Quick and Easy Zipper Pouch

Here is a specially designed zipper pouch for the woven fabric created in my Fabric Weaving classes.  The instructions will also work for almost any quilted fabric.  These instructions are written with the assumption that you have experience in creating a quilt from start to finish.  

Supplies

1 - Completed woven fabric panel from class (approx 17x21)

1 - 14" #3 zipper in coordinating color

2 - 14x2.5 fabric strips in coordinating color

Quarter-inch foot or favorite foot for getting a 1/4" seam.

Overcast foot or edge joining foot (optional)

Roxanne Glue Baste-It washable glue (or pins/clips)

General sewing/quilting supplies (rotary cutter & mat, sewing machine, iron and pressing mat, thread, machine needles, etc)

Prep

Square up and/or clean up the edges of your new woven fabric by cutting ¼” from the parameter stitching.

Cut your woven fabric's long edge (21") in half (11" each).  Try to cut in between the stitching of two weft strips for a cleaner edge.   This fat quarter size can create multiple pouches.  Cut it in half, and you will get 2 pouches, cut each in half again and you will get 4 pouches.  You can even trim the pieces further to get a perfect size.


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Prepare the edges of your panel for the zipper.  Create a hem by folding each edge under ¼” and press flat with an iron.  Don’t stitch just yet.

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Construction

Use a zipper that is a few inches longer than the short edge of the panel.  For an 11" pouch, I use a 14" zipper.  This will give you working room as you stitch.  Glue baste or pin one of the folded edges next to the zipper teeth.  

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Sew the edge to the zipper using a ¼” from the edge of the fabric.

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Open the zipper fully and fold the other bound or folded edge of the woven fabric to meet the other side of the zipper.  Glue baste or pin the other edge next to the zipper teeth and sew using a ¼” from the fabric.  You may need to manipulate the fabric by turning it outside in.

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Turn the piece outside in and align the zipper an inch from the top of the pouch.  Zippers typically open from the left, but use your preference. Make sure the zipper is open before proceeding to the next step.

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Sew each side using a ¼” seam, backstitching over the zipper for extra strength.

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You can then use an overcast stitch or zigzag stitch on each edge to keep the edges from fraying.  Clean up any stray threads.

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Turn the pouch inside out, poke out the corners and it’s finished

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Bonus

Option 1:

Bind the short raw edges.  Fold and press the fabric strips in half lengthwise to create double-fold binding. Proceed to bind the two short edges, which will be attached to the zipper.  Option 1:  Bind the short edges using a contrasting color fabric.  Use a standard 2 ¼” or 2½” strip, folded in half.

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Option 2:  

Box the bottom of the pouch by folding the edge up 1” and including the folded edge in the side seams.  

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Option 3:

Make a wristlet strap using ribbon or other strapping.  Sew it in line with the zipper, on the same side where the zipper opens.

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Option 4:

Bind the raw edges of the side seams instead of overcast stitch.

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Option 5:

Insert tabs on each side of the zipper end to make it easier to open and close the zipper.

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Enjoy!

Jeff