Sewing zippered pouches is a little addictive. When you don’t have the time or the energy to tackle a bigger sewing project, learning how to sew a zippered bag is a great way to create something practical and pretty. In less than an hour, you can create a handful in different colors and sizes (once you get started, the process goes quickly!) And the creative possibilities are endless. Ready to start? Follow my zippered pouch tutorial!
Zippered Pouch Tutorial
Supplies you will need:
- 4 pieces of fabric – 2 pieces for outer fabric, 2 pieces for the liner. For these pouches, my fabric measured 7″ x 9″
- Matching thread
- Scissors
- Zipper for the length of the pouch you want to make – I am using a 7″ zipper for the pouches in these photos.
- Zipper foot for your sewing machine (not necessary but easier)
How to Sew a Zippered Bag
- Stack the fabric. First, lay down the outer fabric, right side up. Add the zipper, right side down. Top it with the inner fabric, right side down. Pin the layers together.
- If you have a zipper foot, add it to your machine and sew the stack together. (Here is a great tutorial on using your zipper foot.)
- Now you will repeat step one on the other side — the outer fabric, right side up, the zipper, right side down and the inner fabric, right side down.
- Pin and sew the stack together.
- I like to add top-stitching to the edges of the zipper (helps keep the fabric from getting caught in the zipper and provides a more finished look.) With the regular sewing foot back on, top-stitch on either side of the zipper, very close to the fold.
- Now we will finish sewing the bag together, but first, be sure to unzip the zipper half way – we will use this opening to turn the bag right side out once we are finished sewing it together.
- Pull the outer fabric pieces together and pin. Do the same with the inner fabric pieces.
- Begin at the bottom of the inner fabric and sew all the way around the pouch, stopping to leave at least a three inch opening in the inner fabric. Trim the threads.
- Trim the corners and turn right side out.
- Use a thread and needle and hand-stitch the opening closed at the bottom of the pouch.
- And that’s it!
Here are some images to help you along. Let me know if you have questions!
The first step creates a zipper sandwich. When stacking your fabric, the “right side” of the outer fabric should be facing the “right side” of the zipper. The zipper is sandwiched between the outer and inner fabric. Pin and sew along the edge of the zipper.
You will repeat the first step for the second pieces of outer and inner fabrics and end up with the two layers on each side of the zipper.
Unzip your zipper half way before you start pinning for the next step. Pin the two pieces of inner fabric together, and the two pieces of outer fabric together.
Begin at the bottom of the inner fabric and sew all the way around the pouch, stopping to leave at least a three inch opening in the inner fabric.
Trim the corners just outside the stitches – this will help the finished bag look neater and less bulky in the corners.
Once you trim your corners, use the opening you left in the outer fabric to turn your bag right side out. The final step is to sew the opening closed. And that’s it! Your first zipper bag is complete.
But don’t stop there – you can make a collection for yourself, or for gifts.
Sewing zipper pouches is a simple sewing project that offers nearly instant gratification. Think of all the different ways to use these zippered bags!
What are you crafting?
Michelle
If you want to go beyond the basic zippered pouch, check out these great ideas at the Polka Dot Chair!
If you are looking for beginner project ideas – Learning to Sew – Taproot Tunic and Beginner Resources and Project Ideas
. This book is so well written, it is like sitting down with a friend as she shares her knowledge, encouragement, and inspiration. I especially appreciate her encouragement! The projects start with the easy and move to progressively harder sewing. And they’re all great projects! Each lesson teaches an important sewing skill and when you finish the book, you have an excellent foundation.
. There are four simple projects that take you step-by-step through the process of creating a quilt. The quilts are lap-sized and can be finished relatively quickly, giving you the confidence and satisfaction of creating something useful and beautiful. This would be a great project if you wanted to make a lovely handcrafted gift.