After being inspired by the wrapped glutinous rice dumpling (Zòngzi) of a Chinese traditional festival, DuanWu Festival, I sewed some triangle zipper coin purse recently. In fact, today is the actual date of DuanWu Festival which falls on every 5th day of 5th month of the Lunar calendar.
[To read more about DuanWu Festival, click here. To read more about Zongzi, click here. Related sport for the festival: dragon boat competition. Source: Wikipedia.]
This 3-D Triangle Zipper Coin Purse is actually in the form of tetrahedron shape with 3 triangles on the sides and 1 triangle on the base, other names of a tetrahedron is “triangular pyramid”. The tetrahedron shape makes a good coin purse that is suitable to keep small change and also for the ease of getting the correct coin at a quick glance.
I used brown as the main color for the purses to resemble the color of the cooked bamboo or reed leaves of the wrapping. And, add a cord or ribbon to mock the tying string to hold the filling in the wrapping. To mimic the triangle zipper coin purse even further, I quilted diagonally on the purse to make it looks similar to the reed leaf grain.
If you look closer to the main photo of the triangle zipper coin purse, I sewed 2 different positions for the zipper, one on the triangle slope (left) and one at the center of the triangle (right). Both of them are basically made from the same method, the only difference is how to sew the sides of the purse (step-by-step photo #14).
Triangle Zipper Coin Purse
Materials:
1. Fabric – 2pcs. of 5″ x 5″
2. Lining fabric – 2pcs. of 5″ x 5″
3. Zipper end covers – 2pcs. of 2″ x 1 1/2″
4. Batting – 2pcs. of 4″ x 4″
5. Zipper – 3″ (I used 4″ metal zipper shorten to 3″)
6. Decorative cord or ribbon, approx. 18″
Tools:
1. Sewing machine with a normal presser foot
2. Zipper foot
3. Sewing kits
4. Erasable fabric marker
5. Ruler
6. Knitting needle or something blunt but pointy for adjusting the corners.
Cut fabrics & batting according to the dimension above.
For fabric & lining, 5″ x 5″ size is already included 1/2″ seam allowance. Draw sewing lines on the wrong side of the fabrics with a fabric marker or pencil.
Draw a diagonal line on the center of the fabrics with a ruler and erasable fabric marker.
Pin batting on the wrong side of the fabrics. Trim the batting to follow the fabric sewing lines if necessary.
Stitch diagonally on the right side of the fabric with a sewing machine.
Use the presser foot as a guide, sew parallel lines across the entire piece.
Finished diagonal quilting on both sides of the purse fabrics.
Set aside.
Cover both zipper’s ends with the 2″ x 1 1/2″ fabrics.
Fold the raw edges on the 1 1/2″ side and sew a narrow hem before covering the zipper’s end.
Fold the 2″ length into half and cover the end (trim the raw edges on the zipper end if necessary), pin to secure the position.
Change your presser foot to zipper foot, sew on the other 3 sides, except the one across the metal zipper.
Repeat the same to the other end.
Now you have 2 pcs. of quilted purse fabrics, 2 lining fabrics, and a zipper ready for sewing into triangle purse.
Pin the zipper on the purse fabric with the right side together.
Normally, I don’t draw any sewing line on the zipper, I use the grainline on the zipper as a guide, which is normally between 3/8″ to 1/4″ from the center.
Sew on the seam allowance to secure the zipper in place. Remove pins.
Now, pin the lining on the zipper and purse fabric, with the right side together.
Sew on the sewing line with a zipper foot. Remove pins.
Turn the purse fabric and lining down, and zipper up. One side is done.
Repeat the above 3 steps to the other side of the zipper.
Bring the purse fabrics together with right side facing each other, do the same to the lining.
Bend the zipper’s edge down to the lining’s side.
Pin both sides of the purse’s fabric and lining.
Cut 3″ cord as a purse loop and place between the purse fabrics, on the zipper head side.
Sew both sides and leave a 2 1/2″ opening on the lining for turning the purse right side out.
Tip: if you want to do make the one on the right-hand side of the main photo, sew base and zipper head side. Instead of 2 parallel sewings, it becomes a ” ] “, aka base-side-base.
Grab the unsewn side (which is the base for this instance), turn the purse with sides meeting at the center. Pin it to secure.
Do the same to the lining and bring the lining to the purse fabric.
Sew both purse fabric and lining fabric together, with lining opening facing up.
Turn the purse right side out from the opening. It may seem a little too chunky to go through the small opening, as long as you turn each fabric through one by one, you will be fine.
Use a knitting needle or something pointy but blunt to shape the corners.
Fold the balance of the cord into half and stitch the center to the center of the purse bottom.
Tie a knot or ribbon to the purse loop. Trim the cord to your liking.
A triangle coin purse that looks like a wrapped rice dumpling is completed!
Mam,My name is Sayantika Sarkar and I am from India. I liked your triangular zipper coin purse but I can’t made this. So I request you to make a video on this which help me a lot.Please Mam ….
I don’t understand this step – it doesn’t seem clear to me; can someone please explain it? Thanks!
I don’t understand this step: ‘Now, pin the lining on the zipper and purse fabric, with right side together.
Sew on the sewing line with zipper foot. Remove pins.’ – can anyone clarify please? I can’t tell where one is supposed to sew.
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte, the instruction means that you place your lining fabric on the piece that you have just attached the zipper on, with right side facing down. Followed by sewing on the sewing line, then remove the pins.
I am unable to get the pattern to turn correctly right side out…have you updated these instructions? I think the lining is in wrong – based on the instructions…but can’t seem to wrap my head around what I should be doing. Somehow I think the lining should be wrong side to right side..but I just can’t make it work. Any followup would be appreciated
Hi Mary, the pattern and instruction are correct. Is it possible for you to send over a picture of the step that you are not able to get through? You may send over via the contact form.
Where did you get your 4″ zippers from?
I bought them from quilting shop, I think Etsy has it. I will be adding this product range in my online shop early next year too.
Every so often I buy a make your own zipper on a roll. It comes with lots of zipper pulls and you just cut off the exact amount you need. You can also repurpose zippers from other stuff that you are ready to upcycle. Jeans have good zippers or old a line skirts or other things that are not worth repairing but still have useful parts.
It looks great. I’ll try to do my own. 😉
Great work.
I made this. ;0)
looks cool.
the last bit was a bit confusing tho.
I just sewed the bottom of the lining.
its fine
Mine worked out fine eventually. But you forgot to say that the zipper has to be open before sewing the long sides together! Also, a combination for metric users like me could be: 12cm zipper, 16cm squares for fabrics, 14cm for batting. The zipper ends are something like 4x7cm. At least those are the measurements I chose and it is a cute pouch. Cheers and thanks for putting the tutorial up! Judy
bellissimo questo tutorial! vorrei realizzarlo ma ho problemi con le misure da convertire in centimetri, mi puoi aiutare? grazie e ancora complimenti!
Translation (by Google):
this beautiful tutorial! I would like to make it happen but I have problems with the measures to convert to centimeters, can you help me? thanks and congratulations again!
Hi alessandra, there is a conversion tool (the link is at the top) for you to convert the units into cm. Please use it. 🙂
Hi! Last year I made 6 or 7 of these to give to friends, and they were all highly appreciated!
Thanks for the clear tutorial. It was very easy to make.
Now I have my own blog and would like to show these little coin purses. My idea is to mention where I got the pattern and instructions from. I hope you don’t mind. And if you don’t mind me doing so, I’ll let you know when I’ll mention you.
I love all your crafts, you are really talented. I have a question as I can’t find info on whether I’m allowed to make and sell your crafts on a small scale basis, mostly in flea markets and such. I’m not going to mass produce, it’s just to make some pocket money. If there is any issue about copyrights etc, please let me know. Thanks so much for all your wonderful ideas. Cheers!
I have no problem that you sell your own handmade, just please don’t use my tutorials and photos as the marketing tools. A credit will be grateful. Thank you.
Thank you so much. I will abide by your rules and credit you for sure 🙂
what a lovely coin purse. Do you have the tutorial video? It’s kinda hard to understand the instruction by picture only.. 😀
Sorry, I don’t have video for this.
Thank you for the wonderful tutorial and clear easy to access instructions. Bravo!
Hallo! Thank you for your tutorial very much! I’ve done this project and both my children 3 and 5 years old want to have it 🙂 So I have to repeat and make one more purse right tommorow 🙂
That’s sweet to know that both your kids and you love it so much 🙂
I’ve bought zips like this from a company called Euro Japan Links in London. She also stocks lots of other lovely things! Great tutorial, I love this little coin purse and the idea of sizing it up for cosmetics. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Joanne!
I’m trying to make the one to the right on the main photo – the one with the zipper in the middle of the front. But I really don’t get it how I’m supposed to sew it together. I don’t understand how the ] is supposed to be situated on the fabric. Do you possibly have a photo with the lines drawn that way, or can you explain it in another way? Please?
Yay! I made a cute little purse to match my daughter’s new dress and it turned out magical! I had no idea how this would make a triangular purse until I turned everything out. I want you to see it. Please visit my fb : Sarah sew
😛 Love it. I just made a 7 inch one as that was the only zipper I have. It makes a great standup makeup bag. I will post it later.
I meant to note that I used prequilted fabric so it was a breeze
Good idea to make it bigger to cater all the cosmetic!!! Can’t wait to see it!
Hello!
In the spirit of zhang, I’d love to make these for my sisters. Thank you for sharing your tutorial with lots of pictures! I’m a visual learner and absolutely CRAP with written instructions. 😀 Also… absolutely crap with zips. 🙁 Could you tell me:
1) how long the zip was, when you added the fabric ends to it, and
2) when the fabrics are RST, do you sew onto the zip fabric ends?
Thank you!! I look forward to making a successful zhang coin purse! 🙂
Hi jojo,
This is the answer for your question 1.
1) 3″ (from top stops to end stop) before sewing fabric ends, after sewing it is approximately 4 1/2″ (including the fabric ends}.
As for your question 2), can you please tell me what is the meaning of RST?
Thanks.
Hi again,
Thank you for your reply! 2) RST means Right Sides together. 🙂 So the question now is… It looks like I have to sew the zip fabric ends because of the 1/2″ seam allowance?
Cheers!
Now I learned a new sewing abbreviation, RST! Thanks!
You are right, the zipper ends are sewn together with the fabrics when they are RST.
Yay! We learn something new everyday! You’re welcome. 🙂 Oh, and WST is Wrong Sides Together. So RST and WST. hehe Great, I will give the zhang coin purse a whirl soon.
Enjoy your zhang when your mum makes you some! Yummy! 🙂
Enjoy your sewing too 🙂 I will remember WST and RST from now on.
Hi!
This is Alicia Joy from ajoyworthhaving. I wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated your blog to receive the Most Inspiring Blogger Award! You can read all about it and pick up your award here:
http://ajoyworthhaving.blogspot.com/2013/04/very-inspiring-blogger-award.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
Alicia Joy
Many many thanks for this wonderful tutorial, I’m very happy of what I sewed thanks to you, I think to sew a lot of them now, this little purse is so nice !
Thank you so much for sharing your pattern. I am going to make them as favors for a baby shower. I am using charm pack squares since they are already cut to the correct size and they are all coordinated.
Thank you for the tutorial, i sewed them yesturday and i had so much fun! I’ve started sewing this year and it s become a real passion!
I loved your tutorial. I had to make a dance bag for my neice and so I “grew” your pattern a bit. I quilted some swirls and used my home embroidery machine to add some designs and voila! a dance bag pyramid! Thanks for the inspiration! (I have a pic of it if you want me to send it to you)
Merci beaucoup pour ces explications. Je vais essayer.
Translation (by Google):
Thank you very much for these explanations. I’ll try.
Thanks soooo much for sharing the process with all of us!
This was an awesome project, thanks for sharing!!! I was able to make the one on the left, but i didnt understand how to make the one on the right with the zipper in the middle. Can you please explain it again? Or, if u have pictures of that step, may i ask you to share the tip with me?
Thanks, love your blog!!!
To make the zipper in the middle, go to picture #14 (the photo with 2 parallel orange lines), there is an explanation of the instruction there.
That is the cutest bag. So creative and inspiring. Can’t wait make some for my girls they will love it.
Thanks
I am a newbie in sewing.
your projects are marvelous.
i wish to try out this one soon.
The most pretty thing is that u share all of them free.
thank you so much.
This a great pattern. However I can not figure out how to sew the purse with the zipper on the flat face(the one pictured on the right). Please show some photos/diagram and some further instructions. ( I did read what you had written at photo 14 but cannot understand)
Thank You, it will be much appreciated.
Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I will try to make one for myself.
Great tutorial! You’ve been featured on the Quality Sewing Tutorials blog.
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Thank you very much for this amazing tutorial. I’ve made a couple of coin purses, and I’ve linked you in my blog. Thanks to help me make some cute and useful gifts for my sisters!
http://enuntita.blogspot.com/2012/02/monederos-piramide.html?showComment=1330878490752#c1948972436269676284
Nice job 🙂 Well done, Epesse, I bet your sisters would love them a lot
I use unused chopsticks for pushing out corners, works great! I order chopsticks from Chinese food delivery even though I don’t use them to eat. Thought I’d share that with you.
Brilliant idea 🙂
complimenti !!!
bellissimi capolavori !!!
sarai immediatamente inserita nel mio blog !!
grazie per condividere i tuoi segreti !!
un grande abbraccio
Ely
Translation (by Google):
congratulations!
beautiful masterpieces!
you will be immediately added to my blog!
Thanks for sharing your secrets!
a big hug
Ely
This may sound like a stupid question, but HOW exactly do you get the zipper to be on the center of the triangle?
I must be a bit dense, because I couldn’t really comprehend how you were saying to do it?
Please, enlighten me a bit more, if you don’t mind? Much appreciated! :’D
I didn’t get it either, I counted down to picture 14 but I didn’t see anything about how to move the zipper
How do I print the instructions? Would love to make these for the kids going back to school
You can print it from your browser’s printer setting. If you are using Internet Explorer, you can select the section you want by click and drag then click “print selection” in the printing setting.
I’m going to try this tomorrow! A friend gave me a big handful of 3″ and 5″ zippers……what do you do with e” zippers??? Maybe you make lots of these!! Thanks for the great tutorial! ~karen
That’s great to hear this 🙂
Me encanta ese monedero,pero no se si las medidas son en pulgadas o centímetros,estoy un poco liada con eso.
De todos modos lo haré, a ver como me sale.
Un saludo
Adi
Translation (by Google):
I love that purse, but not if the measurements are in inches or centimeters, I’m a little tied up with that.
Anyway I will, to see how I get.
a greeting
Adi
Hola, Adi, las medidas son en pulgadas, lo que nos lo hace un poco más complicado a los europeos… De todas formas, te recomiendo que te compres un tapete o base de corte, que para estos trabajos pequeños es fantástico, y viene por un lado con medidas en centímetros y por otro en pulgadas. Un saludo.
Translation (by Google):
Hello Adi, the measures are in inches, which makes us a bit more complicated to Europeans … Anyway, I recommend you buy a table or cutting table, which for these small jobs is fantastic, and comes on one side with measurements in centimeters and the other in inches. A greeting.
Thanks for the recommendation, Epesse, I will look out for this type of table. At the mean time, you can always use the conversion tools http://www.craftpassion.com/conversion on the header. Just type the measurement in Inches and it will covert to the selected unit.
It is really fun. The purse I did is so cute. Love it and bring it on my handbag.
Oh thank you so much, I just love these little purses! mmm .. I had similar little dumplings when I lived in Toronto, such good food there! 🙂 You did a great job on the tutorial, I think I may actually be able to make one of these purses, my mother would find it very handy for her quick trips to the store. Thank you for sharing with us and I hope you had a joyous Dumpling Festival. Julie Andrea
Thanks, and I hope you enjoy sewing some for your loved one and you mom find it handy 🙂
What a lovely festival to celebrate with your family ! Shame I’m far too old to ask your mum to adopt me….
Again, I think your idea is just great and I will love to try and make a purse like that. Your tutorials are so clear and easy to follow ! x
Ha ha ha….
Thanks!!!
I will be making one of these tonight – LOVE them! 🙂 Question – where do you get your zipper pulls? I’ve never found a place where I can get something more than just your basic one.
thanks! 🙂
I bought it from a specialty craft shop locally 🙂
Do they have a website? They add that extra “something” to make this project super cute!
Opppssss…. I am afraid no, they don’t have an online shop, sorry.
thanks for sharing that nice idea. i really love it, looks so cute! and thank you for your good tutorial on your blog full of so many good projects! – always worth a visit!
I hope you had a fine festival.
many greetings from Austria!
Love your ideas!
Amei o PAP, apesar de não entender inglês, mas ficou bem explicadinho pelas imagens. Obrigada e tenha uma linda semana
Translation (by Google):
Loved the PAP, despite not understanding English, but was fine well explained by the images. Thank you and have a beautiful week
Both the purse and dumpling looked so nice! 🙂
Happy Dumpling Festival! This is an ingenious idea. Thank you for the tutorial.
Thanks, Sertyan 😉 Happy Dumpling Festival for you too 🙂