Helping you create a home by hand.

Coin Purse Tutorial and Free Pattern

Today I’m sharing the pattern and tutorial for the half circle sew in frame coin purses that I posted on Tuesday as part of the UR Priceless Coin Purse Blog Hop.

Click here to access and print the free pattern.

Be sure to set your printer to print at actual size or no scaling.   The size and shape of frame that I used with this pattern has been traced onto one of the pattern pieces.  If your frame matches, the purse should fit into the frame with minimal easing.   If your frame isn’t the same size, you may have to adjust the pattern to fit.

Dave and I did several test prints but please let me know in the comments if you have any problems printing out the pattern.

Next:

Cut two Pattern Piece #1 from main fabric and two from lining fabric.

Cut one Pattern Piece #2 (gusset) from main fabric or a coordinating fabric and one from lining fabric

Cut two fusible batting (<-affiliate link) from Pattern Piece #3 and one from Pattern Piece #4.

Transfer markings to the wrong side of your fabrics.  This can be done with a pencil or tracing paper.   Or you could make a tiny snip at each mark; just be sure not to cut too far into the seam allowance.

Fuse batting to wrong side of the fabric you’re using for the outside of your purse.

Notice that the batting pieces are 1/4″ smaller all the way around than the fabric pieces. This allows for less bulk in the seam allowance making the top of the purse fit into the frame easily. It also makes for easier sewing of the purse itself and a smoother looking finish.

Matching markings, pin the gusset to the body of coin purse.

As you can see, I use lots of pins to secure the two pieces together.

I recommend that you pin with the gusset facing towards you.   Begin by matching the bottom center of the main piece to the center of the gusset.  Then pin the mark at the end point of the gusset to the mark on the main piece.  Ease and pin between those two points and then repeat for the second half.

Stitch from the mark at the point of the gusset all the way around to the mark at the point on the other end of the gusset.

All seam allowances are 1/4″.

Pin and stitch the gusset to the second side in the same way.

To reduce bulk in the seam allowance, notch your curves as pictured.

Complete the above steps for the outside of the purse and the lining.

Turn the outside of the purse right side out and place it inside the lining.

Matching the points of the gussets on each side, pin the outside to the lining.

On one side sew from mark to mark.

On the second side, sew leaving an opening for turning.

Once again notch the curves to reduce bulk.

Gently turn the purse right side out through opening.  Push the lining down into the purse.

Sew the opening closed.

I prefer to do this by hand, but if doing it by machine, stitch very close to the edge so that seam doesn’t show after the frame is installed.

Press both the front and the back top edges well.  This will make the purse fit better into the frame.

Here’s the purse, ready to be sewn into the frame.

Now before I show you how to sew the frame to the purse, I thought I’d share a couple of tips to make it easier.

First, after visiting all of the blogs on the UR Pricesless Coin Purse Blog Hop over the past week, again and again I read about needle breakage when sewing the purse to the frame.  I don’t know if I’ve just been lucky, but I haven’t had a single needle break.  I use DMC Embroidery Needles.  I also use embroidery floss to sew the frames on; either six strands of regular floss or #8 perle cotton.

Second, unless you choose a colour of thread that exactly matches the lining of your purse, you are going to see the stitching on the inside when looked at from a certain angle.  To make that stitching look as neat as possible, when you are stitching, put your needle in at the same place it came out and out where it came in on your first line of stitching.  You’ll see what I mean in the photos below.

Now, find the center of each side of the purse and mark with a pin.

Find the center of your frame.

Tack the purse to the frame at the center point.

To do this, thread your needle and then push it through the front to the back and then from the back to the front through the holes on either side of the center.  Tie a knot.

Now starting at the center on the inside, sew the purse to the frame, sewing from inside to outside, outside to inside.

Once you get to the hinge, work your way back to the center.

Clip the thread you used to tack the purse to the frame and remove the thread.

Continue sewing inside to outside, outside to inside.

After you reach the other hinge, sew back to the center.

On the inside… make a small, tight knot.  Insert you needle right beside the knot and pull the needle out through a spot in the lining about an inch from the knot.  Tug gently on your thread.  If the knot isn’t too big, it will “pop” under the lining fabric.   Don’t tug too hard, you don’t want to break your thread at this point or rip your fabric.  If the knot won’t disappear under the lining with gentle tugging, leave it as is (it will at least be less visible.)  Clip your thread close to the fabric (the end should disappear inside.)

You can just barely see the knot in the photo above.

Stand back and admire you new coin purse.

If you make a purse using my pattern and tutorial… I’d love to see it.

Oh… a word of warning… once you’ve successfully made one of these coin purses, you’ll want to make more to the point where you’ll start wondering what you’re going to do with all those coin purses.

 

 

This post contains affiliate links. For more information please check my Disclosures and Disclaimers page. It doesn’t cost you any extra, but it does help support this site.

 

I would be so pleased if you chose to share by clicking on one of the buttons below!

20 Comments

  • Mary
    May 12, 2019 7:28 am

    Where did you get the hardware? I want to try to make one as well.

    • Super Mom No Cape
      May 29, 2019 10:55 am

      Hello Mary,

      If you scroll back through the post, you’ll see a link to sources for the sew-in frames. You can also find lots of different styles on Amazon.

  • Dorothy Erwin
    November 6, 2017 10:19 am

    Please tell me where you got the hardware for this coin purse. I think it’s the cutest thing ever. Thanks.

  • Corene Musga
    January 2, 2016 5:13 pm

    I just love your website and must say it’s one of the best sites for “how to make a coin purse”. :o) great photos, great directions.

    However, I have one questions…I have made 5 of these so far and continue having problems where the hinge of the frame on L&R sides meets the fabric. My question is: when sewing the front & back pieces together does the 1/4″ stitching seams meet together????? (I hope I’m explaining this correctly!
    Thank you for your help.
    Hugs from Pacific Northwest Washington, USA
    Corene

  • janet
    March 19, 2015 1:22 pm

    I must tell you what a complete and well written set of instructions you have given those of us who are attempting to try this! I can see that you are a very good and meticulous teacher. Thank you for one who is now brave enough to go forward

  • Beth
    November 16, 2012 12:57 am

    Great tutorial! I want to try one (or more) of those soon!

  • Trackback: Super Mom – No Cape! » Blog Archive » Winners of the Coin Purse Giveaways
  • Marci Girl
    November 13, 2012 1:50 pm

    Great tutorial!

  • made by ChrissieD
    November 12, 2012 10:56 am

    Dropped by from P&J, love the purse and your fussy cutting for the sun. Thanks for sharing the tutorial and free pattern 🙂

  • wendy
    November 12, 2012 8:12 am

    this if fab Susan, thanks for sharing!

  • Michelle
    November 12, 2012 1:04 am

    I would also like to know of good resources for the metal frame. I looked at two stores but did not see them. I’d like to make one to have at work, for my office key, a few dollars for coffee and my cell phone.

    thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

    michelle

    • Elaine
      July 11, 2013 1:56 pm

      I’m late to the party on commenting, but these coin purses are fabulous! I love the idea of adjusting the pattern a little to make a cellphone purse. I need to make some of these for next Christmas.

  • Kim
    November 11, 2012 10:57 pm

    I have always wondered how these were made! Thanks for the awesome tutorial.
    cheers!
    -kim

  • Ana Lopes
    November 11, 2012 9:11 pm

    So lovely!!! Love frame purses so much! Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial! I’d love for you to visit my blog.
    Happy week!

    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft

  • Katie
    November 11, 2012 10:45 am

    Thank you for your pattern and tutorial. Where do you purchase the hardware to make these little coin purses?

    • admin
      November 11, 2012 12:03 pm

      Hello Katie,

      I’ve sent you an e-mail telling you where I bought my frames and some other sources as well.

      Aloha,
      Sue

  • Trackback: Super Mom – No Cape! » Blog Archive » UR Priceless Coin Purse Blog Hop and Giveaways
  • Snoodles
    November 10, 2012 5:06 pm

    Thanks so much! I like this coin purse, too, and appreciate your careful photos and tutorial….they are addictive, are they not? LOL

  • Malena
    November 10, 2012 12:42 pm

    Thank you for leaving a message and visiting my blog 🙂
    Yours is really nice.

  • Amy, a redeemed sheep
    November 10, 2012 11:12 am

    Thanks for the pattern and all the great tips!

Comments are closed.