How to make a fabric purse

Perfect for your cards or coins, these wallets are easy to spot in your bag

It's so easy to make these pretty fabric purses that they're the perfect beginner project. If you've just started experimenting with a sewing machine, making these fabric purses will have you stitching in no time. Using a straight stitch setting throughout, our fabric purse tutorial is so simple to follow that even little ones can have a go with adult supervision.

Plus, you can use up your stash of scrap fabrics leftover from other projects too. Once you've made one, you might as well sew up a whole set and give them to friends and families as gifts. Experiment with plains and prints, matching the snap fastenings to the dominant colour in the patterned fabric. Then, have a go at making a matching shopper, try sewing this embroidered tote bag or this simple cotton bag.

After you've mastered that, have a go at using up fabric remnants on this patchwork quilt.

To make a purse you will need:

• Paper, pencil, scissors and ruler
• Patterned cotton fat quarters
• 12 x 19cm thin fusible batting for each wallet
• Snap fastenings
• Bias tape maker

How to make a fabric purse:

1. Cut out two pieces of fabric measuring 11.5 x 19cm. Mark 6cm in along both long edges. Mark the centre of the nearest short edge and join the marks to create the triangle flap. Repeat on the other piece of fabric.

2. Cut a piece of batting 5mm smaller than the fabric and fuse to one of the pieces.

3. If you’d like a loop for a key ring, use the bias tape maker to create 5cm piece of tape. Fold in half and sew to one of the fabric pieces.

4. With the fabric pieces right sides together, sew the edges with a 5mm seam allowance leaving a small gap for turning through.

5. Turn right sides out and press. Fold the bottom of the wallet up by 6.5cm and press. Stitch all the way around the edges leaving the bottom unstitched. Attach a snap fastening following the manufacturers instructions and snap closed.