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How To Sew “Zip-Itself” Zipper Coin Purse

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This Zip-Itself zipper coin purse is truly an amazing and creative handmade design… zip it up to a tetrahedron-shaped coin purse, and unzip it to a long ribbon.

zip itself coin purse

This small zipper change purse is made from 2 simple materials that you can get from the shop easily – ribbon and zipper. If you wish to line this small zipper coin pouch, then you need an additional fabric strip or more ribbon, but I personally think that this cute little coin purse looks fine without the lining.

zipping up purse

I accidentally saw this Zip-Itself small zipper coin pouch when I did a search for the tetrahedron coin purse and I love the idea. I knew I am going to scratch my head and drill into the detail of the design and make it one day… Here it is, I have got it done and share the How to sew a coin purse with zipper and ribbon below.

lace zipper coin purse

I am showing the hand sewing method on the tutorial page but you may opt to machine sew if you find it is faster and easier in this way.

ribbon zipper coin purse

How To Sew A Zipper Coin Purse With Zipper & Ribbon

scroll ⬇️ to get the free how to sew tutorial

zipper coin purse
HOW TO SEW A ZIP-ITSELF ZIPPER COIN PURSE

HOW TO SEW A ZIP-ITSELF ZIPPER COIN PURSE

Yield: ZIP-ITSELF COIN PURSE
Active Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Avid Beginner/Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $2 - $5

This cute little triangle coin purse is truly an amazing and creative handmade design… zip it up to a tetrahedron-shaped coin purse, and unzip it to a long ribbon. This zip-itself coin purse is made from 2 simple materials that you can get from the shop easily – ribbon and zipper. If you wish to line the small little purse, then you need an additional fabric strip or more ribbon, but I personally think that this small change pouch looks fine without the lining.

Enjoy sewing them!

Materials

  • Zipper (nylon) – 20″, 1pc.
  • Ribbon (1/2″ or 5/8″)- 20″, 1pc. (Note: you can use grosgrain, woven, satin ribbons, or other alternative materials like lace, ric-rac, fabric strip, soft twill tape, etc.)
  • Ribbon – short length for the purse loop.
  • Lining fabric strip (3/4″) – 20″, 1pc. (optional)

Tools

  • Sewing needles.
  • Matching threads
  • Pins
  • Marker
  • Warm iron (optional, use only with lining)

Instructions

MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO SEW ZIP-ITSELF COIN PURSE

  1. zip-itself coin purse materialsGet ready the materials and tools as per quantities stated above

  2. Sew zip itself pursea. Measure 2 3/4″ from zipper’s bottom stop, including the bottom stop.

    b. Lay the ribbon slightly over the marking. If the ribbon has a direction (in this case, the Pucca doll), the bottom edge should point to the zipper.

    c. Backstitch the ribbon to the zipper, about 1/32″ from the teeth in order for the slider to get through.
    *Note: I sewed with a longer stitch on the wrong side but shorter stitch on the right side for the backstitch. Scroll down to the lining step and you will see the stitches on the wrong side. Due to the short stitch on the right side and the way the needle pick up the zipper tap, it didn’t show a lot like backstitch from the back, but I swear that it is backstitch 😉

  3. back stitch sewinga. Bend the zipper tape down at the end, adjust it to make the edge smooth.
    b. Continue sewing the ribbon. Pin the ribbon on the tape will make sewing easier.

  4. sew ribbon and zipper into pursea. Continue sewing until you reach about 4″ – 5″ from the top stop of the zipper. Your actual ribbon should look longer than this, I trimmed some away before taking this picture.
    b. Unzip the zipper.

  5. sew zip itself purseCome back to the start point. Arch the tape at the marking, pin the ribbon to the tape as shown.

  6. sew zipper around ribbonSew ribbon to the tape of the other side of the zipper.

  7. sew smoothly with slip stitchTrim off the extra length, fold the raw edge of the ribbon and slip stitch the ribbon to the tape by following the curve. A nice smooth curvature determines the beauty of the purse.

  8. zipper coin purseContinue backstitching the ribbon to the zipper tape until you are about 1″- 2″ away from the top stop.

  9. zip upZip-up the zipper and the purse is formed through an upward spiral closure.

  10. zipper coin pursea. Press the top edge of the purse to find the top corners of the tetrahedron shape, which is usually the center of the bottom corners.
    b. Mark both points.

  11. zip itself tetrahedron coin pursea. Judge the shape from a different angle to check if it is balanced. b. Once you are satisfied with the shape and marking, unzip the zipper for the next step to continue sewing the ribbon to complete the purse.

  12. a. Arch the longer zipper tape at the marking, the zipper ends should meet and intersect at the other marking.
    b. Place a ribbon loop on the intersection point of the zipper, pin.
    c. Sew to complete the coin purse. Trim off the extra length of the ribbon and insert the raw edge of the ribbon, slip stitch to the tape.
    d. Whipstitch the zipper edges at the back of the purse.
    [Update: Thanks to Grandma G’s suggestion to add more information in the photo that is self-explanatory.]

  13. Slip stitch lining If you would like to line your purse in order to hide the stitches, do the following.
    a. Fold and press the raw edges to make a 1/2″ wide fabric strip.
    b. Slip stitch along the stitching lines of the ribbon.

  14. zip itself tetrahedron coin purse with liningA full lined Zip-Itself coin purse in tetrahedron shape is completed.

zipper coin purse

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram. Don't forget to tag @craftpassion so that we can see it.

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Siew nai lim

Saturday 27th of August 2022

Tqvm for this lovely tutorial. I am having problem understanding the last part. I have tried many times but it still ends up as a rectangle.. Please enlighten me.

Thks a lot

Sally

Friday 9th of October 2020

Can you please help me, my zipper is 18" do I still stop 4-5" before zipper stop, or do I still maintain the ratio, or do I do exactly what you have said?

Craft Passion

Friday 16th of October 2020

Hi Sally, this purse needs 20" zipper, 18" is not enough to complete the coin purse.

Jenni Davis

Thursday 11th of February 2016

Hello, Ive just made one of these for my daughter. She loves it, especially the fact that when completely opened out it makes the letter L (her name starts with L). My only issue is the final shape. I didnt quite get the same shape as yours. I found the last three steps a little confusing. Otherwise, great tutorial. Jen

Marie

Friday 29th of January 2016

I sat down and just started!! What a lovely idea, so easy once you've made the first one. I am going to make more for gifts! Thank you.

Emily

Thursday 11th of December 2014

Hi! I have made these coin purses many times and love them! I was wondering if it is permissible to make and sell them in small amounts using this tutorial? Thanks!

Craft Passion

Thursday 11th of December 2014

I don't prohibit anyone to sell their own handmade at this moment, but the permission is subject to revise in future.

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