How to Sew a Simple Wristlet Purse
A simple wristlet purse is perfect for when you don’t want to carry a large purse or handbag.
Sew a simple wristlet purse and carry in your handbag or around your wrist. Add a couple small slip pockets for your license and credit cards or add a zipper pocket for coins. You can also make the wristlet without any pockets and sew a matching small zipper pouch / coin purse for your cards and money to fit perfectly inside. This wristlet pattern is big enough for your phone so you can grab it and go without carrying a big purse.
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***You can find the ad-free, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase HERE. Includes 16-pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures and templates. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Simple wristlet sewing supplies:
- Cotton fabric – two fabric pieces for the outside of the wristlet measuring 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches – my favorite fabric shop
- Two outer fabric pieces for the long strap (14 inches by 2 inches) and short strap (3 inches by 2 inches)
- Two fabric pieces for the inside of the wristlet measuring 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- Fusible interfacing – Pellon 911FF Fusible Interfacing is perfect for this sewing project
- Wristlet hardware – one 1/2 inch D-ring and one 1/2 inch swivel lobster claw clasp
- 7-inch zipper
- Matching thread
- Straight pins
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine
Keep track of your sewing projects, like this one, with a sewing planner. This sewing planner is specifically designed for non-clothing sewing projects and helps you stay organized – fabric used, measurements, hardware used, notes, etc. Also included are pages such as sewing tips and fabric shops. Get your sewing planner HERE.
Measure and cut your fabric
Using your cutting mat, clear ruler and rotary cutter, cut two pieces of outer fabric and two pieces of lining fabric each measuring 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches.
For the long strap, cut one piece of the outer fabric measuring 14 inches by 2 inches. For the short strap, cut one piece of outer fabric measuring 3 inches by 2 inches. The long and short straps will be folded to make each strap 1/2 inch wide.
Attach the fusible interfacing
I use Pellon 911FF fusible featherweight interfacing for all my handbag sewing projects. It’s just thick enough to add extra durability.
Cut four pieces of interfacing – two for the outside fabric pieces and two for the lining fabric pieces. You want the interfacing to be the same size or just a little smaller than the fabric pieces.
Do the same for the straps as well. For the long strap only, cut the interfacing about 1/2-inch shorter on each end to make it less bulky when hemming the strap in a later step.
Attach the fusible interfacing to all pieces of fabric, following the package instructions.
Make the wristlet straps
Fold the long strap in half lengthwise and press along the fold.
Open back up and fold the outside edge to the center and press the fold.
Turn it around and fold the other outside edge to the center and press.
Fold the strap in half again and press.
Open up the strap and fold in each short end to hem and press the fold. Fold back together and press again.
Repeat with the short strap. Note: You will not need to hem the short ends of the short strap.
Pin in place. The above picture shows what the straps look like at this point.
Straight stitch both straps along each edge lengthwise using about 1/4 inch seam allowance.
The above picture shows the sewn straps.
***You can find the ad-free, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase HERE. Includes 16-pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures and templates. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Add the zipper
For this wristlet, I’m adding a 7-inch zipper. The zipper is measured from the top metal stop to the bottom metal stop.
Rule of thumb: you’ll want your fabric to be 1 1/2 inches wider than the length of your zipper.
If you have a zipper that is too long, follow these instructions to shorten your zipper.
Place your zipper face down on one of the outer fabric pieces. Pin to hold in place.
Then place one or your lining fabric pieces on top of the zipper. Pin in place. The zipper should be face down, sandwiched between the outer fabric piece and lining fabric piece, right sides together.
Sew the zipper
Before sewing the zipper, open the zipper up about an inch – this will help with a smooth line of sewing.
Be sure your upper thread matches your outer fabric and your bobbin thread matches your lining fabric.
Use your zipper foot for sewing the zipper. Begin sewing the zipper, then when you get to the place almost to the zipper pull, with the needle down, lift the zipper foot and move the zipper pull back to the top. Then lower the foot and continue sewing.
The above picture shows what the first side of the sewn zipper looks like at this point.
Top stitch along the zipper – make sure your corners and edges are lined up. This gives the wristlet a finished look and keeps the fabric from getting caught in the zipper.
You now have one side of your simple wristlet finished.
Repeat with the other fabric pieces
Now you’re going to repeat the same process to sew the other side of the wristlet zipper.
Place the zipper on top of the other lining fabric piece – lining fabrics right sides together. Pin to hold in place.
Place the outer fabric piece on top of the zipper – outer fabric pieces right sides together.
Sew the zipper – repeating the same process of opening and closing the zipper to sew a smooth line.
Top stitch along the zipper.
The above picture shows what your wristlet should look like at this point.
Add the small strap with D ring
Slide the small strap through the D-ring and fold over.
Baste the small strap to attach to the outer fabric close to the zipper with the D-ring facing inside. See above pictures. Remember, you are only attaching it to the outer fabric, not the lining fabric.
Sew the wristlet together
It’s time to sew this simple wristlet together. Open the zipper to about halfway – you will need the zipper opened for turning.
Fold the wristlet so the outer fabric pieces are right sides together and the lining pieces are right sides together.
Pinch the zipper so the teeth are facing towards the lining of the wristlet and pin in place.
Sew around the perimeter of the wristlet, going over the strap a couple times for extra durability. Leave an opening at the bottom of the lining fabric for turning. Then zigzag stitch around to prevent the fabric from fraying.
With your sewing scissors, clip the corners and the parts of the short strap that are sticking out.
Through the bottom opening, reach inside and open the zipper all the way then turn right side out. Push out the corners. Press the opening.
Straight stitch to close the opening.
Push the lining fabric inside the wristlet. Press.
Attach the wristlet long strap
Take one end of the long strap and feed it through the D-ring attached to the wristlet. Fold over and sew – once with about 1/4 inch from the edge and then again with about 1/8 inch from the edge. Be sure to sew over a couple times to secure.
Now take the other end of the long strap and feed it through the swivel lobster claw clasp and sew together the same way.
Clip the swivel clasp onto the D-ring.
***You can find the ad-free, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase HERE. Includes 16-pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures and templates. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
You are finished!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this sewing tutorial on how to make a simple wristlet purse. Happy sewing!
Pin for later!
Related handbag sewing tutorials
- How to Sew a Simple Tote Bag
- Lined Zipper Pouch Sewing Tutorial
- Gift Card / Credit Card Holder Sewing Project
