A while ago I made this RFID blocking card sleeve. The new credit cards with chips transmit info to the card reader in a “contactless manner”. Research has shown that although they are not supposed to transmit more than 10cm (4″) away, they actually can be picked up a metre away. Though Sophos security seems to doubt the efficacy of RFID blocking sleeves, I have tried using my card at a “tap and go terminal” inside the sleeve and it blocked it completely so I’m quite happy with it. I thought you might like to make your own too.
What you’ll need
Two pieces of fabric (preferably batik), some Wonder Under (or similar), some Aluminium foil (the strongest you can buy) and some credit cards (the number you plan to store in the wallet).
Step One
Cut your two fabrics and your Aluminium foil to 5″ x 51/2″, and your Wonder Under to 5″ x 11″.
Step Two
Fold your Wonder Under in half, with the glue side inwards and slide your foil in between and iron both the back and the front so that the foil is sandwiched and fused completely.
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Step Three
Peel the paper backing off the foil on one side.
Step Four
After removing the paper from one side, lie one of your pieces of fabric onto the glue side of the foil and press with an iron (no steam).
Step Five
Then remove the paper from the other side and lay the second piece of fabric on top and press with a hot iron.
Step Six
Grab the number of credit cards you are planing to put in the wallet. Fold the wallet in half, lay the cards inside and then with an “add a quarter” ruler place the centre line on the edge of the card and then draw a line at the quarter inch mark.
Step Six
Remove the cards and sew along the marked seam lines.
Step Seven
Trim the side seams and then place a card onto the wallet and fold the wallet top over to desired height. Because we used batiks there is no fraying so we don’t need a top seam. Then trim off the excess along the fold and reinforce the top of the seams by sewing back and forth a couple of times.
Step Eight
Turn the wallet inside out. Pushing the corners out with your fingers. (Don’t use any sharp tools or you may tear the foil.) Then press the wallet flat and pop in the cards!
As you can see I haven’t used credit cards here and these cards don’t have chips so don’t need the RFID wallet. This is just for illustration purposes.
I’d love to hear how you go if you decide to make your own.
