Beginners Sewing Project: Make a Basic Zip Pouch FREE PATTERN

January 20, 2025

Would you like a beginner-friendly zip pouch project?

With this zip pouch-free pattern you can finish your zip pouch in a few different ways.

Uphouse Crafts

You can download the PDF full pattern instructions and templates using the links below from my Google Drive. This has colour pictures and takes you through each step of the process.

Zip Pouch Free Pattern

Zip Pouch Templates

Basic Zip Pouch Instructions - an abbreviated version

Fabric Requirement / Cutting List

Quilting Cotton

6.5” by 10” x 2 main fabric
6.5” by 10” x 2 lining fabric
6.5” by 2” Main or contrast fabric
2.5” by 2.5” x 2 zip tabs

Cotton Interfacing

6.5” by 10” x 2
6.5” by 2”
10” zip

Basic Information

Seam allowance – ¼ inch or 6mm

Assembly

1. Prepare the Zip – take the zip and add zip tab to one end. To do this take one of the 2.5” squares and wrap it around your zip end with the right sides facing the zip. Like a sandwich.

Sew over the zip and tab ¼” from the end of the zip (back stitch at the start and end to make it secure). Pull the zip tab open and press with the iron. Cut the tabs using a ruler to be 1” and as wide as the zip.

Now measure your zip and first tab and cut it to measure 9.25”. Attach the second zip tab the same as the first. Cut the zip and tabs to measure 10”.

2. Iron the interfacing to the outer cotton fabric 10x6.5” rectangles and the 6.5x2” rectangle.

3. Take one lining section, one outer panel and the zip. Lay the main fabric right side up and align the zip right side down along the top edge. Secure with clips/pins or narrow double-sided tape. Next lay the lining fabric on top right-side down and secure with pins/clips/tape through all three layers. Sew this using a zip foot and ¼” seam allowance.

4. Once sewn iron open and top stitch 1/8” from zip edge on cotton. Use an edge or ditch foot to aid with straight lines.

5. Now attach the main fabric and lining fabric to the other side of the zip the same as before. Once again press open and top stitch.

6. Prepare the hanging loop. Take the 6.5 x 2” strip and iron one end ¼” up. Then iron in half lengthwise and then into the centre (making a ½” wide strip 4 layers thick). Top stitch all the way around 1/8” in from the edge. Now take the strip and sew the short ends together to make a loop.

7. Attach the loop to the outer fabric on the zip pouch (either end its your preference – I prefer the left end when the zip in closed).

8. At this point you can round the bottom corners of the pouch if you want or leave square. To round them use a mug/plate/cello tape roll as a template. Do this on all 4 panels on the bottom corners.

9. Open the zip half way and lay the pouch so that the zip is in the centre, the main fabric panels are laying over each other and the lining fabric panels are laying over each other. Start to pin/clip together at the zip tabs. Push the zip taps so that they are into the half with the lining fabric. Now follow all the way around and clip or pin the fabric so they all align. Sew ¼” all the way around starting at the bottom of the lining and ending 4-5” away from where you started. You can sew over your stitching a second time to add strength to your pouch.

10. If you chose to have square corners clip the corner so that it presses out crisply. If you chose to have rounded bottom corners clip into the seam allowance or use pinking shears. This will allow you curves to turn out cleanly.

11. Turn out through the lining. Press the lining so that the hole is closed with ¼” seam allowance. Either hand stitch or machine the hole closed. Push the lining into the pouch and press well using steam.