What You'll Make and What You Need

A coin purse is a small pouch, usually 4 to 5 inches wide, that closes with a zipper or snap. You can sew one in an afternoon using fabric scraps you probably have at home. The finished purse holds coins, small keys, or a few cards without bulk.

Gather these materials before you start: two pieces of fabric cut to 5 by 6 inches (one for the outside, one for the lining), a 4-inch zipper, thread that matches your fabric, scissors, pins, and a needle or sewing machine. If you're using a machine, you'll also want a zipper foot—a special presser foot that lets you sew close to the zipper teeth without hitting them. A hand-sewing needle works fine if you don't have a machine; the whole project takes about 45 minutes to an hour by hand.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two fabric pieces to 5 by 6 inches and pin the zipper between them with the zipper pull facing inward, then sew along both long edges of the zipper.
  • Fold the sewn fabric so the zipper is at the top, pin the three remaining sides, and sew around them with a quarter-inch seam allowance, leaving a 2-inch gap on one side.
  • Turn the purse right-side out through the gap, press it flat with an iron, and hand-stitch the gap closed with a ladder stitch.
  • A zipper foot on a sewing machine makes attaching the zipper easier, but you can sew it by hand using small, even stitches about one-eighth inch from the zipper teeth.
  • Common mistakes include sewing the zipper upside down, pulling the fabric too tight when sewing, and forgetting to leave a turning gap before sewing the sides shut.

Preparing Your Fabric and Zipper

Start by cutting your two fabric pieces. Use a ruler and fabric scissors to cut one piece 5 inches wide by 6 inches tall from your outer fabric, and a second piece the same size from your lining fabric. If your fabric frays easily (like cotton), you can trim the edges with pinking shears to reduce fraying later, though it's not required for a small purse.

Lay your outer fabric piece flat on a table with the right side (the pretty side) facing up. Place the zipper on top of it so the zipper teeth run along one of the 5-inch edges, with the zipper pull pointing toward the center of the fabric. The zipper should sit about a quarter inch from the edge. Pin the zipper in place along both long sides, using three or four pins on each side to keep it from shifting.

Now lay your lining fabric on top, right side down, so the zipper is sandwiched between the two fabrics. Pin all three layers together along the same edge where the zipper sits. You should have the outer fabric on the bottom, zipper in the middle, and lining on top.

Sewing the Zipper to Both Fabric Pieces

If you're using a sewing machine, attach the zipper foot now. Thread your machine and set it to a straight stitch with a stitch length of about 2.5 millimeters. Position the fabric under the presser foot so the needle will sew about one-eighth inch from the zipper teeth—close enough to hold it firmly but far enough away that you won't hit the metal teeth and break your needle.

Sew slowly along the entire 5-inch edge, keeping the fabric straight and the stitches even. When you reach the zipper pull, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, slide the pull out of the way, lower the presser foot again, and continue sewing. After you finish one side, flip the whole sandwich over and sew the other long edge of the zipper the same way, using the same stitch line you made on the first side if possible.

If you're sewing by hand, use a running stitch: push the needle through all three layers about one-eighth inch from the zipper teeth, then back up through the layers about one-eighth inch away. Keep your stitches small and even, about the size of a grain of rice. Work slowly and don't pull the thread tight—tight stitches can pucker the fabric. Sew the entire length of both sides of the zipper, then tie off your thread with a knot on the inside.

Closing the Sides and Turning the Purse Right-Side Out

Open the zipper about halfway—this is important because you'll need to turn the purse right-side out through the opening, and a closed zipper will block you. Fold the fabric so the zipper is at the top and the two fabric pieces are facing each other, right sides together. The zipper should form the top seam of your purse. Pin the three remaining sides: the bottom and both sides.

Sew around these three sides with a quarter-inch seam allowance (that means one-quarter inch from the edge). Use a straight stitch on the machine or a running stitch by hand. When you reach each corner, stop with the needle down, pivot the fabric 90 degrees, and continue sewing. Sew all the way around, but stop about 2 inches before you reach your starting point—leave this 2-inch gap unsewn so you can turn the purse right-side out.

Trim the corners diagonally, cutting away the fabric triangle at each corner about one-quarter inch from the stitch line. This reduces bulk when you turn the purse and gives you sharp corners. Be careful not to cut into your stitches.

Reach through the 2-inch gap and grab the zipper pull from inside. Gently pull the entire purse through the gap, turning it right-side out. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the back of a spoon to push the corners out from the inside so they're sharp and square. Press the purse flat with an iron on low heat, paying special attention to the edges and the seams.

Closing the Gap and Finishing

Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric. Fold the raw edges of the 2-inch gap inward by about one-quarter inch and pin them closed. Use a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch) to close the gap: bring the needle up through one folded edge, slide it horizontally through the fold for about one-quarter inch, come back out, cross over to the opposite folded edge, slide the needle through that fold for one-quarter inch, and repeat. The thread runs inside the fold and is nearly invisible from the outside.

After you've closed the entire gap, tie off your thread with a knot on the inside and trim the excess. Your coin purse is finished. Open the zipper fully and test it a few times to make sure it moves smoothly. If the zipper is stiff, rub a graphite pencil along the teeth a few times—the graphite acts as a lubricant.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is sewing the zipper upside down so the pull faces outward instead of inward. Always check before you start sewing that the zipper pull is pointing toward the center of the fabric, not toward the edge. If you catch this before you sew, straightforward unpin and flip the zipper.

Another frequent error is pulling the fabric too tight while sewing, which puckers the seams and makes the purse look wavy. Let the machine or your hand do the work—guide the fabric gently without forcing it. If you're sewing by hand, don't pull the thread tight after each stitch; keep it just snug enough to hold the layers together.

Forgetting to leave the 2-inch turning gap is a serious problem because you'll have no way to turn the purse right-side out without ripping seams. Mark the gap with pins before you sew so you don't forget it. Similarly, forgetting to open the zipper before turning the purse will trap you—you won't be able to pull the fabric through. Open it halfway as soon as you finish sewing the sides.

Variations and Next Steps

Once you've made one coin purse, you can experiment with different fabrics and closures. Try cotton prints, linen, or even lightweight denim. Instead of a zipper, you can use a snap closure or a magnetic clasp—both are sewn on by hand after the purse is finished. You can also add a small loop of ribbon or cord at the top so you can attach the purse to a keychain.

If you want to make the purse larger, cut your fabric pieces to 6 by 8 inches instead of 5 by 6, and use a 5-inch zipper. The steps stay exactly the same. Some sewers like to add a layer of interfacing (a stiff fabric) between the outer and lining fabrics to give the purse more structure—if you want to try this, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the outer fabric before you start, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a coin purse without a sewing machine?

Yes. Use a running stitch by hand, keeping stitches small and even. The process takes longer—about 45 minutes to an hour instead of 20 minutes—but the result is just as strong. Hand-sewing is actually easier for attaching the zipper because you have more control and don't have to worry about hitting the metal teeth with a needle.

What kind of zipper should I use?

A 4-inch metal or plastic coil zipper works best for a coin purse. Avoid separating zippers (the kind that come apart completely) because they're designed for jackets. Metal zippers are more durable but plastic ones are lighter and just as reliable for a small purse. Make sure the zipper is at least 4 inches long so it spans the width of your purse.

My zipper is stiff and hard to open. What should I do?

Rub a graphite pencil along the zipper teeth on both sides, then slide the pull back and forth several times. The graphite lubricates the teeth and makes the zipper glide smoothly. If the zipper is still stuck, try rubbing a bar of soap along the teeth instead.

Can I add padding to make the purse sturdier?

Yes. Use a thin batting or fleece as your lining instead of regular fabric, or fuse interfacing to the wrong side of both your outer and lining fabrics before you start. This adds structure without making the purse bulky. Fusible interfacing is easiest—just follow the package directions to iron it on.

What do I do if I sew the zipper in crooked?

If the zipper is slightly off but still functional, you can leave it—small imperfections won't affect how the purse works. If it's badly crooked or the stitches are uneven, carefully cut the stitches with a seam ripper, remove the zipper, and sew it again. This is easier than it sounds because you're only removing a few inches of stitching.