way out by pulling the fabric through the opening. Use a knitting needle or a chop stick to ensure the corners are turned out neatly and lie flat.
STEP 6: Press
Press the rectangle with a steam iron, so the edges are neat and the 1 ½ inch raw edge where you turned the fabric is turned under ¼ inch and pressed flat.
STEP 8: Place vinyl on top
Variation 1: CARD HOLDER FOR 1 person:
Lay your rectangle out with the lining facing you and place the clear vinyl piece(s) in position. If you are doing a card holder for one person you will need just one piece of clear vinyl, and if you are doing for two people you will need a piece of clear vinyl on each side.
Variation 2: CARD HOLDER FOR 2 people:
The opening to extract the card or cards will be towards the center fold of the holder – this is to prevent the cards accidentally falling out. Place your clear vinyl on the short side of the rectangle, in the landscape position, ensuring it fits neatly in position
STEP 7: Topstitch
Top stitch around the edge of the holder 1/8 inch from the edge all the way around. Start just below the middle crease, making sure to back tack where you start and finish as this is where the vinyl will take some strain as you pull the card out and replace it each time an official wants to see proof of vaccination.
Voila! The vaccination record card holder is ready for use!
This is an easy project using left-over pieces of fabric. It is something useful you could make for the older generation, as they are the ones getting vaccinated first, being at greater risk for complications resulting from the virus. So, get busy making for grandma and grandpa, and your parents first. The brighter the colors for the holder, the easier it will be for them to locate their cards. Personalize them as far as possible. Let’s says your dad loves going on fishing trips then a holder with a fish inspired print would remind him of his passion, or your mom loves cocktails on the beach – a beachy themed print would get her raring to grab her vaccine card and go. Get ready to watch them beam when they receive them – and when you give the gift, suggest a safe place for storage and make a note of it so when mom or grandma call and say “I can’t remember where I put my vaccine card!” you can help out.
Vaccine Card Holder FAQs, Tips and Troubleshooting:
Q: Can I make a vaccine card holder for 4 cards so the family has them all together?
A: Yes you can. One method is to double the size of the rectangle’s width to 8” x 10” and follow the instructions above, except now you will have a bigger vaccine card holder with place for 4 cards – two on the top and two on the bottom. OR, you can make TWO two-card holders, but add an extra inch to the long side of the rectangle of the one to 9 x 5 inches, but not the other, allowing you to place two 2-person card holders, the one nestled inside the one that has a slightly longer length to enable you to stitch the one to the other along the center fold, and enable them to close neatly, so you are creating a booklet.
Q: Can I make the vaccine holder from felt?
A: You can, but it would not be washable. The fabric ones can be washed when the cover gets grimy.
Q: How do I stop the machine foot from slipping on the vinyl?
A: If you don’t have a Teflon machine foot you can always place a small piece of painter’s tape on the base of your sewing machine foot to give a better grip when sewing clear vinyl on top of the vaccine card protector.
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