Make a Zipper Pouch
Supplies:
- Outer Fabric
- Lining Fabric
- Pellon Decor Bond Heavy fusible interfacing 809
- Zipper
- Sewing Machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- Rotary mat
- Rotary cutter
- Quilting Ruler
- Sewing Gauge
- Needle and thread (optional)
- Straight pins or clips
- Iron
If you are a visual learner – Watch on YouTube here.
1. Cut out pieces:
Large:
Outer Fabric – cut 2 – 9 1/2” x 11 1/2”
Lining – cut 2 – 9 1/2” x 11 1/2”
Heavy Interfacing – cut 2 – 9 1/2” x 11 1/2”
Zipper – 10” or longer
Tabs – cut 1 – 2” x 5”
Optional Handle – Cut 1 – 1 3/4” x 12 1/2”
Medium:
Outer Fabric – cut 2 – 8” x 10”
Lining – cut 2 – 8” x 10”
Heavy Interfacing – cut 2 -8” x 10”
Zipper – 10” or longer
Tabs – cut 1 – 2” x 5”
Optional Handle – Cut 1 – 1 3/4” x 12 1/2”
Small:
Outer Fabric – cut 2 – 7 1/2” x 8 1/2”
Lining – cut 2 – 7 1/2” x 8 1/2”
Heavy Interfacing – cut 2 – 7 1/2” x 8 1/2”
Zipper – 9” or longer
Tabs – cut 1 – 2” x 5”
Optional Handle – Cut 1 – 1 3/4” x 12 1/2”
Extra Small:
Outer Fabric – cut 2 – 6 1/2” x 8”
Lining – cut 2 – 6 1/2” x 8”
Heavy Interfacing – cut 2 – 6 1/2” x 8”
Zipper – 9” or longer
Tabs – cut 1 – 2” x 5”
Optional Handle – Cut 1 – 1 3/4” x 12 1/2”
2. Iron on the interfacing or fusible fleece to the wrong side of the outer fabric on both pieces.
3. Press Tab. Fold in half lengthwise. Press. Unfold. Fold each side to center. Press. Fold each pressed side together to conceal raw edges. Press. Cut in half so you have two pieces.
4. Make a zipper pouch and cut the end of the zipper off just above the stop (staple). (Don’t use your good fabric scissors as it will dull them) Slip the cut end of zipper into one of the tab pieces, inside the fold. Topstitch 1/8”. The end is done. Trim off the excess beyond the zipper.
IMPORTANT: Unzip the zipper, moving the zipper head down.
5. Measure to the top of the outer fabric, and cut the zipper ONE INCH shorter than the top. Slip the cut end of zipper into the other tab, inside the fold. Topstitch 1/8”. Trim off the excess beyond the zipper.
6. Open the zipper. Lay the zipper face down at the top on the right side of outer fabric. Pin or clip. Zipper should be 1/2’ in on each end. Next, lay lining face down over zipper. Re-pin or re-clip.
7. Sew using a zipper foot 1/4” seam or just move your needle position over.
8. Repeat with the other side to make a zipper pouch.
9. Press seams apart.
10. Topstitch 1/8” away from edge. Sew across inside of tab over first seam. DO NOT sew all the way to the end. Do sew all the way around the zipper.
11. Optionally, add a label to front or in the side seam. You can also add a handle at this point. To make it: Cut it 1 3/4” x 12 1/2”. Fold in half lengthwise. Press. Unfold. Fold each side to center. Press. Fold each pressed side together. Press (like bias tape) Sew down each side of the strap 1/8” from each edge. Insert into the side seam about an inch and a fourth from the zipper.
12. Unzip your zipper a little more than half way.
13. Put right sides together of outer fabrics. Put right sides together of lining fabrics. Pin or clip, matching the seams. Fold the tab in half toward the lining material. You will NOT catch it in the seams.
14. Before sewing, box the corners. Cut out a 1 1/2” block out of each corner using a quilting ruler. {depending on the size of your bag. The smaller bags you only cut out a 1” block out of each corner}. You will NOT sew on the boxes yet to make a zipper pouch.
15. Leave an opening at the bottom of the lining. Sew around the pouch with 1/4” seams. Don’t sew the cut-outs, only the 4 sides. Backstitch over the handle if you added one.
16. For each corner, open and put the raw edges together matching the seams. Open seams or nest them. Sew 1/4” for each boxed corner.
17. Turn right side out through opening. Push the corners out.
18. Sew opening in lining closed by hand stitching or machine stitch 1/8” from edge.
19. Push lining inside to finish making a zipper pouch. Zip it up. You can add a zipper pull or add a charm to the zipper pull.
20. Admire your awesome handiwork!!!
A few tips to embellish:
Add a handle
Add a zipper pull
Embroider a design on one side
Appliqué a design on one side
Use a cricut or cutting machine to add a design
Sew on a patch
Color block with different fabric
Add a label
Make quilt blocks and add batting and quilt together
Learn how to make a tote bag here.
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