DIY Zipper Pouch
Sew your own gifts!
The holidays are approaching fast and with all this talk about the ports getting back logged and Christmas gifts being delayed, I decided to sew some small zipper pouches as gifts for my friends. I plan to use these pouches to place my presents into and the pouch itself can also act as a gift and wrapping paper which is better for the environment. Here is a photo tutorial of how I DIY zipper pouches.
The Items you will need for this project are:
- 2 pieces of outer fabric measured at 8 inch x 6 inch
- 2 pieces of inner liner fabric measured at 8 inch x 6 inch
- A coordinating zipper measured at 8 inches
- Sewing machine
- Sewing pins or clips
- Scissors
- Pointy tool or chopstick
The fabric I used for the inner fabric is one that I created. This fabric is available on Spoonflower. If you are interested in this fabric, you can find it here.
To start this project, you will need to bring out the zipper foot that came with your machine.
Usually you can find the zipper foot in the tool set that came with your machine. Check the little pocket inside your sewing machine.
To sew the zipper, line up the following pieces as shown in the diagram above.
1- Outer layer face up
2- Zipper face down
3- Inner liner face down
You can use your sewing clips to hold all the pieces together. Sew a straight line across all three layers.
Follow these steps with the other side.
Next step is to match up the outer layers together and the inner layers together. Pin this for easy sewing as shown on the left.
IMPORTANT: Leave the zipper open about 3 inches so that you can turn the pouch inside out.
Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew a straight line starting at the bottom of the inner lining. Don’t forget to back stitch at the beginning and end of the sewing.
It is important to leave an opening about 2-3 inches, to be able to turn the pouch inside out. See the photo to the left.
Use scissors to snip the fabric diagonally on all 4 corners to avoid bunching when the pouch is turned over. Try not to cut off the section you just sewed.
Then, reach your hand into the pouch and turn it out.
Use your chop stick or pointy tool to poke out the corners of your pouch. Do not poke too hard, go slow if needed.
Use your sewing clips to hold in place the lining section and top stitch the opening.
Place the lining back into the pouch and you are done! Congratulations on making your sewing pouch!
I made about 10 pouches as gifts for friends and family. I also bought some anti- bacteraial hand gel and hand lotion from Bath & Body Works to put inside the pouch.
I am so happy with how this pouch came out. I hope you enjoyed this DIY project. Subscribe to my newsletter for updates on new blog posts.
Happy Holidays to you!
With Love and Aloha,
Kris Wong
