Easy Tutorial on How to Sew a Pouch With a Zipper
This is another easy beginner project. I’m going to show you step by step how to sew a pouch with a zipper.
It’s the perfect size for a DIY makeup bag, with a zipper to stop the contents falling out into your purse. So let’s get started!
Tools and materials:
- Cotton outer fabric
- Cotton lining fabric
- Medium weight fusible interfacing
- 7 inch (18 cm) zipper
- 3/8 “ (1 cm) swivel hook
- 5/8 “ (1.5 cm) D ring
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Fabric marker
- Pins or fabric clips
- Iron
- Sewing machine
1. Cut out the fabric pieces
You will need two pieces measuring 10.25 inches by 7 inches (26 cm by 18 cm) from each of the outer fabric, lining and interfacing.
You will also need a strip 9 inches long by 2 inches wide (23 cm by 5 cm) for the wrist strap and another 2 3/8 “ by 1 1/2” ( 6 cm by 4 cm) for the D ring loop, both from the outer fabric.
2. Create the bag pattern
Draw a 1 1/2 inch (4 cm) square on the two lower corners of one of the interfacing pieces.
Draw a rectangle 1 1/2 “ by 3/8 “ (4 cm by 1 cm) on the two upper corners.
Place a mark 5/8 “ (1.5 cm) from the corner of the rectangle along the 1 1/2” (4 cm) line on both sides.
Connect these marks to the outer edge of the squares below them.
Cut out the outlined shape.
Use this as a template to cut the second piece of interfacing.
Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of one of the two pieces of outer fabric.
Trim the fabric to the same size as the interfacing and repeat for the second piece.
Use one of the outer panels as a template to cut the lining pieces to the same size.
3. Make the D ring loop
Fold the smallest piece of fabric in half widthways with the wrong side inside, and finger press.
Open the fold out and press both short edges to the center crease.
Fold the strip in half.
Thread it to the D ring and pin or clip it to one of the outer pieces of the bag on the right side, 3/4 “ (2 cm) from the top cut-out.
Sew it in place.
4. Insert the zipper
Place the zipper, right side up, on to the top edge of the wrong side of one of the lining pieces.
Lay the first outer piece, right side down, on top of the zipper.
Sew the top edge with a 1/4 “ (0.7 cm) seam allowance.
Refold the pouch so the right side of the outer is on top, and top stitch the edge of the seam.
Place the free edge of the zipper, right side up, on top of the wrong side of the second lining piece.
Lay the second outer piece on top with the wrong side uppermost, and sew the top edges together.
Separate the two lining pieces and top stitch the second side of the zipper seam.
5. Assemble the pouch
Place the two outer pieces together with the right sides facing. Repeat for the two lining pieces.
Sew around the edges excluding the cut-outs with a 3/8 “ (1 cm) seam, leaving an opening on the bottom edge of the lining.
Press the seams of the outer sections open.
Matching the seams, bring the edges of the large cut-outs together at each corner, and sew them in place.
Repeat for the two smaller cut-outs at the ends of the zipper.
Trim the excess seam allowance.
Pull the bag right side out through the opening in the lining and stitch the opening closed.
Tuck the lining back inside the pouch.
6. Make wrist strap
Place the remaining strip of fabric wrong side up.
Fold in half lengthways and press the center crease.
Unfold and press each long edge towards the center, then fold the strip in half again lengthways and press.
Thread the strap through the swivel hook.
Unfold the two short ends and sew them together with the right sides facing.
Refold the strap and top stitch both long edges.
Sew the two sides of the strap together just above the swivel hook.
Attach the swivel hook to the D ring.
How to sew a pouch with a zipper
At 6 1/4 “ by 4 1/4 “ (16 cm by 11 cm), this is a practical DIY zipper bag for makeup or even to keep your jewelry in while traveling.
You could make a larger size with a vinyl lining as a washbag, or a smaller one to put in your purse for change.
Once you get used to the technique they’re very straightforward to make, and very popular if you sew to sell.
Do please let me know how you get on by dropping me a comment below.
Next, check out my Cute and Easy DIY Backpack Tutorial.
The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.
Comments
Join the conversation