I adore sewing. It’s homemaking at it’s best and it brings me joy. I’ve always been enamored with zipper pouches. It all began with an itsy bitsy zipper pouch my aunt made when I was young. She must have made a bunch to share with our extended family and I got to have one too (sidenote: these zipper pouches make perfect gifts!). It’s made with a sweet calico and measures a darling 3 3/4″ by 3″. I still have it today and carry it in my purse – it holds my stash of emergency pain relievers and throat lozenges. It’s been worn very soft over the years and I love it. I think of my aunt K every time I see it.
As I’ve said, my sewing skills are not extensive; more utilitarian than fashion-based. However, being able to make these zipper pouches makes me feel like I am an amazing seamstress. With a zipper and an inner and outer fabric, I rock. I promise, the ‘easy’ in the title above is not misleading. Even if your skills are novice at best, you too can do it.
I have plans for other pouch variations but this is the starting point, the most basic of them all.
Supplies:
-fabric*, an inner and outer
-zipper
-thread
-sewing machine
-zipper foot (optional but very helpful)
*I used cotton fabric here although other fabrics work too.
Any dimension works with the appropriately sized zipper. These cuties are 7″ wide (using a 7″ zipper) by 6″ tall.
To begin, stack the fabric. Lay down the outer fabric (right side up), the zipper (right side down) and the inner fabric (right side down).
Make sure everything is lined up along the top (zipper edge) and the sides. Pins are really helpful here.
With the zipper foot, sew the stack together. I always like to check my work to make sure the fabrics are the right direction.
Make sure to repeat the layering and sewing on the other side of the zipper.
Once both sides are sewn, use an iron to press the fabric around the zipper, get it to lay really flat. Top stitch along the edge of the fabric on either side of the zipper. This step keeps the fabric in place and gives the pouch a more finished look.
In prep for the final sewing step, unzip the zipper about halfway.
Pull the two outer fabrics together and pin and repeat with the inner fabrics. Make sure to line up all the edges and make sure the zipper gets folded the same way. I liked the look the most when the zipper sides were pulled back and away from the zipper, towards the inner fabric.
Using a 3/8″ inseam, begin sewing in the middle of the bottom of the inner fabric side. Sew around the whole pouch, leaving at least a 3″ opening from the start. The opening is necessary in order to turn the pouch right side out.
Trim off the corners to help the corners lay better.
Turn the pouch right side out through the opening and then sew the opening closed. You can use your machine but I like to do it by hand.
And that’s it! The pouch is finished.
It’s addictive! Be warned! And you will feel inclined to keep them all for yourself because they are so cute. Just remember to share because you can sew up more whenever you want.
Fun zipper pouch variations!
printed fabric pouch – cotton & vinyl pouch – painted fabric pouch – made fabric pouch
GREAT tutorial. One question: Do you sew over the zipper teeth? I made a bunch of these at Christmas time as gifts and tried dealing with the zipper a few different ways. I seemed to always have trouble getting over those zipper teeth. Can you help?
Thanks for the tutorial! :)
I never imagined these could be so simple. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad, Cozette! I absolutely LOVE sewing them because they are so easy. :)
I am a beginner. When sewing the second side to the zipper, you do it the exact same as the first? Same order? I did it and had to rip it apart. :( Starting again. Thanks.
Loved this tutorial. So simple when you provided step by step directions. Thank you. Folding the zipper towards the inside of the purse when your sewing around the outside is the trick…I was missing that suggestion in other posts..you offered clear direction. Thx