Zipper pouches are a quick and easy project, perfect for beginners. Organize your stuff – whether it is in your purse, bag or backpack, your sewing, quilting and embroidery projects or even in your office! Seriously, these are super quick – you can make a zipper pouch in 20 minutes. This is a lined zipper pouch tutorial. All you need is some fabric and a zipper. We’ve put together this step-by-step zipper pouch tutorial.
How to Make a Zipper Pouch
Zipper pouches are so quick and easy to make. Keep organized and make these from your fabric scraps! Have fun with different fabric combinations.
Materials
- Two (2) pieces of fabric cut 8" x 6" for outside of pouch
- Two (2) pieces of fabric cut 8" x 6" for lining of pouch
- One (1) 7" zipper
- Thread
- Optional: 4" of 1/8" ribbon
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Corner turner, can use a bodkin or knitting needle
Instructions
- Cut your fabrics.
- Start by lining your closed zipper, right sides together, along the long edge of your outside fabric. (This is the side that is 1 inch longer than the zipper teeth.) Stitch using the zipper foot on your machine close to the zipper. Do this on both sides with both of your outside fabrics.
- Now, turn over and line the wrong side of the zipper with the right side of the lining fabric on one long side. Fabrics will be right sides together. Sew close to the zipper using your zipper foot. Repeat for the other side of the zipper.
- Press the fabric away from the zipper for both the lining and outside fabrics.
- Open your zipper for the next step. If you don't, your pouch won't turn inside out and you'll be doing some 'unsewing'! 🙂 Ask me how I know!
- Now open up the pouch and line up the outside fabrics right sides together and the lining fabrics right sides together.
- Leaving about a 2" gap in the bottom of the lining, sew all around the edges with a 1/2" seam allowance. I like to make sure the seam is folded toward the lining.
- Here is the pouch sewn. See the gap I left in the bottom of the lining?
- Trim the corners to reduce bulk and make for a nicer corner when turned right side out.
- Here is the sewn pouch, corners trimmed, ready to be turned right side out.
- From the bottom opening, carefully turn the zipper pouch right side out. Using your corner turner, gently press out your corners being careful not to stretch the fabric or poke through the corner. If you are using a bodkin or knitting needle, be very careful with poking out the corner.
- Press everything flat. While you are pressing, press the seam allowance in on the opening. Topstitch the opening closed. You can hand stitch if you prefer, but since it is in the lining, I find just doing a quick topstitch is super easy and efficient.
- Push the lining into the ouch, press and you have a zipper pouch ready to organize your stuff!
- If you'd like, add a fun pull to the zipper by threading one or more ribbons or trims through the end of the zipper tab and tying a knot.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This post may contain links to Amazon or other partners. Your purchases via these links may benefit Create Whimsy. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
Make zipper pouches in different sizes! Use pretty much any size zipper and cut your fabrics to the sizes you’d like. To have the zipper go across the top with no excess fabric, cut your fabric 1″ wider than the actual teeth of the zipper. So that your pouch isn’t too deep for the opening, cut your fabric about 1/2 of the total width PLUS 2 – 3″. Here are sizes I like to use:
- 4-inch zipper, cut fabrics 5″ wide x 4″ high for a finished pouch 4″ x 3″
- 9-inch zipper, cut fabrics 10″ wide x 7″ high for a finished pouch 9″ x 6″
- 12-inch zipper, cut fabrics 13″ wide x 8″ high for a finished pouch 12 x 7″
You can use up to four (4) fabrics and have some fun. Make these zipper pouches for gifts, or use as gift wrap for small items. Pick a bright and cheerful color and design for the lining. Stay away from white or light colors – they get dirty fast.
Are zipper pouches washable?
Yes! I prewash all of my fabrics before I use them, so I don’t need to worry about shrinkage. Just toss in the washer and dryer, if your pouch gets dirty. Stubborn stains? Pretreat with a stain remover before washing.
This bag is included in our Easy Bags to Sew article. Browse through more sewing projects on Create Whimsy. Check out all of our bag projects and inspiration.
