How to Make a Coin Purse from a Tube Container

Preparing the Tube Container

1. 1
   Cut off the upper part of the container. Discard the neck piece, keeping the tube.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Clean out the tube. Use warm soapy water to clean out leftover cream, lotion or other contents. Allow to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
   
   
   

Measuring the Purse

1. 1
   Fold the tube in half as shown. Check if it is a good size for a coin purse (have a coin handy to help you test this). If the tube is not the right size, find a larger tube to use.
   
   
   
   

Making the Purse

1. 1
   Prepare cutting lines. Draw a line down the edge of the folded tube to the fold line.
   
   
   
   
2. 2
   Cut along the edge lines. Follow the images for guidance.
   • Clip the container together to assist with cutting. Then cut out the edges as shown.
     
     
     
   • Remove the clip and bend back the top portion after cutting to make a fold line, as shown.
     
     
     
   • Then pinch the tube together at the fold line, as shown. This will form a triangular base and the cut ends will stand upright.
     
     
     
   • Still holding the pinched piece in place, cut across one side of the tube at the fold line, ending in the middle. You are only going to cut off one side.
     
     
     
   • Discard the cut-away portion.
     
     
     
   • You will be left with the basic purse shape.
     
3. 3
   Pinch the flap portion a little to flex it. Then fold it over the base of the purse to check the length. It is likely too long, so you'll need to snip off excess:
   
   
   
   • Cut off the excess in a nice shape, such as curved, as you'd expect to see on a purse.
     
   • Tidy up the base as well by snipping off any unwanted excess.
     
     
     

Forming and Decorating the Purse Flap

1. 1
   Locate a suitable central position on the flap for the clasp hole. Mark it lightly. Then use a hole puncher to punch a neat hole at that spot.
   
   
   
   • How it looks when done:
     
     
     
2. 2
   Cut a small V shape where the hole folds onto the base of the purse. This is a bill clip for those times when you add folded notes. See the image for details.
   • Squeeze the tube together.
     
     
     
   • Cut a small V shape as shown.
     
     
     
   • Push out just a little to check it sits correctly.
     
     
     
3. 3
   Choose the right diameter of bead for a clasp. The bead will need to be large enough to keep the purse flap closed over it, so measure the bead against the hole you've punched in the flap.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Attach a bead for the clasp hole to fit over. Use price tag thread to thread the bead in place where the clasp hole will fold down onto:
   • Pierce a small hole and push the thread through at the clasp end.
     
     
     
   • Gently burn the end that you've pushed through to form a small knot. Use a lighter for this and do it quickly. This knot will prevent the thread from coming back through the hole you've pierced for the thread's entry.
     
     
     
   • Thread the bead onto the purse flap. This is done simply by threading the bead on and knotting it in place with a gentle, quick lighter burn on the thread. Cut off any excess thread.

Embellishing the Coin Purse

For something even more attractive, try adding more embellishment.

1. 1
   Thread a coin with a hole drilled into it, placed just below the clasp. Then thread on the bead. Burn the invisible thread into a small knot.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Do the same just above the clasp, on the lid. The final look is quite spectacular.