Zipper Pouch Tutorial, Easy and Free!

Today I have a tutorial for you! There are a lot of folks out there terrified of putting zippers in bags. I promise you, this is an easy, easy method. There are lots of photos to follow so sit back and enjoy the project.

Supplies: 

2 rectangles measuring 5" x6" in the outer fabric
2 rectangles measuring 5" x 6" in lining fabric
9" zipper or longer
9" 1' ribbon
7" ball trim
1.5" split ring(key ring)
1" button
assorted 3' x 3' felt or velvet scraps for flower,(not shown in photo)

Start with one of the pieces of outer fabric. Place the zipper above the fabric so that both ends are extended past the edges of the fabric.

Flip the zipper over so that the zipper head is facing down, as shown in the photo.

Line the edge of the zipper up with the edge of the fabric. Pin in place.

Place a piece of the lining fabric, face down, on top of the pinned zipper. Make sure the outer and lining side edges are lined up. Pin the fabric in place.

Using your zipper foot on your sewing machine sew using a 1/4" seam allowance. The edge of your zipper foot should line up with the edge of your fabric.

This is what it should look like.

We've got half of the zipper in place! Yippee! Enough celebration, it's on to the next side.

Keeping the fabric pulled back from the zipper as shown in the last photo, lay the zipper onto the remaining piece of outer fabric. Once again make sure that the zipper head is facing down. Line up the side edges with all three fabrics as well.

Pin the zipper onto the outer fabric and then the remaining lining fabric to the zipper. The lining should be facing down as shown in the photo. Sew along this seam just as you did the first side of the zipper.

Now that your zipper is in place you can breathe a sigh of relief. You did it! Now it's on to the fun part, embellishing. Place 7" of ribbon about one third of the way down the bag and in in place. With the remaining ribbon slide the key ring on and fold in half. Pin this to the top side of the bag front. Make sure of two things; 1. the ring is facing in and is not within a 1/4" of the side 2. The ring is on the same side of the bag as the zipper pull. Last pin the ball trim across the bottom facing inward as well. Whew!

Sew everything in place. Now unzip the zipper 2/3's of the way.

Now arrange the bag pieces so the two outer bag pieces are right sides facing and the two lining pieces are right sides facing. Pin everything together. When you are ready to pin the zipper sides, fold them in half. Make sure that the teeth of the zipper are facing the outer bag fabric pieces. (see below)

Sew around all of the edges. Leave a three inch section at the bottom of the lining for turning.

Now let's clean this baby up! Clip the corners. Trim all of the excess ribbon, zippers, etc.

Turn the bag inside out. Before you stitch that opening closed, lets add the flower button.

I went to my scrap bin and found a piece of velvet and felt that coordinated. I placed the velvet behind the button and cut out the flower shape. Next I placed the felt behind the velvet and did the same thing. I sewed all three layers together and then tacked it to the bag. While you have your needle and thread out, sew the opening closed in the lining. Push the lining into the bag and you're all set!

I hope you have fun making lot's and lot's of the bags. Please let me know if you try this how-to, I would love to hear about your experience.

If you're curious about the buttons or fabric...here's the info

Ceramic buttons can be found here and the fabric is from my Tussie Mussie line from In The Beginning Fabrics.

Have a great day,

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