Zipper Pouch Tutorial + Free Template!

Free Zipper Pouch Tutorial (plus template!)

The cutest Zipper Pouch you’ve ever seen and so easy to make! I invited Lina of Bluebelle Designs to share one of her easiest zipper pouch patterns for you to follow along.

These zipper pouches are fast to whip up and roomy enough to carry just about anything (snacks, makeup, pencils, little toys, tacos, the options are endless!).

Follow along below to make your own zipper pouch, and of course don’t forget to download the Template here: DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE

Hello Quilty Friend, my name is Lina Owen from BlueBelle Designs, and I am so happy to share with you this fun pouch pattern. I love making zipper pouches as I always find a use for them around my home and I would love for you to tag me on your completed project on Instagram as @blue_belledesigns. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions at bluebelledesignsllc@gmail.com I truly hope you enjoy making this pouch as much as I did!

Please read instructions before beginning:

• Skill level: Advanced beginner
• All measurements listed in the patterns are unfinished.
• FQ = fat quarter measures approx. 18” by 22”
• RST = Right Sides Together
• WST= Wrong Sides Together
• Topstitch length: 3 mm to 3.5 mm
• Construction stitch length: 2 mm to 2.5 mm
• Illustrations are not to scale
• Print template to actual size or 100% and check the test square measures 1”

Instructions

1. Spray or Pin baste Exterior FQ with Interfacing/ Stabilizer FQ.
2. Proceed to quilt the exterior fabric as desired. (Note from Jess, I made two panels with Ruby Star 1.5” strips sewn at a diagonal and then quilted in the opposite direction).
3. Fold the quilted exterior fabric in half it should measure about 18” wide by 11” height. Repeat steps 1-3 with lining fabric.

4. Place the template on top of the exterior fabric, aligning the folded edge with the straight edge of the template and draw the shape with a fabric pen, and cut the fabric following the drawn shape. Repeat the same step for the lining.

5. From the leftover lining fabric cut (1) 2” square and (1) 2” x 16” long strip. These pieces will be used to create the zipper tab, pull tabs, and the binding to finish the pouch.
6. To make the zipper tab, take the 2” square and fold or press in half; then, open it and fold the raw edges to the middle fold line and press, and then fold in half again, and press or pin in place. Set aside.

7. Trim the zipper to measure 18.25” in length, then measure 1” from the left end towards the inside of the zipper and mark each side of the zipper tape; then fold the zipper on itself and hold with pins and take to the sewing machine to baste in place.

8. Then take the zipper tab and insert the folded piece on the right end of the zipper and topstitch the zipper tab to achieve a finished touch to the zipper. Trim the excess of the zipper tab so it is even with the tape of the zipper. Make sure your zipper closes to the left if you are right-handed.

9. Take the exterior piece and place with right side facing up, then make a line 0.75” up from the small straight lines that form the rectangle in the middle of the exterior. Repeat step for the lining.

10. Place exterior piece right side up and then take prepared zippered and place zipper right side down. Making sure the exterior and zipper are RST. Align zipper with the first mark previously made on the exterior and pin zipper in place and take to the sewing machine and baste in place at 0.25” seam allowance. Making sure to start and stop at the marks made.

11. Then, place lining/interior right side down so exterior and interior/lining are RST and make sure they are even in all sides. Pin the top edge of lining with the top edge of the exterior and sew at 0.375” at the top following the basting stitches made previously. Making sure to start and stop at the marks made.

12. Turn right side out and press so exterior and lining are lying flat and even, then topstitch the exterior at 0.25” away from the zipper seam. Making sure to start and stop at the marks made.

13. Take exterior fabric only and place exterior bottom right side down on top of the zipper and pin in place. Take to the sewing machine and baste at 0.25”. Making sure to start and stop at the marks made.

14. Flip the pouch and turn inside out. Then, take bottom lining/interior and meet both tops of the exterior, this way exterior and interior/lining are RST making sure all sides are even. The exterior panels should be facing each other (RST). Pin and sew at 0.375” at the top following the previous basting stitches. Making sure to start and stop at the marks made.

15. Turn pouch right side out and press so exterior and lining are lying flat and even, then topstitch the exterior at 0.25” away from the zipper seam. Making sure to start and stop at the marks made. In this step, it is helpful to topstitch with the zipper open as you reach the side where the zipper tab is, sew slowly as it gets narrow.

16. To prepare pull tabs and binding, take the 2” wide by 16” long piece and fold or press in half-length wise; then, open it and the fold raw edges to the middle fold line and press, and then fold in half again and press again. Once it is 0.5” wide by 16” long cut in half and set one half aside. You should have 2 strips that measure 0.5” wide by 8” long.

17. To make the pull tabs that go on both sides of the pouch, take one strip prepared in previous step and topstitch on each side with a 0.25” seam allowance, length wise. Cut in half and then fold in half and pin or clip and set aside.
18. Turn pouch wrong side out, and close zipper halfway.
19. Make right bottom square flat, meeting top and bottom fabrics (the seams will be touching opposite each other), and insert one of the pull tabs in between the layers facing towards the inside of the pouch, and having the raw edge extend out about 0.25”. Pin or clip in place and sew at 0.5” to 0.75” seam allowance (Note from Jess: I used about a .75” seam and I made sure to catch the edge of the zipper, otherwise there was a hole, it took me a few times, so start small and then keep sewing a line further in until it looks right!). Repeat the step on the other side. Trim off the extra bits (the little triangles of fabric on the ends).
20. Take the remainder strip that measure 8” wide by 0.5” height and cut in half. You should have (2) binding strips that measure 4” wide by 0.5” height.
21. Insert one of the binding strips to cover the raw edges of the bottom seams. Sew binding at 0.25” from the folded edge making sure both sides are getting sewn. Repeat the step on the other side.
22. Turn the pouch right side out and the Taco Love Zipper Pouch is completed!

This is what a finished Zipper Pouch will look like: 

What colors do you want to use in your next zipper pouch? Comment below!

Watch the Zipper Pouch Being Made - Start to Finish