The completed wristlet bag. Texas Cork Company

DIY: How to Make a Cork Wristlet Pouch

April 25, 2025

If you've never sewn with cork before, don't be scared or afraid to try. It's easy and a lot of fun! This project is a very easy project, making it perfect for the first time trying cork. If you've purchased a kit from the Texas Cork Company booth at a Pinners Conference or other market, we've done some of the steps for you and included a fully assembled wristlet strap, just to help you speed things up.

Materials Needed:

(2) Pieces of Cork Fabric: 8.5" x 5.5" (Main Body)
(2) Pieces of Cork Fabric: 1.25” x 1.25” (Zipper Tabs)
(1) Piece of Cork Fabric: .75” x 1.25” (D-Ring Tab)
(1) D-Ring
(1) #5 Zipper Tape (7.25”)
(1) Zipper Pull
(1) Cork Wristlet Strap
Matching or ContrastingThread
Sewing Machine (Walking Foot Recommended)
Heavy duty needle (Denim, Leather, or 100/16 Recommended)
Clips (to avoid holes in cork)

TIPS:

Use a heavier needle such as a Denim or Leather needle when using the heavier cork.
You can use regular all purpose sewing thread for your project. We prefer to use a heavier thread for topstitching, but all purpose thread will work as well.
A stitch length of 3.5 is adequate for seams and for top-stitching.
For larger projects a walking foot is ideal, but not required.
Because sewing with cork is similar to sewing with paper, use clips rather than pins to hold your pieces together.
Slow down as you sew, especially over multiple layers of heavy cork.
Once the hole is there, it's there. Cork does not self heal like many other fabrics.
The sewing machine can be a very lightweight or a heavy duty or even an industrial machine. It really depends on the project, the cork weight, and the sewing machine itself.

Step 1: Prepare the Zipper

Attach the zipper pull to the zipper tape if not pre-assembled.

Take the two 1.25” x 1.25” cork pieces (zipper tabs) and fold in half.
Place one zipper tab on each end of the zipper, sandwiching the tape between the folded edges. Clip in place.
Stitch across the tabs about ⅛” from the edge to secure them.
- When sewing with cork, it is recommended that you use a walking foot or at minimum sew slowly.

Step 2: Attach the Zipper to the Main Panels

Using a lighter, quickly burn the top edge of both pieces of cork. Be careful not to scorch it, you are just burning frays off the very edge. Move quickly with the flame.
Mark the center of the zipper and each piece of cork on the long edge.
Place one main body piece right side up.
Center the zipper, teeth facing up, under the top edge of the cork leaving about 1/8” between the top of the cork and the teeth of the zipper.
Using a zipper foot or regular sewing foot, sew using a ⅛” seam allowance

Place the second main body piece right side up, on the zipper tape leaving about 1/8” between the top of the cork and the teeth of the zipper.
Sew using a ⅛” seam allowance, using a zipper foot or regular sewing foot.

Step 3: Attach the D-Ring Tab

Take the .75" x 1.25" cork piece and fold it in half
Slide the D-ring onto the folded tab.

Stitch ⅛” from the raw edge to secure the D-ring.

Place the D-ring tab on the left side of the pouch, aligning raw edges with the side of the cork panel, about ½” down from the zipper. Clip in place.

Step 4: Assemble the Wristlet Pouch

Open the zipper halfway to allow turning later.
Place the two main body pieces right sides together, aligning edges. Ensure the zipper tabs and D-ring tab are positioned correctly.

Sew around the pouch using a ¼” seam allowance, slowly backstitching over the zipper and D-ring tab. Be sure to feel through the cork and not sew on top of the D-ring as you will break your needle.