How to sew a coin purse with a sew-in purse frame

Free pattern and lots of detailed photos on how to sew a coin purse using a sew-in purse frame.  All my girl friends are getting these this year :-)

At the moment, I'm all about small and cute projects.  My stash has been worn down by quite a bit of bag sewing for friends and for fun, so while I wait on some new fabric supplies to arrive from overseas, I'm working with small pieces, and mixing and matching.

I had a couple of these little half-round purse frames with the kiss-lock and though it time to tackle a pattern for them.  Actually pattern drafting for fixed size frames like this is a bit harder than I thought, you really to need to fiddle quite a bit with the shape and the size to get something that's workable and in the right proportion.

How to sew a coin purse with a sew-in purse frame. Looks easy, quick and love how good it looks in the end.

In the end I was over-complicating it – this is a simple pattern and totally ideal for beginners.  And because you are using the ready-made hardware, you can get a really good looking result too.  And it uses only a small amount of fabric.  It's a winner all round.  These would make lovely gifts and stocking stuffers – give them a try, you'll be hooked!

Materials to sew a coin purse

Materials needed to sew a coin purse

  • 8.5cm half-round sew-in purse frame – I used this one (International Etsy seller – sends worldwide)  Or choose from some of these ones HERE
  • Fusible fleece
  • Light-weight interfacing
  • Small pieces of fabric for outer and lining (1 FQ is enough to make and line two of these purses)
  • Matching thread or Invisible Thread
  • The pattern download – below
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Download the Free Coin Purse Pattern

You can download the pattern from Payhip and choose your price.

You can decide what to donate for this pattern, anywhere from zero upwards.  Decide what it's worth to you.

Thanks so much for your generosity. 

For help downloading and printing PDF patterns, please CLICK HERE.

How to sew a coin purse with a sew-in purse frame

How to sew a coin purse with a sew-in purse frame. Looks easy, quick and love how good it looks in the end.

Use your pattern piece to cut 2 outer pieces and 2 lining pieces.  Add the fusible fleece to the outer pieces, and the light weight interfacing to the lining pieces.

Transfer the marks on the pattern edge to the wrong side of the fabric, with an erasable fabric marker.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Match your outer fabric RST, and sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, starting at one of the marks, down one side, then along the bottom, then up the other side to the other mark you made.  See where I marked the stitching lines below.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Box the little corners to add volume.  Not sure how to do that?  Check out this article – 3 ways to box the corners on a bag.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Repeat the same for the lining piece – EXCEPT, leave a gap or a couple of inches unsewn in the bottom of the lining for turning out later.  Box the corners on the lining too.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Now with the lining right side out, and the outer with right side in, place the lining inside the outer, so that the two right sides of the fabric are touching.  Starting at the mark on one side, sew from that one mark, up over the top around the curve, and to the mark on the other side.  Use the same 1/4 inch seam allowance.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Repeat this for both sides of the bag.  Then trim down your seam allowances in half to reduce the bulk around that top curve.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Turn the bag right side out, wiggle and straighten those top curved edges until they are smooth and give them a good press with an iron.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Close the gap in the bottom of the lining with a neat ladder stitch.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Now comes the fun part.  Time to add the hardware to our little fabric purse.  Find the center of each side of the purse and make a little mark at the top edge.  Match this mark to the center of your hardware.

Press the curved edge of the purse into the groove at the back of the sewing holes on the frame. You may need to ease it in there just a little bit.  Check that its all on evenly, and then roughly baste the handle in place with a large over-sewing stitch.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Now thread your needle with the invisible thread – this is optional, you can use regular matching thread if you like, but the stitches will show on your frame.  The invisible thread is like a very fine fishing line (in fact it probably is a very light fishing line repackaged at vast expense to use in sewing). It has a tendency to curl and knot a little if you stretch it, so use a reasonably short piece, double it up and keep it under control to stop it knotting.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Start at one side of the frame, from the inside and sew up through one hole, down through the next.  There isn't a hole on the inside, so angle your needle about 45 degrees as you sew so that the stitch on the inside is right on the very edge of the frame.  If you are using the invisible thread, you won't see it anyway.

How to sew a cute coin purse using a sew-in purse frame

Once you've sewn all the way across, turn around and sew all the way back again using alternate holes for extra strength.  Start a new piece of thread and repeat on the other side of the frame.  Then remove the basting stitches.

How to sew a coin purse with a sew-in purse frame.  Looks easy, quick and love how good it looks in the end.

It's done!  Enjoy your cute coin purse.  The frames for these are really inexpensive – the one I used was $1.60, and there is so little fabric, that you can make 4 from a fat quarter of outer and lining.  Would make pretty party favors, wedding favors, teenager gifts, and stocking stuffers.  Better order your hardware now and pin this because you'll want to sew up a bunch of these ready for Christmas – you can never start on the hand-made gifts too early !

Opt In Image
Download the Free Coin Purse Pattern

You can download the pattern from Payhip and choose your price.

You can decide what to donate for this pattern, anywhere from zero upwards.  Decide what it's worth to you.

Thanks so much for your generosity. 

For help downloading and printing PDF patterns, please CLICK HERE.

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Free pattern and lots of detailed photos on how to sew a coin purse using a sew-in purse frame.  All my girl friends are getting these this year :-)

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Lynn
Lynn

Looks like great fun, but the frames are about $7 each on Etsy, and the 3DAN site is no longer operating on Etsy. Any other suggestions? 😎 Lynn

Rita
Rita

have you ever used glue first to attach the inside of the closure?

Maryanne Lucas
Maryanne Lucas

I received one similiar to this as a gift and use it to hold stitch markers in my crochet bag.

Kathleen Schroeder
Kathleen Schroeder

I downloaded the pattern for the coin purse and donated but I cannot find the one inch square so I don’t know if it’s the correct size off my iPad. I download pdf patterns all the time so this shouldn’t be an issue but yours came out huge.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member

Hi Kathleen thank you so much for your donation. The pattern needs to be printed using Adobe Reader, actual size do not scale the pattern at all.

Kathleen Schroeder
Kathleen Schroeder

Where is the one inch square on the coin purse pattern. I’m using an iPad and download patterns all of the time but yours doesn’t work correctly.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member

My patterns work with Adobe Reader, printing on Actual Size and no scale at all.

CHRISTY
CHRISTY

i am so frustrated trying to download your pattern I want to scream. Why do you have to make it so hard? Just print it out and let people copy it for christ sakes!!!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  CHRISTY

WOW!

Donna
Donna
Reply to  CHRISTY

Please don’t us Christ name in vain, as it is being disrespectful, it is a sin. All in Love.

Cynthia
Cynthia

I use 8 pound fishing line to sew the frame to the purse. I found that the invisible thread breaks easily. You can be the fishing line really cheap at Wal-Mart or sporting goods store.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Cynthia

This is a great tip! Thank you!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Cynthia

Thanks, was wondering about thread. I am using a baby sock for body.

Dee Stillman
Dee Stillman

When you refer to the purse frame size, how are you measuring 8.5 cm? What part of the purse frame is suppose to measure 8.5 cm? Thank you!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Dee Stillman

I can see where you are confused. These frames are bought according to sizes and the one above is 8.5cm in length.

Marsha Vick
Marsha Vick

Great instructions but when I purchased the frame it was a double frame! Any ideas on how to make a double purse?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Marsha Vick

WOW Marsha you got me there I have never seen a double frame available. I must now go on a hunt. Where did you get yours?

Regina Rittenhouse
Regina Rittenhouse

I was wondering how to make a double framed purse?!

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member

Hi, Regina, I would have to get a hold of a double frame to be able to write up the tutorial. Any ideas where I can get one?

Robin Adams
Robin Adams

Can I use the purse frame that you glue on Instead of sew on?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Robin Adams

YOu can, just make sure you stabilize the fabric well and glue the handle perfectly. Otherwise the fabric becomes soft and the handle will fall off.

Barbara
Barbara

Thanks for pattern and tutorial. Have made one and just love it. So will my friends who receive one for Christmas. Thank you for your generosity.
Barbara

Lidia
Lidia

Hello!
Many thanks for this tutorial 🙂 I have one doubt: is it seam allowance already included on the pattern?
Thanks.

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Lidia

Yes it is 🙂

Christine Considine (@ChippieC04)

Just made one this afternoon following your excellent pattern & instructions. Even made boxed corners. Have never made a purse before,but going to be making loads now!! Am ridiculously chuffed with myself. Thanks!

Dawuta
Dawuta

I downloaded your pattern but cant find the actual pattern og the purse only the instructions!

trackback

[…] Once the beading was completed for both sides of the bag, it was cut to size and sewn together. The white satin lining was also cut and sewn. I decided to add a little internal pocket on the lining. For tips on sewing the bag together, check out this tutorial from So Sew Easy. […]

BEATRICE TAYLOR
BEATRICE TAYLOR

I NEED HELP WITH MAKEING A PURSE WITH DOUBLE PURSE METAL PURSE FRAME. THANK YOU

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member

Hi Beatrice, I think you’re looking at probably the best tutorial we have for purse frames. However, you may also want to have a look at this one as well: https://so-sew-easy.com/make-box-frame-clutch-purse/ Hope that helps.

Dianne
Dianne

I just downloaded your pattern from Craftsy and I can’t wait to try this with a purse frame I’ve had for almost a year! I love your patterns and you are so generous to share them for free; keep up the great work 🙂

pwood
pwood

Hi I ordered the 8.5cm frames, but it seems like the frame is much smaller then the top rounded part? is the frame supposed to be smaller?

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  pwood

Yes pwood, That is the right sizes for the pattern.
Cheers!

Leone Raffaele
Leone Raffaele

Thanks for the pattern and advice on sewing instructions..very adaptable

Mayra Cecilia
Admin
Noble Member
Reply to  Leone Raffaele

You are welcome!

adelmarie
adelmarie

You are right, this is so enjoyable to make. Have you tried to make this purse for eyeglasses, just cutting the pattern a little big longer?

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  adelmarie

I haven’t because I’ve bought a specially shaped one especially for specs and keep meaning to get around to it. But it would work with this too, as you suggested. Nice idea.

Karen Moran
Karen Moran

Would it be possible to have “printable” instructions for your patterns? Running up and down stairs between sewing machine and computer, while great aerobics, is a bit of a pain. But LOVE the patterns – thank you so much.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Karen Moran

I’ve had to reconsider my position on providing full downloads for the pattern and instructions all in one place, because people have been selling them online, or loading the whole document to their own website to download and pretending they created it. Both of which damages the prospects for my own site. So now you will usually find the pattern is downloadable but for the instructions or video you have to return to So Sew Easy so I can at least try to control what happens with the content and patterns that I have created. Sorry for the inconvenience. You can always create your own printable instructions by copying the blog article content into a word document to edit and print for your own use.

Corynne
Corynne

That makes sense. I was wondering the same thing. Thinking about making this the final for my high school sewing students. They did your cosmetic bag for their beginning project !

Denise
Denise

Where did you find the frame for $1.60? I only found some at a sewing store and they were $4.50.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Denise

There is a link in the article. In the materials list where it says I used THIS ONE, these words are blue which means they are a link. If you click there you will see the one that I bought. Hope that helps.

Denise
Denise

Got it. Thanks!

Pauline
Pauline

I want to make this cute Coin Purse but cannot find the actual pattern piece to use to cut out the material.

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Pauline

Hi Pauline. In this article there is a big orange box with a button which says Download the pattern. This takes you to where the pattern is hosted on Craftsy. You add the pattern to your cart and check out – its free. Then you can download it to your computer and open the PDF file for the pattern piece. Hope that helps, but let me know if you can’t figure it out.

Barbara
Barbara

I downloaded the pattern, but it looks quite a bit larger than the one in the instructions diagram. The straight edge at the bottom measures 13.5 centimeters. Is that correct?

Deby at So Sew Easy
Active Member
Reply to  Barbara

Yes that is correct, the bottom line on the pattern is 13.5 cm long.

Lee
Lee

I’ve been avoiding any patterns for coin purses because I had no idea how to attach the frame. With your tutorial I may just give it a try. Thank you.

Anna

I love the fabrics you’ve used, but I’m desperate to see what fabric you lined the orange one with! 🙂

tea
tea

Thank your for the tutorial. You made your instruction clear. I have 2 frame now to try one. Will post a picture when finished.

willknitforbeer

Thank you for the tutorial. I have a snap frame but a bit larger that came with no instructions so I was never able to use it…but now i can!