A coin purse takes two fabric pieces, thread, and about an hour

A basic coin purse is one of the fastest sewing projects you can finish. You need two pieces of fabric roughly 4 inches by 5 inches, thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, and a coin purse frame or zipper (optional—you can sew it closed instead). The whole project takes between 45 minutes and an hour, and you do not need to know how to use a pattern or measure precisely.

The simplest version uses two fabric rectangles sewn together on three sides, turned right-side out, and then hand-stitched closed. If you want a zipper or frame, you add that step before closing the final seam. Either way, the process is the same: cut, sew, turn, and finish.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two pieces of fabric to roughly 4 by 5 inches—exact measurements do not matter for a basic purse.
  • Sew three sides of the fabric together with a quarter-inch seam allowance, leaving one short end open.
  • Turn the purse right-side out through the opening, then press the seams flat with your fingers or an iron.
  • Hand-stitch the opening closed with a ladder stitch, or insert a zipper or frame before closing if you want a closure.
  • A sewing machine cuts the time in half, but hand sewing works just as well and requires no setup.

Cutting and preparing your fabric

Start by cutting two rectangles of fabric. Aim for roughly 4 inches wide by 5 inches tall, but the exact size does not matter—a quarter-inch difference will not affect the finished purse. If you are using a fabric with a pattern or direction (like stripes or a print), cut both pieces so the pattern runs the same way on each one.

Place the two pieces together with the right sides facing each other—this means the pretty side of the fabric is on the inside, and the back or wrong side is facing out. This is important because when you turn the purse right-side out later, the seams will be hidden on the inside. Pin the pieces together if you have pins, or just hold them steady in your hands.

Sewing three sides closed

You will sew around three sides of the rectangle, leaving one short end (one of the 4-inch sides) open. This opening is how you will turn the purse right-side out later. Sew about a quarter-inch from the edge—that is roughly the width of your pinky nail. If you are using a machine, set it to a straight stitch and sew slowly so the seam stays even. If you are hand-sewing, use a running stitch: push the needle in and out of the fabric in a straight line, making stitches about an eighth-inch long.

Start at one corner of the opening and sew down the first long side, across the bottom, and up the other long side. Stop about a quarter-inch from the second corner of the opening. Tie off your thread by knotting it on the inside, or backstitch a few times if you are using a machine. Do not sew the opening closed yet—you need it open to turn the purse.

Turning and pressing the seams

Reach into the opening and grab the fabric from the inside. Gently pull the whole purse through the opening so the right side (the pretty side) is now facing out. Use your fingers to push the corners out so they are sharp and square, not rounded. If you have an iron, press the seams flat with it on low heat, or just run your fingers along the seams a few times to flatten them.

At this point you have a flat rectangle with the seams hidden on the inside. The opening is still raw—the cut edges are exposed. Before you close it, decide whether you want a straightforward closure or a zipper or frame.

Closing the opening with a ladder stitch

The ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch) closes the opening so neatly that the seam is almost invisible. Thread a needle and knot the end. Bring the needle up through the fold of fabric on one side of the opening, so the knot stays hidden inside the fold. Slide the needle along inside the fold for about a quarter-inch, then push it back out through the fold.

Cross to the opposite side of the opening and push the needle back in through the fold, directly across from where you came out. Slide the needle inside the fold again for a quarter-inch, then come back out. Keep going back and forth across the opening, staying inside the fold each time. Every few stitches, gently pull the thread so the opening closes. When you reach the end, tie the knot inside the fold and trim the thread. The opening will close so smoothly that it looks like part of the original seam.

Adding a zipper before closing

If you want a zippered purse, insert the zipper before you sew the opening closed. After you turn the purse right-side out and press the seams, lay it flat. Open the zipper and position it so the teeth run along the opening, with the zipper pull facing into the purse. Pin or hold the zipper tape (the fabric part on either side of the teeth) to the raw edges of the opening.

Using a sewing machine or hand-sewing, stitch the zipper tape to both sides of the opening. A machine works better here because the stitches need to be close to the teeth without catching them. Sew slowly and carefully. Once both sides are stitched, the purse is finished—the zipper holds everything together.

Using a coin purse frame instead

A metal frame with two hinged sides is another way to finish a coin purse. These frames have small holes along the top edge where you sew the fabric to the frame. Before you close the opening, fold the top edge of the purse inward by about half an inch and press it flat. Align the fold with the holes in the frame and hand-stitch the fabric to the frame using a needle and thread, going through each hole.

Once the frame is attached to both sides of the purse, close the opening with a ladder stitch as described above. The frame gives the purse structure and a finished, professional look.

Hand-sewing versus a sewing machine

A sewing machine cuts the time roughly in half and makes the seams more even, but hand-sewing is just as durable and often looks better on a small project like this. Hand-sewing also means you do not have to thread a machine or learn how to use one. If you hand-sew the three sides and use a ladder stitch to close the opening, the whole purse takes about an hour and uses only a needle, thread, and scissors.

If you use a machine for the three sides and hand-sew the opening, you get speed and precision where it matters most (the main seams) and a nearly invisible closure. Either way, the finished purse is strong enough to hold coins, keys, or small items for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of fabric should I use?

Cotton, linen, or quilting cotton work well and are straightforward to sew. Avoid stretchy fabrics like jersey or knits unless you are comfortable with them. If your fabric is thin, you can sew two layers together to make it thicker, or use interfacing (a stiff backing you iron onto the fabric) to add body.

Do I need a pattern?

No. A coin purse is just a rectangle, so you can cut any size you want. Aim for something between 3 by 4 inches and 5 by 6 inches so it fits in a pocket. Larger purses take the same time to sew but use more fabric.

What thread should I use?

Any thread works. Matching thread blends in; contrasting thread shows as a design detail. For hand-sewing, use thread labeled for hand-sewing or all-purpose thread. For a machine, use all-purpose polyester or cotton thread.

Can I make a purse without a zipper or frame?

Yes. A purse closed with a ladder stitch works fine and looks clean. You can also sew the opening closed with a regular running stitch if you do not mind a visible seam, or add a small button and loop for a decorative closure.

How do I keep the corners sharp when I turn it right-side out?

Push them out gently with your finger or the blunt end of a pencil. Do not poke too hard or you will tear the fabric. If you have an iron, pressing the seams flat also helps the corners stay crisp.