Simple zipper pouch tutorial

Does anyone struggle to put in a zipper? I did!!!

It took me years to find a method that I liked, there are so many different ways to sew a zipper in a bag or pouch. What's your favourite method?

I'm going to share mine, I can't remember where I saw it but it changed my bag making forever!!

I had a piece of slow stitching my mum gave me, she didn't know what she wanted to do with it! Of course I was happy to take it!! I thought why not use it for this tutorial and make a sweet little pouch.

It turned out really well I'm thrilled with the result and hope this little tutorial helps you too!

So here goes my Zipper pouch tutorial. I hope you like it and find it useful!

Step 1: Prepare your zip. Sew two pieces of fabric at each end. This is optional but always helps obtain a nice clean result.

Place fabric right side down, 1/4'' in from the metal at the end. Sew in place. 

Top stitch: 

The zipper will look something like this:

Step 2: Place the zipper right side down on the front piece:

Lay one of the lining pieces, right sides down, on top and pin in place. Sew using the zipper foot.

Open out, moving the lining to one side, pin:

Top stitch along the top of the exterior fabric:

Your piece will look like this, note the lining is tucked back under the front piece:

Step 3: You need to attach the back exterior piece and lining to the other side of the zipper. Place the backing, right side down, on top. Flip over place the lining as you did previously and pin.

 If you lift the lining and zipper it will look like this:

Stitch across the top as before. Move lining and front to the side. 

Top stitch the back piece as you did previously with the front.

Step 4: open out the front and back and open the zipper. Do not skip this or you won't be able to turn the pouch once it's sewn.

Step 5: Sewing up the pouch

Place the exterior pieces right sides together and the lining pieces right sides together.

Line up the edges and pin all the way around. Make sure when you line up your edges you start from the center where the zipper is. Note: At the bottom of the lining I turn one pin in a different direction to remind mysef to leave an opening there for turning later.

Sew around remembering to leave the opening in the lining.

Note: where the zipper is I cut a little 'V' to remove excess fabric, being careful not to cut too close to my sewing line.

If you would like a pouch with squared off corners - at each corner draw a square (mine for this pouch was 3cm), flip it over and repeat on the other side.

Open out the corners, pin and sew going back and forth a few times to strengthen.

Trim the excess

Turn the pouch, machine or hand stitch the opening and the pouch is complete!

I hope this was helpful! Thank you for reading.

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