Tutorial: Fabric Zipper Pouch

These small or larger pouches are a cute and practical way to organize your make-up, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, phone wires and chargers, etc.!

Once you know how to make these, you can gift them to friends and family and save money on buying pouches for yourself!

Step 1. Gather your materials

• Leftover fabric swatches of your choice for the outside, and some solid fabric of your choice for the inside lining of the pouch
• Fabric needs to be at least 20 x 8.5 inches
• A zipper of 7 inches – you can get creative and use a large-toothed metal zipper or a colored tape zipper
• Thread
• Pins
• Sewing machine

Step 2. Cut the fabric (x 2)

Cut a first rectangle with the fabric you’re using for the outside with dimensions 20 x 8.5 inches.

Cut a second rectangle with the lining fabric with the same dimensions.

Step 3. Sew the zipper (looks daunting, but just follow my instructions)

First side:

Place the solid lining fabric rectangle on your table surface, then place the exterior fabric on top of the solid lining, face up towards you.

Position the 7” zipper at the top of the fabrics, the back of the zipper is facing you – the front of the zipper is against the fabric.

Pin the 3 pieces together.

Put the zipper foot in your sewing machine, and sew the zipper as close as possible to the zipper teeth. Always start by sewing the end of the zipper where the staple is and finish on the side with the zipper pull.

About 2” before you finish sewing the end of the zipper, stop and open the zipper so the zipper pull will not be in your way to finish sewing your zipper. Finish this side.

Other side:

Close the zipper fully again. Fold the bottom of the rectangle ½” to show the lining: see picture below.

Fold the fabrics together to place them at the top of the other side of the zipper as shown

Pin this side of the zipper before sewing.

Sew the zipper at the edge like the other side, starting from the staple side again. About 2” from the end, open the zipper to finish sewing it.

You are done with the zipper. Well done 🙂

Step 4. Sew the sides

Sew the sides together on the inside of the pouch (on the solid lining side).

Step 5. Create flat bottom of pouch

Fold the pouch so the side seams are in the middle of the pouch and the bottom makes a V shape on both sides.

Measure 3” line at the V shape and draw a straight line. Repeat the same thing on the other V-shaped side.

Sew along the 2 lines you just made, then cut the fabric underneath the sewing seams you just did.

Turn your zipper pouch inside out. Use your hands to mold it and give it a nice shape you want, then close the zipper.

Et voila! Your pouch is ready 🙂