Coin Purse Keyring - Quick and Easy Tutorial

There are hundreds of these coin purses, all over the internet - and I think I can see why.  Not only is it a quick and really easy project, it's incredibly useful.  It can also be made from scraps and leftovers - you could even unpick a zip from an unwanted garment and re-purpose a split ring from an old key fob.

I think my version would work particularly well with denim, calico or linen (for its fraying potential!) and a floral or bright spotty lining.  Whatever you choose, you won't need much fabric.

My vintage-style floral print was left over from a recent Abakhan purchase (the lining was some fabric the lovely Sarah kindly gave me at a craft fair!) and my granddaughter has this same floral print lining the first-ever tote bag she made.

Oh, and if you are scared of zips, this project is a very easy confidence-builder! A good a place to begin as any, I think.  It's an ideal project for beginners in general.

For me, this keyring coin purse will keep at hand some coins for car parking and supermarket trolleys.  It will also house that all-important "emergency fiver" - you know, so I always have some cash at hand.  I'm thinking that with inflation it should be an emergency tenner nowadays!

OK, this is my super-quick tutorial:

You'll need: two different fabrics, a nylon zip (any length - if you have to buy one, buy the shortest available), and a split ring.  Oh and some thread, either matching or contrasting - you choose.

Cut out the fabric as follows:

10cm x 10cm: 1 main fabric, 1 lining fabric

10cm x 7.5cm: 1 main fabric, 1 lining fabric

10cm x 4cm: 1 main fabric, 1 lining fabric

12cm x 5cm: 1 main fabric (this is the strap - you could omit this and use 12cm of ribbon instead)

Making up the coin purse:

Sew the 10cm x 7.5cm pieces right sides together along one long edge only, using a 1cm seam allowance.  Repeat with the 10cm x 4cm pieces.

Turn to right sides.  Press open then fold and press again.

Place the two stitched edges onto the zip.  Pin in position (you can baste/tack by hand first, if you are unsure about stitching zips).

the top of the zip shouldn't be right at the edge of the fabric...

leave a space (as above) for the seam

Stitch along both sides of the zip.  If you like the look of my stitching, aim for three or four rows of slightly wonky stitching each time (see, I told you this project is perfect for beginners!).

Make a strap for attaching to the split ring: fold the fabric in half lengthways, then fold in again so the raw edges are in the middle.  Stitch along both edges of the strap.

Chop off the rest of the zip.  At this stage do not be tempted to open the zip!!

Lay the zipped piece on top of the other two fabrics, placing them in the order the finished purse will be - linings inside, main fabric outside.  Insert the strap either at one corner or edge.

(if you want to make a pincushion like mine, the tutorial is here)

Stitch around all four edges, including sewing over the ends of the zip.  Your machine should cope easily with this as long as you have a nylon (not metal!) zip.

Your purse is finished - I felt mine needed a run through a wash cycle to fray up the edges

which I then trimmed (and pressed) so the fraying wasn't too ridiculous - although the option's yours!  I think it did kinda lose something in the neatening-up process...

And it needs a split ring.  If you are adding to an existing bunch of keys, you can just slip it onto a ring already on there, like I did.

On my never-ending quest to becoming a more organised me, I think my little coin purse keyring might be a tiny but significant step!