Zip Pouch Free Tutorial

The original zip tutorial idea I had evolved into a little zip pouch tutorial - something that you could make any size you like to fit any number of things...sewing stuff, nappy & wipes or maybe travel documents.

Things you will need:

One 7 inch zip
One 5½ in x 8½ in rectangle (front)
One 8½ in x 2 in strip (front)
One 7 in x 8½ in rectangle (back)
One  2 in x 11 in strip (handle)
A zipper foot for your sewing machine

Finished pouch measures approx: 5¼ in x 7¼ in (pouch is not lined)

Step 1:

Lay the 5½ in x 8½ in rectangle on a flat surface with right side facing up, open your zip and place onto the long side of the rectangle (make sure the zip is facing down toward the fabric).  Pin together the zipper tape and fabric like below -

Step 2:

The best way to sew close to the zipper teeth is by using a zipper foot like the one below. 

Leave the zip in the open position when you begin to sew. If you can adjust the position of your needle (to the left or right) use this feature on your sewing machine - it will help you stitch nice and close to the zip.  Sew as close as you can to the zipper teeth and don't forget to breathe, I think I forgot to the first time - it's an invaluable tool.

Step 3:

Now when you get close to the end of the zip (near the slider & pull tab part) put your needle in the down postition and lift the machine foot.  Pull the zipper closed so it removes the bulk from the slider and pull tab, position the machine foot back down and continue sewing toward the end of the zip - believe me, this tip alone will help prevent your stitching going wonky.

Remove from the machine, trim your loose threads and press.

Step 4:
Lay the 8½ in x 2 in strip on a flat surface with right side facing up, open your zip and place onto the long side of the strip (make sure the zip is facing down toward the fabric).  Pin zipper tape and fabric together like below -

Sew together using the same techniques shown in STEP 2 - once pressed your zip should look something like this one below.

Step 5:

The final step is to topstitch the zip so you have a nice finished edge.

Close the zip and use the same zipper foot on the sewing machine. If you can, move the needle position to the left toward the fabric edge and stitch.  If the zip slider and pull tab gets in the way near the end of the seam, leave your needle in the down position on the machine, lift the foot and pull the slider out of the way opening the zip - then complete the seam.  

This is exactly how I sewed the zip pockets together in the pattern Me & My Shadow (just using an 8 inch zip instead)

Part 2

 Let's make this into something special.

You will need:

One 7 in x 8½ in rectangle (back)
One  2 in x 11 in strip (handle)

Step 1:

Lay the 2 in x 11 in fabric strip on a flat surface and fold in half length way with right sides facing together and pin.  Using your quarter inch foot sew along the raw edge making a tube shape.

Step 2:

Turn the tube right side out - I use a product called a Turn-it-All (previously known as the Bow Whip) it is one item in my studio I use all the time.

Once the tube has been turned press with the seam to one side and top stitch both edges.  To get nice and close to the edge I use my blindstitch foot #5 (Bernina) and adjust the needle postion on the machine.

Step 3:

Lay the 7 in x 8½ in rectangle (backing) on a flat surface with right side facing up, take the zipper panel made in Part one and place together with right sides facing - pin all sides together making certain the zip is in the open postition!

Fold the handle in half forming a loop and insert this between the front and back layers, position just above the zip with raw edges together. (yes, you can see by the photo I forgot to insert the handle first time round!...the seam ripper is another tool I can't live without)

Step 4:

Machine sew around all sides of the pouch using a half inch seam allowance.  Trim all corners, turn right side out and press.

(ok..this is the moment when you wish you had left that zipper open...)

And your zip pouch is complete.

I hope you have a little more knowledge in sewing zips and that they are not nearly as bad as you thought they were - just take your time and remember to breathe!

Till then, enjoy