Here is a quick little how to make a lined zippered pouch tutorial. It isn’t that hard and I always feel like I have really accomplished something when I am finished. Fill a small zipper pouch with a favorite goodie or gift card to make a great gift!
RELATED: Make a matching tote bag with this free pattern.
Here is What You Need:
- fabric (this is a great way to use up fabric scraps. This is also a great fat quarter project)
- zipper
- thread
- scissors
- sewing machine
- zipper presser foot
- needle (if hand stitching opening closed)
- ruler or measuring tape
Fabric Cutting Guide
To make a pouch cut
- Two outer pieces of fabric and two lining pieces of fabric all cut the same length as the full length of your zipper and any width you choose.
How to Make a Lined Zippered Pouch Tutorial
This zippered bag tutorial is so easy! Just follow the step-by-step instructions. This is a perfect project for beginners!
- Make a zipper sandwich. Place 1 piece of lining fabric face up, then the zipper, and then the outer fabric right side facing down. Line up the three edges.
- With a zipper foot sew across the top between the edge of your zipper sandwich and the zipper teeth (closer to the zipper feet).
- When finished and you pull the fabric back it will look like this. Repeat this for the other (side) edge of the zipper. Oops, the fabric should go all the way to the end of the zipper.
- When both sides are completed it will look like this. Hopefully, you will have pinned before sewing and all of your edges will match up beautifully (unlike mine). You can topstitch along the zipper now if you like.
- Bring both pieces of lining to one side and both pieces of your outer fabric to the other side. Un-zip the zipper at least halfway so you can turn it once it is stitched. If you forget to un-zip the zipper you won’t be able to turn your pouch right side out.
- The zipper teeth should be pinned toward the lining side. I lay the zipper ends on top of each other with teeth facing the lining side and pin.
- Sew all the way around 1/4 inch from the edge. Make sure you sew on the outside of the metal parts on each end of the zipper, this will be easy to do if you cut your fabric the total length of the zipper. Leave a two-inch opening at the bottom of the lining side. Clip corners.
- Turn right side out. Stitch opening closed by machine or slip stitch by hand.
- Push lining inside and you are finished!
- Finished! You did it! Now you know how to sew the zipper. I hope it was easier than you thought. You can even add a cute zipper pull if you like.
How easy was that! Now try one of these bags with my free sewing patterns.
More Zippered Pouches to Make
- Pleated Pouch – another super easy zippered pouch tutorial
- Leather-Trimmed Zippered Pouch
- Car Shaped Pouch
- Two Color Pouch
- Crochet Granny Square Zippered Pouch
- Upcycled Cardboard Pouch
- Quilted First Aid Kit
- Theme Print Zippered Pouch
- Juice Pouch to Zippered Pouch – fun pencil zipper pouch
- Boxy Cosmetic Makeup Bag – the perfect make-up pouch
Make Your Pouch Extra Special
I was a mentor for one of the youths at our church. At Confirmation they are each given a different bible verse, special to them, to mark the occasion.
I wanted to give my Confirmand (the sweetest girl) a gift with her bible verse so I decided to make a little zippered pouch with the bible verse sewn inside. I printed the verse onto printable fabric (like this) and sewed it onto the lining before stitching the pouch together. I also covered the lining pieces and the piece with the scripture with iron-on vinyl before I sewed. I wanted her to be able to use it for make-up etc.
Another bonus was that it doubled as the “gift bag” for this beautiful handmade cross.
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how do you add a shoulder strap?
PERFECT! Exactly what I was looking for to make a little change purse to match a new purse I’ve sewn. Thanks for an easy to follow tutorial!
Wow! If I’d known it was this easy I would have made a gazillion by now! I’ve been lazy and just done them envelope style with a little velcro button. Thanks for the tute.
Hi, thank you for your tutorial, it’s really helpful.
But i was wondering if you have an instruction on how to make a clutch bag that doesn’t show the zipper?
Thank you so much!
thankyou so much it reallu helped me a lot easy way and simple way of sewing it
brilliant article, having done a sewing course last month and made a make up bag at it I had fancied making some more for the loxcal pre school group, imagine my horror on discovering that I’d forgotten how to do the zip part! easy to follow instructions have restored my faith and my memory!! thanks..x
I am a brand new at sewing, and after reading this article I bought some cute fabric and made my first little bag! It turned out great, even though I’m so inexperienced. I can’t wait to make more. The next one, which I’m starting now, is going to be a little pouch for my e-reader. Thank you so much for this great article!
Well, Jen, I’m having exactly the same problem as you. And my lining fabric ended up on the outside. Gotta head on back to the thrift store for some 10cent zippers and will practice on some cheap fabric til I get it right. If I figure out what we’re doing wrong I’ll post another comment! Maybe someone with more zipper experience can help us out!
I made 2 of these now and I’m having the same problem both times. The top corners where the zipper is, the corners won’t push out and sit on a diagonal AND my lining doesnt lat flat.. At the upper corners, it seems “puckered”…. Any suggestions? I bought lots of fabric to make these as gifts but I’m a little discouraged… 🙁
Thanks for a wonderfully simple to follow tutorial! I made a handbag for my best friends birthday, and had 2 scraps of fabric left over (each a little larger than a credit card), spare lining, and the desire to make a little zippered pouch to match the handbag…and no idea how to get started – zips are daunting to the inexperienced!!
30 minutes after finding your site I had a wonderful little pouch which completely matches the bag, and is large enough to fit a credit card and some cash. I also added a little wrist strap sewn between the outer and lining, so she can carry it more easily.
It took me longer to work out how to put the zip foot on the sewing machine than to make the pouch!
I’ve made seven so far and given away six. I’m am addicted to making these because it’s fun using scrap material. Next I’m sewing a few for my daughter-in- law’s baby shower. Thanks for the tutorial for this newbie to sewing!
Thank so much for creating this tutorial! I just made a lined wetbag using your instructions and it turned out pretty darn good for a beginner sewer! I’m very pleased with the results. Next up, cloth napkins! Thanks again!
Just made THE POUCH!
Thanks for letting me spend the morning with YOU! ;o)
Featuring it on Blooming on Bainbridge tomorrow!
Linking up with Kim of course!
Cause I GOT MY CRAFT ON!
Thanks Cindy!
I LOVE your blog!
Your tutorial is wonderful. Jusy what I have been looking for, I will be trying out your technique. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Going to make this pouch too~
xo
WHY do I not have your blog button on Blooming on Bainbridge!
I do now!
xo