I started cleaning my sewing space and came across some zippers I purchased when ZipperStop had a moving sale. I had no idea just how many zippers would arrive when I ordered the mystery bag. I'm talking HUNDREDS of zippers in various colors and lengths. Vinyl teeth. Metal teeth. Invisible zippers. Separating zippers. Reversible zippers. You name it, it was probably in the mystery pack. And because I specialize in getting distracted, I stopped cleaning and got to thinking about how to use at least one of those zippers.
Enter a perfect scrapbuster pattern that is a quick sew but provides just enough of a challenge because of the zipper. I present a tutorial for sewing a zipper closure pouch. This tutorial uses woven fabrics. I have read of others using knit fabrics, however you will need to interface the fabric first with a fusible stabilizer like TNT fusion or Pellon.
Supplies
1-9" zipper
2-outer fabric pieces measuring 7"x9" each (length x width)
2-lining fabric piece measuring 7"x9" each (length x width)
This pouch can easily be adjusted to work with other zipper lengths. Just make sure that your zipper is the same length as the longest sides of your fabric. Ex: if you wanted to use a 10" zipper, cut your fabric 7"x10"
My outer fabric is Faeries mushroom stripes and the polka dot print for my lining was purchased at a local craft shop.
Construction
With one outer piece face up, place the zipper face down along one of the longest sides. Pin/clip in place and sew using a zipper foot on your sewing machine. Repeat with the other outer piece of fabric.
Next, sandwich the zipper between outer and main fabrics. Sew lining fabric to zipper.
Repeat for other lining piece.
At this point, your pouch should look like this when laid out flat.
Press both sides and then topstich fabric along the zipper edge. This will give your pouch a neat finish and help keep fabric from getting caught in the zipper.
Partially unzip the zipper to minimize the liklihood of sewing over pull tab. Fold your fabrics so both outer pieces are right sides together and the lining pieces are right sides together. Sew along the edge using a 3/8" seam allowance. Leave a 2-3" turning hole along the bottom edge of the lining.
After sewing I like to trim the corners. I also trimmed the edge with pinking shears.
Reach through the turning hole and pull the fabrics right side out. If you needed, use a point turner to get those corners really crisp and flat.
Close up the turning hole by sewing along the edge with a 1/4" seam allowance. , hand sewing with a blind stitch or you could even use a bit of iron on adhesive like heat n bond.
Tuck the lining fabric back inside the pouch. All done!
