How to Make a Vintage Storybook Coin Purse

I’ve used a page from an old story book as the paper insert, but you could also use fabric, patterned decorative scrapbook paper, or even children’s artwork.

What a lovely gift for a grandparent to receive a coin purse with a grandchild’s artwork.

You will need:

• 2 pieces of clear PVC vinyl, 10 x 4.5 inches (25 x 11.5cm)
• A scanned and printed image out of a vintage story book. I’ve just used normal office paper to print on, some pretty gift wrap or piece of fabric would work well too.
• Scissors
• Sewing machine and thread
• Metal press studs, tool and hammer or adhesive velcro dots

How to make a coin purse:

Cut out your pieces of PVC using the measurements as a guide. Round the top corners. Both pieces should be exactly the same.

Cut out your illustrated paper about the same shape but a little smaller (1/4 inch or 0.5cm on each edge).

a. Sandwich your paper in between the 2 pieces of PVC and fold the bottom third up as pictured. Sew the top seam.

b. Now sew the side seam right around and back down the other side.

c. Mark where the studs need to go and using your tool and hammer insert as per instructions on pack. (hint when adding the lower one, slide a piece of cardboard in the pocket to protect the underside as you hammer or even better, add it before you sew the side seams up) or use adhesive velcro dots instead.

Some hints on sewing with PVC – A walking foot or teflon foot helps. Sew slowly, you may need to turn the flywheel by hand to start and finish. If you have any extra hints, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Reader tips for sewing PVC plastic:

“If you find your sewing machine foot sticks to the vinyl, put a single drop of 3-in-one (or other machine oil) on your finger. Rub the oily finger on the bottom of the foot. The oil is easily wiped off both the foot and the vinyl later, and unlike tape, leaves no sticky residue. You could also use vegetable oil if you have no machine oil handy.” – Joan

“Scotch tape! If you don’t have a Teflon foot for your machine use matte scotch tape on the metal base plate on either side of the feed dogs, and then again along the bottom of the presser foot. Works great.” – Carey

“I found that putting paper, tracing paper, on top of the vinyl makes it easier to sew.” – Raven

All done! Make one for yourself and a few for your friends.

Here’s another easy project using vintage storybook pages: Vintage Storybook Soap