Coin Purse {Tutorial}

July 26, 2011

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Zip-Itself Tetrahedron Coin Purse
Picture 1 of 7
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This zip-itself coin purse is truly an amazing and creative handmade design zip-up to a
tetrahedron shaped coin purse, unzip 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. Get the tutorial on
how to sew zip-itself coin purse with lining after this jump.

I accidentally saw this zip-itself coin purse 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. But, this day hasnt been long before I need to pull my hairs and bite my
fingers to find out the how-to from a mere internet picture. The story goes..

On a relax weekend in June while shopping at a flea market in Straits Quay, I walked towards
the only stall that sells handmade materials and finished handmade. I was so happy to find the
little cutie zip-itself coin purse hanging at the stall. Dawn and San San, the 2 friendly and lovely
lady owners of HaHa Plaza are so nice to guide and teach me how to make this purse. They even
gave me a sample and some materials to try it out. Take a peep to see me shopping at Haha Plaza
stall, yeah, the one wearing green T (thank you, Vickson, for this wonderful photo and uploaded
to their facebook page). I am so glad I made this trip to the flea market, not only to learn to make
this zip-itself coin purse but to be friends with these 3 wonderful people, Dawn, San San and
Vickson. If you happen to be in Penang and would like to get some nice & niche handmade
materials (handles, frames, fabrics, buttons etc), HaHa Plaza will be at the flea market at the
following dates:

July 30, 2011

August 27, 2011
September 24, 2011
October 29, 2011
Time: 10 am to 10 pm

If you are not able to make it to meet them personally, then visit their online shop.

Materials:
1. Zipper (nylon) 20, 1pc.
2. 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.)
3. Ribbon short length for the purse loop.
4. Lining fabric strip (3/4) 20, 1pc. (optional)

Tools:
1. Sewing needles.
2. Matching threads
3. Pins
4. Marker
5. Warm iron (optional, use only with lining)
 Get ready the materials and tools as per quantities
stated above.

Measure 2 3/4 from zippers bottom stop,

including the bottom stop.
Lay the ribbon slightly over the marking. If the ribbon has direction (in this case, the Pucca doll),
the bottom edge should point to the zipper.
Back stitch the ribbon to the zipper, about 1/32 from the teeth in order for the slider to get
through.
Note: I sewed with 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 didnt show a lot
like backstitch from the back, but I swear that it is backstitch
 Bend the zipper tape down at the end, adjust it to
make the edge smooth.
Continue sewing the ribbon. Pin the ribbon on the tape will make sewing easier.

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.
Unzip the zipper.
 Come back to the start point. Arch the tape at the
marking, pin the ribbon to the tape as shown.

Sew ribbon to the tape of the other side of the

zipper.
 Trim 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 determine the beauty of the purse.

Continue back stitching the ribbon to the zipper

tape until you are about 1- 2 away from the top stop.
 Zip-up the zipper and the purse is formed through
a upward spiral closure.

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.
Mark both points.
 Judge the shape from different angle to check if it
is balance.
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.

Arch the longer zipper tape at the marking, the

zipper ends should meet and intersect at the other marking.
Place a ribbon loop on the intersection point of the zipper, pin.
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.
Whip stitch the zipper edges at the back of the purse.
[Update: Thanks to Gandma G's suggestion to add more information in the photo that is self
explanatory.]
 If you would like to line your purse in order to
hide the stitches, do the following.
Fold and press the raw edges to make a 1/2 wide fabric strip. Slip stitch along the stitching lines
of the ribbon.

A fully liner zip-itself tetrahedron coin purse is

completed.