Zipper pouches are the perfect accessory for keeping you organized. The variety of sizes, prints, and uses make them super versatile. With the kids back in school and the need to bring home dirty face masks each day, I wanted something that I could throw in the wash. We started the first week of school sending home dirty masks in plastic bags. *Technically* we were reusing a plastic bag from deli meat, and the other one was using a plastic pouch from chocolate candy. My son said his teacher was quick to tell him to put the candy away when he pulled out his face mask pouch! (Sorry, kiddo, for having to explain that to your teacher!) So, I set out to sew some zipper pouches the kids could use each day they were in school.
Supplies Needed:
– 1 Zipper , 9”
– Two outer fabric pieces cut to 9”x7”
– Two liner fabric pieces cut to 9”x7”
Finished size: 8w”x6.5h”
You can easily make this pouch in any size. Just make sure your zipper is at least as long as the length of your pouch. Your finished size will be about an inch or so smaller than your cut fabric pieces you start with.
Step 1: Measure and cut out your pieces
Measure and cut out two outer and two liner fabric pieces. Each piece should be 9”x7”.
Step 2: Attaching the zipper to the outer fabric piece
Place the zipper face down on top of one of your outer pieces. The right side of the zipper and right side of the fabric should be touching each other. Top stitch the zipper. You can use a zipper foot for this step, or if you are using your basic utility foot, be sure to move the zipper slider out of the way.
Step 3: Attaching the zipper to the outer fabric piece
Take the zipper and fabric piece you just sewed, and place it face down on your other outer piece. The right side of the zipper should be touching the right side of the fabric. Line up the top edge of the fabric piece with the edge of the zipper. Top stitch the zipper.
You should finish with a piece that looks like this:
Step 4: Attaching the liner fabric to the body
Arrange your pouch and one piece of liner fabric so that the zippered piece has a wrong side facing up, and one of your liner pieces is facing down. Place the liner piece on top of the zippered pieces, making sure to align the tops. Top stitch in place over the existing line you just sewed. Repeat with the other liner piece.
Here is what the pieces should like when you’re done.
Step 5: Top stitching along the zipper
The purpose of this next step is to prevent your fabric from being caught in the zipper. Carefully stitch close to the edge of the material along your zipper. You’ll want to hold the fabric taut to keep it from bunching up against the zipper edge.
Step 6: Closing the liner and body pieces
Unzip the zipper so that it is open about 2/3 of the way. This will allow you to turn the pouch inside out after closing the liner and body pieces. Fold the liner pieces so that the right sides are touching each other. Fold the outer pieces so that the right sides are also touching each other. Pay attention to the placement of your zipper. Fold the zipper so that the teeth are pointing towards your liner pieces. Your pouch should look like this:
Stitch around your pouch, but leave an opening at the bottom of your liner piece (opening is the space between the two pink clips in the photo).
Step 7: Finishing the interior
Trim the excess fabric at your corners if necessary. You can also snip off any excess zipper sticking out from the sides of your pouch. Turn the pouch out through the opening you left at the bottom of the liner piece. To make your corners crisp, use a point turner (or a chop stick, eraser end of a pencil, etc.) to push out your corners. Finish closing the liner piece by top stitching along the open end of the liner piece. Be sure to fold the raw edges towards the inside of the liner piece. Sew as close to the edge as possible.
Ta da! You just made yourself a zipper pouch! This is great way to use up scraps. They can be embellished however you’d like! Add on a fun zipper pull, or some personalization. What will you use your pouch for?
**to personalize the ribbon for the face mask pouches, you can use a piece of ribbon and permanent marker to designate ‘dirty’ bags, otherwise this project used heat press vinyl to create the label**
