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Zipper Pouch Tutorial – With A Free Template

Diy Gifts· Free Patterns· Sewing· Sewing Bags· Sewing Patterns· Tutorials

This zipper pouch tutorial will make a wonderful beginner sewing project, especially if you are new to sewing zippers. This free sewing project comes with a pdf zipper pouch pattern. And just think of all the color combinations you can choose! Woo-hoo! Scroll down to get your free zipper pouch pattern.

zipper pouch tutorial

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ZIPPER POUCH TUTORIAL

You can’t have enough zippered pouches. They are my favorite items to sew, and they make perfect holiday gifts. Follow this easy, step-by-step tutorial and sew one of these beauties yourself!

zipper pouch tutorial

What I love about zippered pouches is that they are so versatile. They are great for storing anything, from crafting bits and pieces to keys and documents. They can hold trinkets. As pencil pouches, they can house pencils or crayons for kids. They can easily turn into cosmetic bags to hold makeup. You can even store sewing accessories in them. Buttons! Ribbons! Or even stuff them with treats! (Can you imagine a generous ’emergency’ supply of Hershey’s miniature chocolate bars? Yummy 😉

zipper pouch tutorial

The little lined bag I sew last time is easy to make, so I thought you’d like to try one too: here’s your chance to tailor one totally to your likes – grab your favorite fabrics and make one! You can choose the size, the color, anything! (But just in case you don’t want to second-guess your dimension choices, I’m also giving you a free template to use. Read on.)

Supplies

YOU’LL NEED: 

    • a zipper (no shorter than the length of the fabric pieces
    • 4 pieces of cute fabric (2 for lining and 2 for outer)
    • optional: a small (1″ wide, 2″ long) piece of fabrics folded into a pull to add to the side of the pouch
    • thread
    • pins
    • sewing machine
    • the free zipper pouch pattern (available in the subscriber-resource library for all newsletter subscribers – join the free newsletter here!)

PDF Zipper Pouch Pattern

the free pdf template is available to all newsletter subscribers, as a thank-you for following along.
Sign up for my newsletter and get the full template once you confirm your subscription!
You’ll also get a pattern from my shop for free. If you’re already a subscriber, you can access the template with the password in each newsletter, in the resource library:
subscriber-exclusive freebie resources
zipper pouch tutorial

Get Your Free PDF Sewing Template:

Get free planner in the resource library.
Log in the Freebie Library using the password from the newsletter.
Sign up for my free newsletter HERE and get access to the free template in the Resource Library once you confirm your subscription:
free resource library ApleGreen Cottage
You’ll also get a pattern from my shop for free and access to all the free patterns and templates on this site.
 I drew the template after sewing several pouches like the one in the photo, in one go. I used what I believe to be the most versatile size. Initially, it was a simple non-printable image.

But then in time this tutorial got popular, and many of you have asked me for a real, PDF sewing pattern. Well, it was not fair to keep you waiting any longer, so here it is. It should help you make these cuties even faster.

Need a larger pouch for extra long pencils? No problem:

Just measure the longest colored pencils against the template and you’ll see if you need to add an inch to the template. Feel free to adjust the pattern as you see fit. Just make sure the zipper is approximately the same length as the fabric pieces.

This is a lined pouch, so another splash of color will be waiting for you inside the pouch. You can opt for a complimentary or contrasting color. Solids or patterned fabrics. Your call!

And if you are looking for some adorable new fabric, you can check out these cute fabrics by peek-a-boo. (They’ve also got gorgeous animal prints!)

Sewing steps:

1) Use the free template to cut out 4 pieces of fabric: 2 for the outside, 2 for lining. Lay down the lining piece (face-up), then the zipper (face-up) and finally the outer fabric piece (face-down!) as seen in the photo below:
zipper pouch tutorial

2) Sew through all three layers. (Use the zipper foot if you like, I didn’t.)

BONUS HINT, if you are using regular foot: when sewing, you’ll get to the zipper pull sooner or later. When you do, stop sewing and lift up the foot, keeping the needle down. Slide the zipper pull to an already sewn area. Return foot down into the sewing position and finish the seam.
zippered pouch tutorial
3) Press the fabric away from the zipper. Topstitch the fabric along the zipper to prevent getting it caught by zipper teeth. Some say this is optional, but I ALWAYS do that. It makes the pouch soo much prettier! I even didn’t switch to my zipper foot, to show you can toptitch using your regular zipper foot, too. Easy-peasy!
zippered pouch tutorial

4) This is how the topstitched part looks like:

zippered pouch tutorial

5) Repeat on the other side of the zipper: sandwich the zipper between the 2nd outer piece and the 2nd lining piece.

Carefully: the top the zipper should face the right side of the outer fabric. Double check to see if also the two outer pieces are facing right sides together. Are they? Good, go on!
Now sew the stack together, just like you did the first time (sewing through all 3 layers).

zippered pouch tutorial

6) Topstitch along the zipper, just like you did the first time.

zippered pouch tutorial

7) This is how it looks like now:

zippered pouch tutorial with a free pattern
 8) Now unzip the zipper at least half of the way and pull the outer fabric pieces together, right sides facing. Pull the lining pieces together, right sides facing, too. Pin in place. (And see the next photo for a tiny but significant detail!)
zippered pouch tutorial with a free pattern
9) BONUS HINT #2: zipper teeth must face AWAY from the outer fabrics!
This tiny detail will make your zipper pouch look professional! When pinning, carefully pin the zipper so that zipper teeth will face AWAY from the outer fabric (i.e. they wil be tucked into the lining pieces) – see the photo. When pinning this area and taking this photo, I closed the zipper for a moment as it was easier to match the fabrics exactly. If you do the same, make sure you UNZIP it again before proceeding.
zippered pouch tutorial with a free pattern

10) Insert a pull if you like. Note: The loop should be facing inwards!

zipper pouch tutorial
 BONUS HINT #3: I make these pulls in bulk from scrap fabrics, whenever I feel like. They are handy for many projects, and having them on hand will make the sewing process faster. They can be used on towels (adding them for easy hanging, you can even make color-coded towel loops!), loops on home made baby toys (like in this free PDF baby ball pattern), you name it.
And if you do make a pull, why not adding an easy-to-make wristlet strap? Go to the wristlet strap tutorial HERE (click).  Beginner friendly, easy and quick (with a professional look!)
how to sew a wristlet strap
Now, with or without an additional tab, let’s go on with the tutorial:
11) Stitch around, starting at the lining bottom. Go around and stop at the lining bottom again, leaving a few inches open for turning. (see the double pin markings on photos above!) Trim the corners to avoid bulky finish – take care not to snip into any stitches:
zipper pouch tutorial

12) Now, turn the pouch right sides out:

zipper pouch tutorial
13) This is the time to iron any creases or wrinkles if you like.
easy zipper pouch tutorial
14) Last thing to be done: hand-stitch or machine-stitch the opening closed.
easy zipper pouch tutorial

15) Voilà! Here it is, your brand new zipper pouch!

easy zipper pouch tutorial
Now when you’ve finished your first cute zipper pouch, you can sew a few more at any time! They will make a great gift, that’s for sure (telling you this as haven’t managed to keep a single one for myself yet!) They will be a perfect match to a home made sleep mask (free pattern here), or a large good looking tote bag!
easy zipper pouch tutorial

Save for later:

easy zipper pouch tutorial
Damjana

Want More Free Patterns+Tutorials?

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free pattern for a fabric hanging basket

You also get access to my entire FREEBIES Library.

Or …go straight to one of my most popular PDF patterns – a tiny and cute zipper pouch:

tria mini coin pouch - PDF pattern
Get pattern HERE.

If you like sewing zipper pouches, you’ll LOVE this one!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Fabi says

    This is really great8
    Finally a tutorial that i understand.
    It seems so easy to make.
    I saved it and i'm going to try to make this as soon as i have a little bit more time.
    Nice for all kinds of presents.
    Thnx for sharing!

    Reply

  3. Becky says

    I love this pouch & want to make one. But I want to print the pattern & cannot find a print version. Even my browser does not offer a print option. Can u offer a PDF version.

    Reply

    • Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says

      Becky,

      thanks for reaching out! It looks like many of my readers would want a printable pdf version, so I find it only fair to help out. It's not official yet but I'm telling you the good news (anyway, not many people have time to read comments, do they?): I'm making one. Please let me know your email address, I'll make sure to send you a link when the pdf printable is online! Have a great day,

      Reply

  6. Cheri Hage says

    Neat tutorial !! Maybe I'm more tired tonight, but do you offer the pattern for the sleep mask too ? I couldn't find that 🙁 Thanks for sharing your posts~

    Reply

    • Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says

      Hi Cheri,
      and thanks for asking! Oh the sleep mask, I love it! I've already made photos but have just not yet managed to complete the entire tutorial with the pattern included. Feel free to drop by again, I should have the pattern published ..soon! (And off course, I'm talking about a free patttern, like others on the site!)

      Reply

  8. Nina says

    I love the fabric that you used for these little pouches! Cute, cute, cute. I think I'll make up a bunch so that I can give them to my little granddaughters!

    Reply

  10. Deedra B. Lutes says

    I just wanted to thank you for your fabulous tutorial, the detail made it so simple I think I can finish my quota by tomorrow. I altered the idea a little for a wet bag pattern for diapers, I can not thank you enough for sharing.

    Reply

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