simple zippered pouch

 

Zippered pouches are really easy to make and once you start, you’ll see so many possibilities (and you won’t be able to stop making them).  This tutorial shows how to make a simple lined zippered pouch with a boxed bottom.  There’s a contrasting stripe at the bottom.

 

simple pouch, lottie da
simple zippered pouch

This little zippered pouch I made up for my son’s teacher as an end-of-school year present.  I loved the apple print is Mixed Apples from Taali by Monaluna for this and the green is a cross-weave woven fabric from Moda in Wasabi (love the name of that color).  It’s my newest favorite green (so you’ll be seeing more of it).

 

simple zippered pouch


UPDATE::  I’ve made a few minor changes to the zipper instructions to help you get perfect zipper ends and changed a few photos.

So to make this pouch, you’ll need two fat quarters, a nine inch zipper and some interfacing or fleece.  I used fusible fleece for my lining.

 

lottie da simple zippered pouch

 

Cut the main fabric (top) into two 10″w x 6.5″h pieces.  Cut the bottom fabric into two 10″ x 10″ pieces, two 10″ x 4.5″ pieces, and two 2.5″ x 1.5″ pieces.    If you’re adding lining like interfacing (to give it strength and keep it’s shape) or fusible fleece (which will give it a softer feel and some shape), cut two pieces 9.5″ x 9.5″.

Take your 2.5″ x 1.5″ pieces and fold in half (making it 1.25″ x 1.5″) and iron.  Open and fold raw edge in 1/4″.  (Repeat for the other side).

 

simple zippered pouch

Insert the top end of the zipper into your fabric tab.  Fold the edge of the tab over the top.  Stitch in place.

You may need to pin this in place before you move the zipper pull back out of the way to ensure it will close properly when you’re done sewing.

 

simple zippered pouch

Trim your zipper to 9″ (total length).  Even if you are using a zipper that was marked 9″, the total length (including the ends) is longer than that.  Trim so the total length is 9″.

Place the trimmed end of the zipper into the other tab, all the way to the fold of the tab.  Sew in place.  Set aside.  With the tabs on your zipper, the total length should be 9″.

 

simple zippered pouch

Place the bottom stripe (10″ x 4.5″) and the top piece (10″ x 6.5″) right sides together and sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
simple zippered pouch
 Iron the seam down (toward the bottom).
simple zippered pouch
Top stitch in place (if desired).   Repeat for the other side of the pouch.
simple zippered pouch

Add interfacing to the wrong side of the outside pieces of the pouch.  They are slightly smaller than the side.   Make sure they are centered.

Sandwich the exterior piece (right side up), the zipper (teeth down) and the lining (right side down).  Make sure the zipper is centered so there is 1/2″ of space at each end.

 

simple zippered pouch

simple zippered pouch

 

Pin in place and sew with a zipper foot.

 

simple zippered pouch

When you close to the end, stop with the needle down, lift the pressure foot and pull the zipper pull under the pressure foot and back out of the way so you can finish sewing in the zipper.

 

simple zippered pouch

 

Press the lining and the exterior away from the zipper to expose it.  Repeat the process for the other side.

 

simple zippered pouch

Press fabric again (from the back also) to make sure it’s out of the way of the zipper.  Make sure your iron isn’t too hot for this step or you can melt the zipper (if you’re using a plastic one).

 

simple zippered pouch

Top stitch along the edge of the fabric to keep it in place (repeat for the other side).
simple zippered pouch
simple zippered pouch
simple zippered pouch
Open up the bag so that the right sides of the exterior are touching and right sides of the lining are touching.  Pin so that the zipper is facing the lining (or pushed in that direction).
simple zippered pouch
simple zippered pouch
Make sure the zipper is at least half way open.  Sew around the pouch with a 1/4″ seam allowance leaving an opening large enough to turn it right side out at the bottom of the lining, but don’t turn it yet. When you pass where the zipper is, you shouldn’t catch the tabs at all in your sewing.
Finally, we’re going to box the corners.
Pull the fabric at the corners out so that the seams line up and you create a triangle.  Measure where it’s 2″ across and mark with a fabric pen.
simple zippered pouch
 Sew along this line back and forth a couple of times.  Trim the excess fabric.  Repeat for all four corners.
simple zippered pouch

 

Turn the pouch right side out, keeping the lining out.

 

simple zippered pouch

Tuck the raw edges of the lining in and sew close to the edge with your machine (or you can stitch it up by hand to hide the stitches).  Tuck the lining into your pouch and you’re done.

 

simple zippered pouch

 

Happy Sewing!

 

lottie da simple zippered pouch
12 Comments

12 Comments on Simple Zippered Pouch – a Tutorial

  1. Wasabi, what a great name!! I love the contrasting stripe at the bottom. I am definitely going to make one of these. Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial 🙂

  2. i love this zipper pouch so much! that wasabi is killer! so i’m trying one right now and i’m stuck on the zipper step-my tabs seem to overhang on the edges by 1/2’on either side of the bag pieces-is that going to matter? i’ve checked and double checked measurements and i don’t see what i could have done differently? any thoughts? thanks!

  3. These are wonderful and thanks for all the detailed pictures, it will really help when I go to put one of these together myself. Love the fabric choices.

  4. Hi, I have just finished my wasabi make up bag and am so so happy with how it turned out, I added a bit of ric rac and a button for just fun, thanx for tutorial with great pictures

  5. Finally! I found it! A great tutorial on how to make PERFECT zipper tabs! My Niece LOVES the bag I made her (me too)! Thanks! I’m a newbie blogger (and sewer) but, I did manage to post a pic of the bag. 🙂

      • Thank you! Going to try and take a little off the width and turn it into a sling purse for my mom. Thanks for sharing your great tutorial!!!

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