Zipper Pouch Tutorial

It is snowing like crazy outside and I am home from work, so today is a good day to put together this tutorial. This is my version of a zipper pouch. They can be used for endless things..cosmetics, money, pencils, etc. You have to be familiar with sewing with zippers, but other than that, I feel these are pretty easy.

First, you will need the following:

• Fabric! 2 exterior pieces for the main fabric and 2 for the lining. Mine measured 8 3/4" x 6", but depending on your zipper size and how deep you want it, you can adjust this.
• Interfacing. I used 2 fusible pieces for the exterior fabric only(interfacing is hidden in photo).
• Zipper. The one used for this project was 8"

 

 

First, make sure your zipper foot is attached and ready on your sewing machine. Next, I take the exterior (whale) fabric and place it face UP. Next take the zipper and place it face DOWN along the top long edge. Last, take the lining (stripes) and place it face DOWN onto the zipper. It's a nice sandwich now.

 

Pin and sew.

Do the same for the other side of the zipper.

 

Next, I open it so the exterior fabric is face up and the lining is under each side.

 

Then, I topstitch. You can skip this step if you like, but I like the way it looks and it also helps keep the fabric from getting caught in the zipper :)

Now, Unzip.

 

Take the 2 exterior pieces and put them right sides together, and then do the same for the lining pieces. Pin, and sew all around, leaving about a 3 inch opening in the long edge of the lining Backstitch at the opening. The black outline is where you sew.

Be careful going over the zipper ends. Just make sure you are not sewing over the metal at the ends. I have broken a few needles! Also, before sewing, make sure the teeth of the zipper are facing into the lining. It just makes a nicer looking finished product. Clip the corners after sewing, and any long ends of the zipper.

Now is the fun part! Using the opening in the lining, turn it right side out. Make sure you take time and poke out the corners, and also the zipper end so it's not tucked in.

You just have to sew up the lining hole and you're done! Tuck the lining into the main fabric and press.

On a snowy day you can whip up a bunch :) I had all of these pre-cut a few weeks ago, so it makes it quick to get these all done :) Hope that was easy to follow. It's my first tutorial, so hopefully it's not too hard!