On the ninth day of freebies, Made for Mermaids gave to me… a zip-up pouch to hold all of my goodies! Can you believe it’s already Day 9 of the 12 Days of Freebies? Today’s freebie is a wonderful little zip-up pouch. It is the perfect size for just about anything! We have six so far at our house, and there are at least three more on the sew-this-for-me-mom list as we speak.
SUPPLIES:
- pattern pieces
- 1/4 yard of woven fabric for main fabric
- 1/4 yard of woven fabric for lining
- all purpose 7″ zipper (If you don’t want to add the zip stops, purchase a 9″ zipper)
- basic sewing tools – thread, pins or clips, scissors, optional hand needle, etc.
- optional – heat transfer vinyl
- optional – suede cord, ribbon, etc. to use as a wrist strap
- optional – decorative tassels and small jewelry pliers (to attach to zipper tab)
Let’s Get Started!
1/2″ SEAM ALLOWANCE INCLUDED
Step 1: Prepping
You can download the Zip-Up Pouch Pattern Pieces in the Freebies section of the website right HERE! The cut files include 3 different file types- SVG, DXF and PNG, so hopefully all cutting machines can use them. They will be in a zipped file, so you will need to extract or unzip them before loading them in your software. All 3 cut files included are shown below. The pattern is 100% free, but you do need to add it to your cart and then check out. The pattern is a no trim pattern; if you need help putting the pattern together, pop over to the faqs and troubleshooting page or ask in our Facebook group .
Print and assemble the pattern. You should have two pattern pieces total. Pattern layout shown below.
Cut out 2 pouch pieces in your main fabric, 2 pouch pieces in your lining fabric, and 2 zipper stops (I used the main fabric for my zipper stops, but you can use whatever you’d like).
Step 2: OPTIONAL – ADDING HTV
If you want to add HTV to your zip up pouch, now is the perfect time (don’t panic if you don’t add HTV and want to later on; you can add it successfully to a completed pouch!). There are some cute phrases included with the pattern, or you can come up with your own! Don’t forget about the other cut files available on the site, too 🙂 Make sure your vinyl images go on the right side of your main fabric.
Step 3: ZIPPER STOPS
Pin and sew one zipper stop to each end of the zipper, right sides together. I used a 7″ zipper, so I did not trim my zipper at all. I used a 1″ seam allowance (ONLY for this step) to make sure I didn’t have a gap at either end of the zipper. Depending on your zipper, you may be able to take a smaller seam allowance. Note- if you don’t want to use the zip stops, use a longer (at leas 9″) zipper.
Fold the zipper stops back with wrong sides together and press.
Step 4: INSERTING THE ZIPPER
Insert the zipper between the lining and main fabric. Clip or pin the top edge of the main fabric to the top edge of the lining, with one edge of the zipper tape sandwiched in between. The back (or wrong side) of the zipper should be touching the right side of the lining fabric, and the front (or right side) of the zipper should be touching the right side of the main fabric. Sew using a 1/4″ seam allowance. If you take a larger seam allowance here, you run the risk of your zipper getting caught up in the fabric. You can use a zipper foot if you have one, but I just used the regular foot on my sewing machine. Be aware that you will need to adjust the zipper pull tab as you sew. You can finish your edges using pinking shears if you’d like. Repeat all of step 4 for the other side of the zipper tape.
Once you’ve completed Step 4 for both sides of the zipper, the bag should look like this from the top:
and this from the bottom:
Give seams a quick press. If you want, you can top stitch (or under stitch).
Step 5: OPTIONAL – WRIST STRAP
For this particular pouch, I didn’t create a normal woven strap since I knew the faux leather wouldn’t turn. I cut two 1″ x 13″ strips, stitched them wrong sides together with a 1/4″ seam allowance on either side, and then trimmed the edges as close to my stitches as I could. You could use 1/2″ strips instead, but this made it easier for me to get a nice, clean edge. If you’re using a lighter woven, you can cut one 1″ x 13″ strip, and fold in half the long way with right sides together. Press, stitch the long edge closed using a 1/4″ seam allowance, then turn using your favorite turning tool. You can leave both short edges open since they will be stitched into the side seam. Another option is of course using ribbon, suede cord, etc. Once your strap is ready, clip or pin to either side of your main fabric, about 1″ down from the zipper. Baste in place, then continue on to step 6.
Step 6: SEWING THE SIDE SEAMS
*KEEP ZIPPER OPEN FOR THIS STEP* Clip right sides of lining fabric together, and right sides of main fabric together, to create your side seams. Press/clip the zipper pieces toward the lining as much as possible. My fabric was pretty bulky so it didn’t lay quite as flat as I wanted it too. Sew the side seam using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Repeat so that both long sides are sewn shut.
Step 7: SEWING THE BOTTOM
Clip or pin right sides together for both the bottom of the lining, and the bottom of the main fabric (opposite ends from zipper). You are ONLY sewing the the short piece that sticks out; do not sew the L-shaped cut-out yet.
For the main fabric, sew completely closed using a 1/2″ seam allowance. For the lining, use a 1/2″ seam allowance, but be sure to leave a 2-3″ opening in the middle in order to turn the pouch right side out. If you opt to use a faux leather or another heavier fabric, make sure you leave a big enough opening or you’ll bust open a seam when you go to turn the pouch (speaking from experience)!
DO NOT close up the opening in the lining yet! Flatten or “pinch” the L-shaped cut-out so that the side seam of the lining meets the bottom seam of the lining. Pin or clip, then sew completely closed using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Repeat for both sides of lining and both sides of main fabric. This step creates the flat bottom of the pouch.
Step 8: CLOSING THE OPENING
Turn pouch so that the pouch is inside out but with the right sides of fabric showing. Press.
Close the opening at the bottom of the pouch lining. For a more professional finish, hand stitch closed. I just did a quick straight stitch with my machine since nobody will see the inside bottom of the pouch!
Step 9: OPTIONAL – DECORATIVE TASSELS
I added tassels to several of our pouches using small metal jewelry findings and a pair of jewelry pliers. Simply use the pliers to open the metal rings, loop through the zipper tab, and use the pliers to close. I used a series of rings for this larger tassel, but used a single ring for the smaller tassels on my kids’ pouches. You could also add a thin ribbon or strip of fabric to create a zipper pull if you wanted to add something other than a tassel.
Step 10: FILL WITH GOODIES AND ENJOY!
I love how quickly these sew up, and how easy they are to personalize. Check out these super cute (and functional!) zip-up pouches made by the team and testers!
Make sure to share your zip-up pouches in our Made for Mermaids Facebook group and on Instagram#12daysofchristmasfreebies #madeformermaids #madeformermaids
Made for Mermaids’ 12 Days of Christmas Freebies
DECEMBER 1-12, 2017
DAY 1 – BARNACLE BUDDIES
DAY 2 – HAIR SCRUNCHIES
DAY 3 – TREE GARLAND
DAY 4 – SAILOR BOWS
DAY 5 – MASON JAR PIN CUSHION
DAY 6 – HAND WARMERS
DAY 7 – OVEN MITT
DAY 8 – REUSABLE SNACK BAG
Colleen loves DIY projects, Diet Coke, and buying too many throw pillows at Target. See what else she’s up to over at mama & little e!
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