One of the most basic of skills needed to start sewing accessories is to know how to make a zippered pouch. Once you have mastered this basic skill, you can make many accessories just by adding embellishments or changing the size.

This photo tutorial will show you step by step how to make a basic zippered pouch. It can be used to hold credit cards, money or any pocket sized necessities. I have several of these in my purse to keep me organized.

Materials you will need:

Two 3.5 x 5 inch pieces of fabric for the exterior

Two 3.5 x 5 inch pieces of fabric for the interior

1 zipper, 5 inches or longer.

Zippers are measured from one end of the teeth to the other end. The one I used is actually 7 inches.

I am using a 1/4 inch seam on this pouch.

Depending on the fabric you choose, and the stiffness you want in the final pouch, you could opt to use interfacing. It’s not necessary, but if you are a fan of a stiffer, structured pouch, you could get fusible interfacing, cut some 3 x 5 pieces and iron it to the wrong sides of the fabric pieces. For my wallets and handbags, I use Pellon 809 interfacing. It is craft weight and makes the final pouch feel very sturdy, but you could use a lighter weight as well.

First you start with your basic sandwich:

Begin with one of the outside fabric panels facing up. Place the zipper on the edge of the longer side with the zipper pull facing down towards the fabric. Put the interior fabric on top with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Line the edges up and pin the sandwich together along the top edge.

You will need to use the zipper presser foot for your sewing machine. If you are not familiar with the different presser feet for sewing machines, Craftsy has a really nice (and free) online class by Steffani Lincecum, Sewing Machine Feet from A to Z, which I highly recommend.

Sew the edge of the ‘sandwich’ using your zipper presser foot.

This is how that seam looks:

Open up the two pieces completely so the wrong sides are facing and iron flat.

Now you repeat the same process with the other side of the zipper.

After you have sewn the other side of the zipper, press everything flat.

Now that the zipper is in place, time to sew the big U.

Put the two interior pieces together, and the two exterior pieces together right sides facing. Pin the sides and the end with the exterior pieces to make one big U. (If you have a longer zipper, like I have, make sure the zipper pull is inside the big U.) Sew along the pinned edge.

Snip the corner edges off to reduce fabric bulk, and if you are using a longer zipper, like I am, cut the ends of the zipper off.

Almost done! Time to turn it out.

Reach in side your pouch and unzip the zipper, then pull the fabric through from the bottom.

Push all the corners and seams out and iron flat. The last seam will be to close the interior. Fold the edge of the raw interior edge, pin and sew.

Push the lining into the pouch, push the corners down into place and give it one last iron to get all the edges crisp and flat, and you are ready to go!

So there you have it, a simple zippered pouch. This basic pattern can be used to make so many accessories, such as a makeup bag, a pencil case, or even an artist’s paint brush pouch. I use this basic pattern for so many of my accessories.

Happy Sewing!