Every time I travel to Mexico I can’t resist buying a meter or two of brightly colored oilcloth. You see it everywhere down there, mostly as cheerful tablecloths. I use it for just about everything. I cover cans with it, I reupholstered my dining chairs and I love to use it for coin purses.

I have a simple pattern for my coin purses. You could use any fabric you like, but since the oilcloth is so thick I don’t have to use any stabilizer. That cuts down on project time, which is good because I have a really short attention span for sewing.

Oilcloth coin purse: a free tutorial from Alaska Knit Nat

Materials:

• 2, 6×8-inch pieces of oilcloth
• one long, nylon zipper (9 inches or longer makes it easier)
• Scissors
• Sewing machine with a zipper foot
• chopstick (optional)

Directions:

1. Place the oilcloth wrong sides together and sew along the long sides, very close to the edge. This keeps everything in place as you work.

2. Switch to your zipper foot. Open up the zipper. Determine which oilcloth you’d like to be the outside. With that side facing you, place the zipper at the top edge, right side facing away from you. Sew the zipper in place along the top edge.

3. Flip the zipper back and top stitch along the right side of the oilcloth on top of where you just sewed.

4. Sew the other side of the zipper the same way, with the right side of the zipper facing the outside oilcloth. This is the part that always confuses me — don’t feel bad if you have to rip this stitch and try again! See image below to get a better idea.

5. Flip the zipper back and top stitch along the right side of the oilcloth on top of where you just sewed.

6. Zip up the zipper leaving about a two-inch opening. It should look like a tube with the lining oilcloth on the outside. Press it down with your hands and determine where you want your zipper to lie. I like it about an inch down from the top.

7. Place the regular foot back on your machine. Sew along one edge of the purse, farther in from the original seam, back stitching at the beginning and end. Backstitch several times along the zipper to secure it. Repeat with the other side.

8. Cut the excess zipper and trim the corners. Unzip the purse all the way from the inside. Turn right-side out and use a chopstick to press out the corners.

Stuff your new creation with coins and admire it every time you take it out of your purse.