Sew the Cutest Coin Purse Pattern with a Zipper – Free!

Sew an adorable coin purse with my free sewing pattern! This small zipper pouch pattern is perfect for using scraps, fussy cutting, applique, or machine embroidery.

This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. A link to the free template for my Coin Purse Pattern with a Zipper is found below and the blog post is totally free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF download is inexpensive and optional. Did you know you can get ALL the Optimized for Printing PDF files organized in a library for you to access anytime you want? Check it out.

You have so many options when sewing this DIY zippered coin pouch. Make one with leftover fabrics and no extra hardware like my gold and blue one. Or fussy cut a cute motif from your fabric like my pink Tula Pink raccoon pouch.

Applique is a fun to sew on this coin purse too. I miniaturized 12 of my free applique designs to give you ideas! The butterfly pouch above is one I made to show you.

This coin pouch pattern includes a fully lined interior that does not require binding. I tried one version of this pouch with binding on the inside and didn’t like it, so I figured out a way to make it without binding.

I made a quick video to show you these pouches and talk about the materials that I used. You can watch it in the video that plays on this page or on my YouTube channel.

What Zipper to Use

This coin pouch pattern requires a zipper that is 1 1/4” wide (give or take a tiny bit). Regular dressmaking zippers won’t work, but YKK size 4.5 zippers (either separate zippers or Zippers By the Yard from ByAnnie) are perfect.

For these particular pouches I tried the new size 5 faux metallic zippers. They look like metal but are actually nylon so they are easy to cut and sew. The zipper teeth were a big bump to sew over, but they didn’t break my needle or cause a problem.

Are you ready? Let’s sew!

Cute Coin Purse Sewing Pattern

Materials you will need:

• 1/8 yard or less cotton fabric for the coin purse exterior
• 1/8 yard or less cotton fabric for the lining
• 1/8 yard fusible fleece interfacing (such as HeatnBond fusible fleece)
• a 7” or longer zipper, size 4.5 or 5 (see above for zipper recommendations)
• 1 d-ring or swivel snap clip with a 1/2” opening (optional)
• fabric marking pen
• Wonderclips
• Sewing stiletto

Cutting

From your pouch exterior fabric, cut:

• 2 from the Coin Pouch Template
• 2 squares 2” x 2”
• 1 rectangle 2” x 4”

From your pouch lining fabric, cut:

• 2 from the Coin Pouch Template
• 2 squares 2” x 2”

From your fusible fleece interfacing, cut:

• 2 from the Coin Pouch Template
• 2 squares 2” x 2”

Also – cut the zipper down to 7”, without stoppers at either end.

Preparation

1. Fuse the fusible fleece interfacing to the wrong sides of the exterior fabric pieces – the two pieces cut from the template and the two 2” squares.
2. Use the fabric marking pen to mark the top of each piece cut from the template at the center.

3. Draw a horizontal line 3/4” up from the bottom edge on all 4 pieces cut using the coin purse template.
4. Fold the bottom edge of the lining pieces cut from the template to the wrong side by 1/4” and press. This is shown in the images below.

Make the Tab Pieces (optional)

1. Fold the 2” x 4” rectangle in half lengthwise and press. Open and press the long edges to the center. Fold in half and press again to make a 1/2” x 4” strip.
2. Sew along both sides of the strip, 1/8” from the edge.

3. Cut the strip in half to make two tab pieces, each 2” long.
4. Slip one tab piece through the opening on the d-ring or swivel snap clip (optional) and fold the tab in half. Sew the ends together close to the raw edges.
5. Fold the other tab piece in half and sew the ends together close to the raw edges. (Make both tabs this way if you choose not to add a d-ring or swivel snap clip.)

Make the Zipper Panel

1. Sew the ends of the zipper together with a wide zig zag stitch to create thread stoppers at both ends.

2. Place one of the tabs on top of the zipper teeth with the raw edges aligned. Sew the tab on top of the zipper about 1/8” from the edge.

Tip: Since the zipper teeth are big, it’s easiest to start sewing right in the middle of the tab. Sew backwards first and then forwards so the tab is secure.

Repeat to sew the second tab at the other end of the zipper.

3. Place the 2” square of lining fabric under the zipper at one end with both pieces right side up. Center the zipper end along one of the sides of the square.
   
   Then place a 2” square of exterior fabric (with interfacing fused on the back) on top. Pin or clip the layers together, if desired.

4. Sew across all the layers with a 1/4” seam allowance.

5. Fold the exterior and lining pieces back and gently press. Topstitch 1/8” away from the seam on the exterior piece.

Repeat to sew the remaining tab and 2” square pieces to the opposite end of the zipper and topstitch.

6. Use scissors or a ruler and rotary cutter to trim the ends of the zipper panel even with the sides of the zipper.

7. Baste around the 3 sides of the zipper panel ends to secure the layers together.

8. Use the fabric marking pen to mark the center of the zipper on both sides of the zipper tape.

Attach One Side of the Purse to the Zipper Panel

1. Place one of the exterior pouch pieces on your workspace right side up and lay the zipper panel on top, right side down. Line up the markings and clip in place.

Clip the sides of the zipper panel so that the end of the zipper panel lines up with the horizontal line drawn on the wrong side of the coin purse side exterior piece.

Then add more clips to help the zipper panel fit around the side of the coin purse.

2. Attach the zipper foot to your sewing machine.
   
   Sew the zipper panel to the side piece with a 1/4” seam allowance. Use a sewing stiletto to help you keep the edges lined up and sew an even 1/4” from the edge.Move the zipper slider out of the way as needed.

3. With the exterior right side up, place a lining piece right side down over it and clip all the way around with the zipper sandwiched in between.
   
   The center marks and horizontal line mark should all line up.

Tip: place the clips upside down because you will be sewing from the other side.

4. Turn the piece over and sew around with a 1/4” seam allowance, sewing right on top of your previous stitching.

IMPORTANT: Start and end your sewing at the horizontal line that you marked, not at the corners of the side pieces.

Use the sewing stiletto to help you keep the edges lined up.

Turn the piece right side out so that the lining and exterior are wrong sides together. Check to make sure that the seams look good and the tabs did not get caught in the seam.

If you want to add applique to your pouch, this is a good time! These mini applique patterns go perfectly with my Cute Coin Purse Pattern.

Attach the Other Side of the Purse

1. Place the side piece with the zipper panel right side down on top of the remaining exterior side piece. Line up the markings and clip all the way around.

Check: The exterior pieces of the coin purse should be right sides together.

2. Starting and ending at the ends of the zipper panel, stitch around the curved edge with a 1/4” seam allowance.

Tip: since it is now tricky to make the zipper lay flat as you sew, it might be easier to sew this step using the free-arm feature, if your sewing machine has one.

As before, move the zipper slider out of the way as you sew past it.

3. Turn the piece over and place the remaining lining piece face down against the other side. Line up the markings. Clip all the way around.
   
   Place the clips upside down again.

Check: the lining pieces should be right sides together.

4. One more time, turn the coin purse over and sew around the curved edge on top of the previous stitching.
   
   Start and end your sewing at the horizontal line, not the corners of the purse.

Turn the coin purse right side out and check all of the seams.

You are almost done!

Sew the Bottom of the Coin Purse

1. Turn the coin purse inside out so that the exterior pieces are facing each other and the lining is showing on either side.
   
   Pin the lining pieces back and out of the way.
   
   Clip together the straight bottom edges of the coin purse exterior.

2. Sew across the straight bottom edge of the pouch exterior with a 1/4” seam allowance.

3. Press the seam open with the coin pouch flat.
   
   Open the zipper at least halfway.

4. Now push the exterior of the pouch deep inside and clip the pressed edges of the linings together.

5. Carefully sew close to the folded edges all the way across the bottom of the lining.

The ends will look kind of rough, but that’s okay.

Flatten and Sew the Bottom Corners

1. With the coin purse still inside out, flatten one of the corners, centering the bottom seam against the side panel.

Tip: stick your thumb or finger inside to help smooth out the layers at the opening.

2. Sew across the corner about 1/4” above the bottom edge of the zipper panel.

Turn the pouch right side out to make sure the corner seam looks correct.

3. Turn the coin purse inside out again and trim away the extra fabric at the corner to leave a 1/4” seam allowance.

4. Zigzag stitch back and forth across the corner to finish the seam.

I use a wide zig zag with a short stitch length in thread that matches my lining. This creates a neat and tidy finish.

And that’s your first pouch from my free Coin Purse Pattern! I hope you make many more and show me! Upload a picture to Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or #sewcanshe so I can take a look.

Happy Sewing!