How to make a zipper pouch - Side Lake Stitch

In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a zipper pouch with a flat bottom. You will learn how to make several sizes so you can choose the size that best fits your favorite belongings, be it makeup, toys, crafting tools, or snacks. Grab your fabric scraps and let’s get started.

Supplies List

Fabric scraps
Cotton Batting
1 fat quarter backing Fabric
Zipper
1 Fat quarter for lining

Choosing a Size

First things first, what will this zipper pouch be used for? Perhaps it will be a gift to yourself or someone else. What will live in it? Here are some examples of how I have used small pouches in the past: makeup, toiletries, hand quilting supplies, art supplies for my kids, treats, and a small beach bag (think book, sunglasses, and lip gloss). Once you have an idea, think about the size that would best fit your belongings. I will give you the measurements for the 2 pouches shown below, but you can use the directions as a guide for your own desired size.

I made a larger pouch and a smaller pouch, both with flat bottoms. The smaller pouch is 7.5″ wide on the bottom, 7″ wide on the top, and 6″ tall. The flat base is 1.5″ wide. This pouch will likely hold jewelry or hand quilting supplies. The larger pouch is 8.5″ wide on the bottom, 8″ wide on the top, and 11″ tall. The flat base is 2.5″ wide. This pouch will likely hold a small journal, book, and pencils or be used as a toiletries bag for traveling. In this tutorial, I give you my cutting dimensions for these bags, but you can adjust these measurements to your needs.

Making the Outside

To make the outside of these pouches, I sewed strips of naturally dyed fabric in a color palette I enjoy. I have been making these stripey pouches for a while and I love the simplicity. However, you could go in many directions here – sawtooth star, checked, improv quilting, or half square triangles. You could also just use one piece of fabric that you really love.

For the small pouch, the dimensions for the three strips are:

4″ x 10″,
2.5″ x 10″
and 2″ x 10″.

For the large pouch, the dimensions for the three strips are:

5.75″ x 12″
4″ x 12″
3″ x 12″
1.75″ x 12″

Sew these three strips together with the largest on the bottom and the smallest on the top. Repeat for the second side of your pouch. If your fabrics on both sides of the pouch are the same, you could also double the length, for example from 10″ to 20″ on the small pouch. After quilting, you would cut them to 10″.

Quilting

After finishing both sides of the outside of the pouch, prep them for quilting. Cut a piece of batting (preferably 100% cotton) 2 inches larger in length and width than your outside. Cut a piece of backing fabric the same size as your batting. The backing fabric will not be seen on the inside of the pouch. Next, baste the three layers together. I prefer to spray baste for small projects, but you could also pin or glue baste.

Lay the backing fabric wrong side up. Spray basting spray on the fabric. Lay the batting on top of the fabric and smooth it down with your hands until it is completely flat. Spray basting spray on top of the batting. Lay the outside of your pouch right side up on the batting and smooth with your hands until it is flat. Quilt through all three layers in a chosen design.

Cutting

It’s time to cut your pieces to size. The first step is to cut out a small square from the bottom of the pouch front. For the small pouch, I cut out a 1″ square on each side of the bottom. For the large pouch, I cut out a 1.5″ square from each side on the bottom.

Next, we will cut at a very slight angle from the tip of your bottom to the tip of your top. On the top of the pouch (this is where the opening will be), make a small mark 1″ in from each side. In the image below, you can see how the ruler goes to the edge of the bottom corner, after the square has been cut out, up to the mark that was made 1″ in on the top. Cut along the edge of the ruler. Repeat on the other side of the pouch. Also, cut two sides from the lining fabric. Simply fold the lining fabric in half and lay on my cutting mat. Next, lay one of your quilted outside pieces over the top and trace the shape with a fabric pen. Cut out both pieces at the same time.

Cutting a 1″ square to make the flat bottom.

Attaching the Zipper

First, let’s talk feet. I have a JUKI TL-2000. The foot on the JUKI is slim, so I can easily sew a zipper without a different foot. Many other machines have a designated zipper foot. Depending on your machine, I would recommend using the zipper foot if one is available.

The length of your zipper should be slightly smaller than the length of the top of your pouch. I prefer for it to be 1″ smaller in length. It must be 1/2″ smaller in length at a minimum. Before attaching the zipper to the pouch sides, we need to sew a small piece of fabric along each end. Measure the width of your zipper – they are usually around 1″ wide. Cut two pieces of fabric 1″ x width of the zipper. Sew these pieces onto both ends of the zipper. On the stop end, lay the piece of fabric right side down on the zipper (shown below) and sew as close as possible to the stop. Repeat on the zipper pull side. You will need to unzip the zipper to give yourself a bit more room. I use a pin to hold the zipper together at the top while I sew the piece on. Trim any excess zipper pieces off that are under your 1″ piece and press.

Start with 1 piece of lining, 1 outside piece, and the zipper. Lay the outside piece right side up, and lay the zipper, right side down on top. The edge of the zipper should align with the edge of your fabric. Lay the piece of lining, right side down, on top with the top edge aligning with the top edge of the outside piece. Use pins or clips to hold these pieces together. Sew a scant 1/4″ from the edge. You may need to stop to move the zipper, unless your zipper foot allows you to sew past it. Press

Press on the back and front towards the zipper. Sew a 1/8″ line across the top, catching the lining on the back of the seam. This will keep any loose pieces from getting caught later in the zipper. Repeat these same steps to attach the zipper to your outside piece and the lining on the other side.

Sewing the Pouch

To sew the pouch together, start by pinning. Make sure the zipper is halfway open. Pull up the outside pieces so the right sides face each other and pin along the edge (see image below). Repeat with the lining. Start by sewing along the edge of the lining and onto the outside pieces with a 1/4″ seam allowance, being careful not to sew over the metal zipper in between. Go slow and gently turn your fabric pieces if necessary. Repeat on the other side. Sew the bottom edge closed on the outside pieces, leaving the corners open.

To sew the corners, take the inside corner of the square you cut out of the bottom and pull out. This will pinch the bottom edge to the side edge. Line up the already sewn seam on the bottom and side and pin. Sew this opening closed using a 1/4″ seam. Repeat on the other corner of the outside. On the lining, you will need to leave a hole on the bottom. Sew 1-2″ from each corner on the bottom edge of the lining leaving the middle space open. This will leave you a hole for turning but will make sewing the corners easier. Sew the corners as described above.

Finishing

Reach your hand in the hole at the bottom of your lining and pull out the outside of the pouch. This should flip it completely right side out. Push the lining into the pouch. To sew the hole in your lining shut, you can use your machine and sew a 1/8″ seam or hand stitch. It is best to turn under the raw edges and press before sewing. Give your pouch a good press and you are all done!