How to Make a Simple Heart Change Purse

Adorn the change purse with imitation birthstones.

A heart-shaped, satin-and-rhinestone change purse can make a simple and beautiful travel accessory. The change purse can be small enough to fit inside almost any purse for storage, or it can be attached to a wristlet strap to make it easy to carry your change everywhere. Use the craft as an opportunity to introduce sewing to a child, utilizing leftover scraps of fabric to keep expenses down and letting her embellish the purse with pompoms, ribbon bows and other odds-and-ends.

Things You'll Need

• 1/8-yard fabric of your choice
• 1/8-yard fusible interfacing
• Iron
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• 5-inch zipper
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Lay the fabric on your work surface and draw with chalk a heart that measures 4 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches tall. Cut out the heart shape and use it to make an identical shape from another piece of the same fabric. Use the same heart shape to cut out two hearts from the fusible interfacing.

2. Lay the two fabric hearts on your work surface with right sides facing downward. Lay one piece of interfacing on top of each heart. Iron the pieces together according to the manufacturer’s instructions to fuse the layers and create a sturdier fabric for the change purse.

3. Lay one heart shape on top of the other with right sides together. Measure halfway up each side from the bottom point of the heart and sew a straight stitch from the bottom to this mark on each side. Leave a quarter-inch seam allowance.

4. Flip the purse right-side-out. Lay the zipper along the open top of the purse and pin it in place. Open the zipper and sew a straight stitch to attach the zipper from the inside of the purse.

Tips & Warnings

• Attach a simple wristlet handle to make the change purse easier to carry. Cut a 10-inch-long piece of ribbon, satin cord or suede string before attaching the zipper. Fold the piece in half and tuck the ends into the purse. Sew the ends in place, just above the stitching at one side of the purse.

• Embellish the change purse to add some flair. Use fabric glue to attach imitation gemstones or rhinestones all the way around the outer edge of the front and back of the purse.

References

• Amy Butler's Style Stitches -- 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags: Amy Butler