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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.

diy vaccination record card holder ready for travel

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.vaccine record card holder standing

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

vaccination record card holder supplies

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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)

vaccination record card holder fabrics youll need

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.

vaccination record card holder fusing interfacing

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.

vaccination record card holder stitching lines

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.

vaccination record card holder pressing with iron

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.

vaccination record card holder for one person

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

vaccination record card holder for two people

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.

vaccination record card holder sewing vinyl

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 for two cards

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.

If you would like more projects like this then please hit the subscribe button and open yourself to a word of sewing idea with free patterns. All of us sewists have a stash of fabric left overs that are, “Just too beautiful to throw away!” or “Will come in useful one day.” Well, the day is here and we are overflowing with great projects that use up all those bits and pieces from your fabric treasure trove.

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 10 comments
Jean - May 21, 2021

What is that square of yellow you have on one side of the vaccination card holder. Does it have a purpose? Thank you for all your neat sewing projects, I enjoy them, it helped me get through this horrible pandemic. Keep up with your wonderful ideas.

Reply
    Helen - May 22, 2021

    Hi Jean, thank you so much for these kind words. It’s lovely to hear you like my sewing projects
    I stitched two fabrics together as I wanted to give the holder a pop of color so I can see it easily. This is NOT required, just something I thought would work well with this specific fabric

    Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - May 28, 2021

Thanks for sharing and linking with me, Helen!

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
Chickenruby - May 30, 2021

Lovely idea for going out to functions
Thanks for linking with #pocolo and hope to see you back soon.

Reply
Sarita - June 2, 2021

A pretty and useful pattern! Thanks for sharing at The Homestead Blog Hop!

Reply
Anne - June 2, 2021

It’s like you read my mind. I’ve been wanting to make a cardholder for my vaccination card but couldn’t find a tutorial. Thank you for this! I can’t wait to try it out.

Reply
LydiaF - June 3, 2021

A very timely project! I’ve seen a couple projects with clear vinyl I’d like to try. Appreciate the tip to use a teflon foot or painter’s tape. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg 🙂

Reply
Deb monroe - June 5, 2021

Very timely project good job

Reply
Janet - June 30, 2021

Is there not a downloadable. Pattern for the vaccation. Card Holder
Der ?

THANKS AGAIN,
JANET ?

Reply
Joyce - January 11, 2023

I’m appalled! This shouldn’t be something that people need. No one should be required to show a vaccine card. If people aren’t free to make their own choices about their bodies, then companies that require vaccine cards should not be in business! Wake up!! Our world should not be a police state!

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