What are the requirements for using a zippered pouch for hand-carrying classified materials?

Hey y’all – the theme for this month is Accessories, so I’m going to be kicking that off with a classic – how to sew a zipper pouch tutorial. Today I’ve got both a written and video tutorial for you, so either way you prefer to learn, we’ve got it covered! Zipper pouches make great gifts and are a good way to use fabric scraps.

BTW – I sewed the one in the video (in 15 minutes if you take out video set up time), forgot to photograph any of it, and so then decided to sew the 3 in the photos. Altogether, those 3 only took 35 minutes, so these are also some of the best craft fair items to sew since they’re quick, easy, pretty and functional. So many possibilities!

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Zipper Pouch Supplies

Let’s get started. You’ll need:

• A zipper, at least 9 inches long. If yours is longer, I’ll show how to shorten it (I tend to buy 20″ zippers in bulk and then just shorten as needed).
• Two outer fabric pieces, 9 in long x 7 in tall
• Two lining fabric pieces, 9 in long x 7 in tall
• This stacker has a cute assortment of fabrics you could make a bunch of zipper pouches from.

Though I have listed these dimensions, remember that you can use this same technique to make these in ANY SIZE you want! Just make sure your zipper is at least as long as the edge of the fabric you’re going to sew it to.

OK, for those of you who prefer a video tutorial showing how to make a zippered pouch, watch the one below. If for some reason it won’t load, you can also watch how to make a DIY zip pouch on YouTube here. And if you’re a written tutorial gal (or guy), keep scrolling to the written tutorial below the video.

To start, if your zipper is too long, make a mark 1/2″ from where the edge of the fabric will hit. Center the zipper under your presser foot at that mark, and set your machine to a wide zig-zag with a very short stitch length. Hand crank your machine to check that your needle isn’t going to hit the zipper whilst zigging or zagging, (VERY important if using a metal zipper) and then sew a few stitches and backstitch over them to create a new zipper stop out of thread.

Cut the zipper so it is 9 in long. If it’s an nylon coil zipper, you can cut right through the teeth. If it’s metal, carefully cut between teeth.

Next, place the zipper right sides together with one of the pieces of outer fabric, matching the edges. Switch to a zipper foot on your sewing machine and stitch the zipper to the fabric.

Match the other edge of the zipper right sides together with the other piece of outer fabric and stitch this side.

Sandwich one long edge of the zipper between a piece of lining and the outer fabric it is already stitched to. Stitch again, along the same stitching line on the outer fabric, to attach this side of the lining. (If this part is confusing, this is where it might help to watch the video).

Repeat with the other side of the lining.

This is what your pouch should look like on the outside.

And this is the inside.

Topstitch close to the zipper to keep the fabric from popping up and getting caught.

Unzip the zipper 3/4 of the way. Fold the pouch so that the outer fabrics are right sides together and the lining fabrics are right sides together. Make sure to match the outer fabrics at the zipper and fold the zipper teeth toward the lining. Folding those teeth the right way is the key to not having a pinched looking zipper when you sew this. 

Stitch around the edges, leaving a hole in the bottom of the lining for turning. Clip the corners to but not through the stitching.

Turn the pouch right sides out.

If you like, use a point turner to make sure you have sharp corners.

Fold the raw edges of the hole left in the lining toward the inside. Then you can either topstitch along the edge to close the hole (shown below) or hand finish with a blind stitch for an invisible seam.

And you’re done! Zip, zip, zip it and enjoy that fun new project.

Want another zippy challenge? Try making a flat bottomed zipper pouch as shown in the post here or the video below.

And here are even more zipper bag variations to try.