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How to sew a 6 minute zipper pouch.
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How to Make a 6 Minute Zipper Pouch

Wondering how to sew a zipper pouch to use as a makeup bag or purse organizer? Here's a DIY tutorial showing you how to make a 6-minute zipper pouch.
Author: Laura Radniecki

Materials

  • 9” x 6” Pieces of Fabric (2 of them)
  • 10" Zipper
  • Quilt Clips or Pins
  • Cutting Matt, Ruler, Rotary Cutter
  • Scissors, Sewing Machine

Instructions

  • Cut your fabric so you have two rectangle pieces of fabric that measure 9” x 6”.
  • Lay out one fabric piece so the right side is UP.
  • Place the zipper on top of the fabric with the zipper's right side DOWN, so the top edges line up.
  • Clip to hold in place.
  • Sew along the top edge about ¼” from the edge.
  • Flip the zipper back up, and smooth out with your hands.
    This is now one-half of your zipper pouch!
    Set it aside.
  • Lay out the second piece of fabric, with the right side UP.
  • Place the zipper/fabric piece you just made (from step 6) right side DOWN, on top of the fabric, so the top edges line up.
  • Clip to hold in place.
  • Sew along the edge about ¼” from the edge.
  • Flip the fabric piece open, and smooth with your hands.
    You now have all of the parts of your zippered pouch!
  • To help the pouch look clean and sleek, and to help the zipper function properly, topstitch down both sides of the zipper.
    Smooth the fabric with your hands so it lays flat as you sew.
    This makes the pouch look good and keeps fabric away from the zipper's teeth, minimizing snagging.
  • Open your zipper halfway.
    This is a very important step.
    If you don't do this step, you won't be able to turn your pouch right-side-out later on.
  • Fold the two sides of the zipper pouch together so the right sides touch and all of the edges and zipper sections line up.
  • Clip in place.
  • Sew around the 3 sides of the pouch (but NOT along the top where the zipper is).
    Make sure you backstitch to reinforce where you start and stop on the two zipper sections, by going forward and backward a few times to add strength.
    Use a ⅜” to ½” seam allowance, and a small stitch length to add durability to the seam.
  • Trim off the zipper overhang, and the corners.
  • Turn the pouch right side out, through the open zipper at the top of the pouch.
  • Push out the corners with your fingers, and smooth the pouch with your hands as you go.
    Once everything is turned rightside out and smoothed flat, your zipper pouch is done!

Notes

  • You can change the size of your zipper pouch by using different dimensions of fabric rectangles. Just make sure the zipper is longer than your fabric.
  • Make SURE you unzip the zipper at least halfway before you fold the pouch together with the right sides in and stitch around the 3 sides. If you don't, you will not be able to turn the pouch right side out.
  • Once you learn how to make an easy zipper pouch, you can experiment with different fabrics for a whole new look! You can try upcycling old clothing like denim, or my personal favorite, vinyl or faux leather! (They look so fancy and are SO easy!)