How to Sew a Simple Zipper Pouch

Beginners can easily follow this step by step instructional of how to sew a simple zipper pouch with lining.

-sewing machine

-iron -scissors -rotary cutter (optional) -cutting mat (optional) -ruler -7 inch zipper -pins -fabric of your choice (less than half a yard)

First, iron all of your fabric. This makes it easier for straight, even cuts. If you have a rotary cutter and cutting mat, this is where they come in. If not, you can just use regular scissors and a ruler to trace cutting lines. For this particular pouch, I cut four 8.5 inch squares.

Next, lay one square down face up. Then lay your zipper on top of it, meeting edges, with the zipper face down.

Now add your second square, this time the square should be face down. In other words, right sides facing each other.

Pin all three layers together, making sure the pins go through the zipper edges (not the teeth).

Time to go to the machine! All seam allowances are 1/4".

In these pictures, I use my zipper foot, but you may use a regular foot if it's all you have. Just try to stay as close to the teeth of the zipper as you can (without sewing through them). It's best to go slow with this step. Keep your fingers clear of the needle, but close to the foot to help hold all things in place. Sew from edge to edge.

Now, fold the two squares away from the zipper (right side out) and iron it down to maintain a good, clean fold.

We will repeat the zipper process with the two remaining squares.

Your first square will lay down face up. Then you'll add your zipper with the two squares attached, then top it off with your last square, face down.

Make sure you edges line up and pin.

Again, sew as close as you can to the teeth without sewing through them. Take it slow!

Turn right side out and iron.

Now that both sides are attached to the zipper and ironed down, you will topstitch both sides as shown. Try to stay about an eighth of an inch away from the edge of your fold.

Here's the fun part.

First things first- open your zipper half way! I cannot stress this enough. You will thank me later.

Now bring one square from each side of the zipper (right sides together). Repeat for the two remaining squares.

Be sure to match corners and match the tails of the zipper together. (Shown in picture 2)

Pin all four sides.

In the third pic of this step, you will notice a small length of elastic. I put this here to indicate a space you will NOT sew in the next step.

There's that elastic again!

You will start sewing on your LINING (the inside of the bag). If you are using the same fabric for the whole pouch, check to see which side the zipper head is on. Be sure to start on the side AWAY from the zipper head.

I started sewing a couple inches away from a long edge- not in the middle.

Follow the edge of the fabric all the way around, taking care not to go too fast over the zipper. Take it slow, mind your pins.

When you get back to the side you started on, be sure to leave a few inches between where you started sewing and where you stop.

Now that you have all sides sewn, cut off each corner, being sure not to cut your thread. This makes a neater corner when you turn the pouch right side out.

Through the hole you left in the 1st side sewn, turn your pouch inside out. This is where the half open zipper comes in handy! Reach all the way through, pull it all the way out, then take special care to make sure all of your corners are nice and neat.

Now, with your lining out, give it a good ironing. The unsewn edges should tuck in easily with the existing seam allowance.

When it's nice and flat, take it back to the machine for a topstitch to close it up.

Lastly, push your lining back down into your pouch.

Zip, unzip, zip again and admire the sweet little project you just finished!

Good job and happy sewing!