Learn how to make a fabric zipper pouch with this easy and fun sewing project. You can use any fabric you like and customize the size and shape of your pouches. Fabric zipper pouches are great for storing and organizing your essentials, such as makeup, pens, cards, coins, etc. They also make wonderful gifts for your friends and family.

What You Need

To make a fabric zipper pouch, you will need the following materials and tools:

1. Fabric scraps for the outer and lining of the pouch. You can use any woven fabric, such as cotton, denim, canvas, etc. Quilting cotton is easy to sew and gives your pouch a nice amount of stiffness.
2. Zipper that is 1 inch shorter than the width of your fabric rectangle. You can use metal or plastic zippers, but plastic ones are easier to sew for beginners. You can also shorten a longer zipper if needed.
3. Matching thread
4. Sewing machine or needle
5. Zipper foot and regular presser foot for your sewing machine
6. Pins or sewing clips
7. Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat
8. Iron and ironing board
9. Ruler or measuring tape
10. Optional: fusible interfacing to add more structure to your fabric

How to Make a Fabric Zipper Pouch

Follow these steps to make a fabric zipper pouch:

1. Cut your fabric pieces according to the size you want. You need two rectangles for the outer layer and two for the lining. You can use the same or different fabrics for the outer and lining layers. For example, you can make a 6 x 4 inch pouch by cutting four rectangles that are 7 x 5 inches each (including 1/2 inch seam allowance).
2. Cut two small rectangles from the lining fabric for the zipper tabs. These should be 2.5 inches tall by the width of your zipper.
3. Attach the zipper tabs to the ends of the zipper by folding them in half over the zipper tape and sewing along the edges. Trim the excess fabric and press the tabs flat.
4. Place one outer fabric rectangle right side up on your work surface. Place the zipper right side down on top of it, aligning the top edges. Place one lining fabric rectangle right side down on top of the zipper, sandwiching it between the two fabrics. Pin or clip along the top edge.
5. Sew along the top edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, using a zipper foot on your sewing machine. Make sure to move the zipper pull out of the way as you sew.
6. Press the fabrics away from the zipper and topstitch along the seam close to the zipper teeth.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 with the remaining outer and lining fabric rectangles on the other side of the zipper.
8. Open the zipper halfway and turn the pouch inside out so that the right sides of the outer fabrics are facing each other and the right sides of the lining fabrics are facing each other. Pin or clip along the sides and bottom edges, leaving a 3 inch gap in the bottom of the lining for turning.
9. Sew along the sides and bottom edges with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, using a regular presser foot on your sewing machine. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam and avoid sewing over the metal parts of the zipper.
10. Trim the corners and excess fabric from the seams and turn the pouch right side out through the gap in the lining. Push out the corners with a blunt tool and press with an iron.
11. Hand sew or machine sew the gap in the lining closed.
12. Tuck the lining inside the pouch and fluff it up.

Congratulations! You have made a fabric zipper pouch!

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to make your fabric zipper pouches even more fun and unique:

• Add fusible interfacing to your fabric pieces before sewing them together to give them more structure and stability.
• Round off or angle the corners of your fabric rectangles before sewing them together to create different shapes for your pouches.
• Add embellishments, such as appliques, embroidery, buttons, ribbons, etc. to your outer fabric before sewing it to the zipper.
• Mix and match different fabrics and colors for the outer and lining layers to create contrast and interest.
• Use fabric scraps or fat quarters to make patchwork zipper pouches by sewing smaller pieces of fabric together to form the rectangles.
• You can make zipper pouches in different sizes and use them for different purposes, such as pencil cases, coin purses, makeup bags, etc.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to make fabric zipper pouches. Fabric zipper pouches are easy and fun to make and they are very useful and versatile. You can use any fabric you like and customize the size and shape of your pouches. You can also add embellishments and decorations to make them more personal and creative. Fabric zipper pouches are great for storing and organizing your essentials, as well as for giving as gifts to your friends and family. Happy sewing!

FAQ’s

Q: What kind of zipper should I use for fabric zipper pouches?

A: You can use any kind of zipper that is 1 inch shorter than the width of your fabric rectangle. You can use metal or plastic zippers, but plastic ones are easier to sew for beginners. You can also shorten a longer zipper if needed.

Q: How can I make my fabric zipper pouches more durable and sturdy?

A: You can add fusible interfacing to your fabric pieces before sewing them together to give them more structure and stability. Fusible interfacing is a thin layer of fabric that has adhesive on one side and can be ironed onto another fabric.

Q: How can I make my fabric zipper pouches more decorative and creative?

A: You can add embellishments, such as appliques, embroidery, buttons, ribbons, etc. to your outer fabric before sewing it to the zipper. You can also mix and match different fabrics and colors for the outer and lining layers to create contrast and interest.

Q: How can I make fabric zipper pouches in different sizes and shapes?

A: You can make fabric zipper pouches in any size you want by adjusting the dimensions of your fabric rectangles. You can also round off or angle the corners of your fabric rectangles before sewing them together to create different shapes for your pouches.

Q: How can I use fabric zipper pouches for different purposes?

A: You can use fabric zipper pouches for storing and organizing your essentials, such as makeup, pens, cards, coins, etc. You can also use them as gifts for your friends and family. You can make zipper pouches in different sizes and use them for different purposes, such as pencil cases, coin purses, makeup bags, etc.