30 minute DIY zipper pouch

TGIF! I know so many people that want to learn how to sew, but don’t know where to begin. The zipper pouch is one of the quickest and easiest projects to make as a beginner. And no matter where you are in your sewing journey, it’s always good to have a DIY zipper pouch in your portfolio. So let’s get started.

Supplies:

• scissors
• ruler
• matching thread
• pins
• iron
• zipper foot
• 9 inch zipper (all purpose or brass)
• 2 complementary fat quarters

Steps:

1. Cut 2 pieces of your outside fabric and lining fabric at 10 inches wide and 7 inches long.
2. Take your zipper, 1 piece of outside fabric and 1 piece of lining fabric. Pin your outside fabric with the right side facing the right side of the zipper teeth. Pin your lining fabric with the right side facing the wrong side of the zipper teeth. At this point, your zipper will be a sandwich between both pieces of fabric.
3. Switch to your zipper foot and line the edge of your fabric as seen below. This is about a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
4. Remove the pins and avoid the zipper teeth as you begin to stitch your seam.
5. TIP: You may need to move your zipper pull up and down the teeth as you continue to stitch your bag.
6. Iron your seams flat. It should look like this.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 for the other side.
8. TIP: Trim excess thread.
9. Once both sides are sewn to the zipper, your pouch will begin to take form!
10. IMPORTANT STEP: Unzip your zipper.
11. Take both pieces of the outside fabric and place them right sides together.
12. Take both pieces of the lining fabric and place them right sides together.
13. Pin the sides of the lining fabric.
14. Pin the sides and bottom of the outside fabric. You may binder clip one of side of the zipper tape where the zipper pull has created some bulk.
15. Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance sew along the sides of the lining fabric, passing over the zipper tape (avoiding the zipper teeth) and along the side of the outside fabric.
16. Be sure to pivot your fabric to make a nice corner stitch at the bottom of the outside fabric and sew along the bottom.
17. Pivot again, and continue to sew the outside fabric. Your pouch should look like this when you are finished stitching.
18. Turn your pouch right side out. It should look like this.
19. Press the opening of your lining fabric so that it’s turned to the inside and pin pieces together.
20. Stitch your lining.
21. Turn your lining inside your pouch and iron out wrinkles etc.

DONE!

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