Flexi [Fabric] Stash Coin Purse Tutorial

**UPDATE** If you'd like this tutorial (and any of my others) in PDF format click here.

Note: to view the PDF tutorial, you will need the latest Adobe Viewer program.  Get the latest version of the viewer absolutely free by clicking on the button below:

 

This snow that we are having at the moment is really pretty.  I woke up a couple of mornings ago to see that the garden was covered in inches of it.  I love the clear crisp air, and the quietness of snow.  I took Beans the dog out for his morning stroll but he wasn't too keen.  Perhaps it's because he doesn't have his own hat, scarf, and mittens to wear!

Beans stayed firmly in the house whilst I went outside to the garden to take this lovely pic.

Hands up anyone who has a growing fabric stash that they feel a bit guilty about and that: nothing seems match; the pieces seem too small to make anything special/useful; you are not too hot at patchwork;...  Well, that'll be me on all counts then!!!

Here is a easy peasy coin purse which will take you less than 45 mins to whip-up.  This purse is a great way to use up left over fabric stash and turn it into something cute and useful in next to no time (it's an answer to one of my craft prayers anyway!).  I often make one of these purses with the left over fabric from making a handbag so I get a cool matching set (and lots of brownie points from my friends!)

This purse uses a 10cm Flexi Frame for which we make a fabric casing to insert the frame.  These frames pop open when you squeeze the sides together and pop shut when you let go thus keeping your coins and stuff safe.  This size will hold coins and notes, some lippy, and a little mirror.  You can of course make the purse longer to hold your eyeglasses or other what-nots if you prefer.

Firstly, what's this?  Click on any of the pictures to make them bigger

It's a Yo Yo!  See Heather's Tutorial to make one; they are quick and cute.  Make one from a fabric circle with a 8cm radius (in other words open your compass to 8cm and draw your circle).  Find a nice button (or two) and sew it the middle.

Front View (11.5 cm tall x 10cm wide)

Inside View (my camera isn't nearly as keen on pink colours as I am)

Here's how I put it together

Shopping List (as if you were buying from a shop, if not using stash fabrics):

• 1 x 4" Flexi Frame
• 0.5 yrd fabric for exterior
• 0.5 yrd lining fabric
• 0.5 yrd Heavy Weight Sew-in Interlining

PS: I should have mentioned this before now, but I always sew with a 1cm allowance (and my patterns include this).

1.  Make up your Yo Yo. See Heather's Tutorial to make one.  Make one from a fabric circle with a 8cm radius (in other words open your compass to 8cm and draw your circle).  Find a nice button (or two) and sew it the middle.

2.  Make up your purse frame pattern and from the pattern piece cut 2 pieces each of exterior fabric, lining fabric, and heavy sew-in interlining.

Pretty straightforward as patterns go isn't it?

3.  Sew your Yo Yo onto one of the exterior pieces.  Transfer the yo yo marking onto one of the exterior pieces.  Lay this exterior piece (right side up) onto one of the heavy sew-in pieces and hand sew the yo yo thru the button holes, the exterior piece, and the heavy sew-in piece.

Sew yer yo yo gently down the stream...la la la.  Sew yo yo firmly to exterior piece and heavy sew-in piece.

4.  Sew  exterior bag.  Make a sandwich with the 2 exterior pieces (right sides together - with yo yo in middle) in the middle and the heavy sew-in interlining on the outside.  Mark both hinge makings on one of the heavy sew-in pieces, pin everything together.  Starting from one of your hinge markings sew the sides and bottom of the exterior finishing at the other hinge marking as shown by my wonky blue arrow in the photo.  Clip the bottom corners off (this will make things less bulky for when you turn the exterior right side out).  Turn exterior right side out.

Where the blue arrow goes, I will sew...

5.  Sew lining.  Bring the 2 lining pieces right sides together.  Mark both of the hinge markings onto one of the lining pieces. Sew the lining bag in the same way as step 4 EXCEPT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE AN 6CM OPENING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE LINING.

6.  With right side out slip the exterior bag into the lining bag.  The right sides of the lining bag and the exterior bag should now be touching each other.

Exterior bag goes into the lining bag

7.  Sew the two flaps of the purse.   On one of the flaps, pin the lining to the exterior bag at the top and sides.   Begin sewing where the stitching starts on the lining, sew all around the sides and top edge stopping at the stitching on the lining.   Clip the top corners off.  Repeat with other purse flap.

Where the blue arrow goes, I will sew...

8.  Pull the exterior bag through the hole in the lining.  Yep, this is my favourite bit.   Pop the lining into the exterior bag and smooth everything down, pressing if necessary.

Out she comes...

9.  Sew gap in the lining closed.   Stitch the gap in the lining shut by pushing the raw edges into the hole and top stitching close to the edge for a neat finish.

Shut your gap!

10. Make up casing for the Flexi Frame.  As shown in the photo; fold one of the flaps down (onto the lining) to where the flaps begin (in other words at the point where the hinge markings where made on our pattern) and pin.  As a last minute check make sure your frame will have enough room to be inserted.  Stitch the flap down a couple of mms from the edge.  Repeat for the other flap.

Where the blue arrow goes, I will sew...

11. Insert the frame into the casing.  Insert the frame into the casing; the free ends of the frame ends go in first.  Push the frame right through the casing until the free ends are sticking out of the other end.

Wiggle the frame in if necessary (it's supposed to be a snug fit)

12. Make up the metal hinge on the frame.  Bring the free ends of the frame together and insert the pin into the metal hinge.  Using pliers press the end caps of the hinge down to trap the pin inside the hinge.   Push the frame back into the casing, smooth everything out and...Hey Presto fabric stash = cute coin purse!

Push the little pin into the hinge.

Yep, my trusty pliers look pretty disgusting close-up (and they look pretty bad from far away too).  Press the end caps down to trap the pin inside the hinge.

Comments

[Zoe]

magic! need to try this one Lisa!

[Elizabeth]

Hi Lisa,
Do you have any suggestions on how to make this if you don't want the hinges to show?

Thanks,
Elizabeth.

[Lisa Lam]

Hi Elizabeth,

If you want the hinges concealed on the purse add another 5cm to the overall width of the pattern.

When the purse is complete you will then be able to pull the fabric of casing over the hinge and hand sew the gap shut. BTW this method works best with lighter weight fabrics. Hope that helps!

[Zoe]

I can't wait to try mine now! Thank you so much Lisa x

[Lesley]

Help..I live in Australia and don't know where to get the 4 inch flexi frame from. I notice you have bigger ones for sale, do you also have the 4 inch. I would love to make one of these purses, but need to source the frames. Can you help with a website or some suggestions, I have searched the web but only get back hoops for embroidery, regards Lesley

[Billy Blogger]

Great idea, I have linked to this post from my blog at http://craftworker.blogspot.com/2007/05/flexi-fabric-stash-coin-purse.html and added you to my favourite places!

[Colleen (My Baby and More)]

I found this searching to buy a handmade coin purse. Does any one want to make/sell one to me? It ROCKS!!

[Juli]

I am looking for a flexi frame in a 5"length or so. I have been asked to make some cases for a customer. I have also started making handbags from recycled felted wool sweaters

[Natelier Gypsie Vintage]

Hello,
I'm in France and I love so much your blog and yours lovely creations. I like so much your idea with flexi frame. I try to find same in my country.I make too some bags if you want :http://www.natelier.canalblog.com
I come back soon...

[Dawn]

What a handy little bag! I needed something exactly like this when I use to work as a server in a restaurant and had to make change every few minutes. Thanks again for sharing your creativity (and instructions). I hope you don't mind, but I'm adding a link from my site at http://www.discountfabrichandbags.com/free-handbag-patterns

[jackie combs]

Are your bags for sale? I cannot sew and am looking for a really unique bag. I need about 40 bags that are about wallet size. I want to put a pair of small scissors, some ribbon and some spool wire inside. Thank you!