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In this sewing tutorial, I’m going to demonstrate how to use a serger to create a lined zipper pouch in this sewing tutorial that I’m going to share with you. It is quick and simple to stitch up since the serger will accomplish all of the work of sewing the seams and completing the raw edges in a single step, making it efficient. When you are through stitching, you will have a zipper pouch that is both adorable and functional. This Zipper pouch is ideal for transporting little goods such as sewing notions or cosmetics, as it zips closed.
What you’ll need to assemble a bag with a lined zipper

- Fabric for Zipper Pouch Exterior: A 12″ x 12″ piece is ideal for creating a Zipper pouch of a handy size.
- Fabric for Lining: Another 12″ x 12″ piece, possibly in a contrasting or complementary color to the exterior.
- Batting: A 12″ x 12″ piece to give the Zipper pouch some structure and softness.
- Medium Weight Fusible Interfacing: This will reinforce the fabric, providing stability and durability to the Zipper pouch.
- Plastic Zipper: A length of 15 inches or longer, which can be trimmed to fit the Zipper pouch.
- Serger (Optional): Although not mandatory, a serger or overlocker will make the sewing process faster and give a professional finish.
- Ribbon: A small 5-inch length for a zipper pull, adding a functional and decorative touch.
- Regular Sewing Supplies: Including thread, scissors, and pins.
Before You Begin:
- Understand the Project: It’s always beneficial to read through the entire tutorial before starting. This ensures you have a clear understanding of the steps involved and the materials required.
- Assess Your Skills: Quickly skimming the tutorial gives you an insight into the project’s complexity. This is particularly helpful for beginners to decide whether the project is within their skill level.
- Prepare Your Workspace: Organize your materials and tools. Ensure your serger is threaded and ready to go, and your regular sewing machine is set up for any non-serged sewing steps.
- Pre-Cut Your Materials: Cut your fabrics, batting, and interfacing to the specified size. If your zipper is longer than needed, mark the desired length before starting.
- Iron Your Fabrics: Press your fabrics and fusible interfacing to remove any wrinkles, ensuring a smooth sewing process.
Step 1. Prepare Everything Necessary For Sewing The Zipper Pouch

- Select the Fabric: Choose a medium-weight outdoor fabric for a sturdy Zipper pouch, or quilting cotton reinforced with fusible interfacing for a lighter option. Upholstery fabric, home décor cloth, or vinyl are also great choices, depending on the desired look and feel.
- Choose the Lining: A piece of lightweight fabric like silk is ideal for the lining, ensuring the Zipper pouch is not too bulky.
- Pick the Right Zipper: Opt for a standard plastic zipper with small plastic teeth, avoiding invisible, metal, or large-toothed zippers. Ensure it’s at least 15 inches long for easy handling and trimming.
- Ribbon for Loops: Prepare a small ribbon for zipper pouch loops, or alternatively, you can make these from fabric.
- Set Up Your Serger: If you have a serger, thread it with appropriate thread. If not, prepare your regular sewing machine.
- Prepare Your Cutting Table: Clear your cutting area of any clutter for a neat and level surface. Ensure all cutting tools like scissors, rotary cutters, and cutting mats are at hand.
Step 2: Cut The Fabric For The Zipper Pouch
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- Cut the Exterior Fabric: Measure and cut a 12″ x 12″ square of your chosen fabric. Use a rotary cutter for precision, aligning the fabric with the grid lines on the cutting mat.
- Cut the Batting: Use the fabric square as a template to cut a 12″ x 12″ piece of batting.
- Cut the Lining: Similarly, cut a 12″ x 12″ square for the lining.
- Prepare the Loops: Cut two 7.5 cm pieces of ribbon for the loops.
Step 3: Prepare Your Serger For The Project

- Test Stitch: Before starting the project, test the serger on a scrap piece of fabric. Use a 4-thread, 2-needle serger stitch, and set for a quarter-inch seam allowance if that matches your serger’s stitch width.
- Check the Stitch Quality: Ensure the stitch is even, with no loose threads or holes in the fabric. Adjust the serger settings as needed until you achieve the desired stitch quality.
Step 4. Sew A Zipper For The Zipper Pouch

- Baste the Zipper: Secure the zipper to the fabric using a basting stitch. This prevents the zipper from shifting while sewing. Align the zipper’s right side to the fabric’s right side, using clips or pins to hold it in place. Unzip before sewing.
- Sewing the Zipper: Start sewing about 1 inch from the edge of the fabric. Ensure the zipper and fabric edge align, avoiding cutting with the serger knife. Keep the knife’s cutting line aligned with the fabric edge to prevent accidental cuts.
- Attaching the Second Side: Repeat the process for the other side of the zipper. Fold the fabric as shown, aligning the edges, and secure the zipper lace with clips. Sew around the zipper edge without cutting with the serger knife.
- Press the Seams: Press the seam allowances toward the fabric, not directly on the zipper teeth. Use a pressing cloth to protect both the zipper and the fabric.
Step 5: Sew The Lining For The Zipper Pouch

- Attach the Lining: Place the lining fabric (12″ x 12″) right sides together with the fabric already attached to the zipper. Use clips to hold the layers together, aligning the squares with the zipper lace sandwiched in between.
- Sewing the Lining: Begin stitching an inch from the fabric edge, ensuring alignment at the corners. After sewing, close the zipper and press the fabric around it.
- Turning the Pouch: Unzip the zipper halfway to allow turning the Zipper pouch inside out. Trim the ends of the zipper.
Step 6: Sew The Side Seams Of The Zipper Pouch
- Mark the Midpoints: Fold the bag to find the midpoints on both sides and mark them. Use a Frixion pen or similar, marking only the outer side.
- Aligning the Zipper: Align the midpoint marks with the zipper teeth, securing with pins if needed. Keep the zipper open.
- Inserting the Loops: Before sewing the sides, insert loops made of ribbon or fabric. Use a small amount of fabric glue to hold the loops in place if pins can’t be used.
- Overlapping Zipper Ends: Position the zipper ends to slightly overlap, ensuring no gap forms when serging.
- Serging the Seams: Sew the sides with a serger, without trimming seam allowances with the serger knife. The serger should smoothly go over the plastic zipper teeth.
- Finishing: After sewing both seams, leave the thread tails unclipped for now. Ensure the zipper teeth are closely aligned for a neat finish.
Step 7. Finish The Zipper Pouch
- Marking the Corners: Begin by marking fold lines on each corner using your marker. These marks will guide the next steps.
- Measuring and Marking: Switch to measuring in centimeters (with inch equivalents for reference). From each fold line, measure 5 cm (2 inches) towards the zipper and mark this point. Then, measure 6 cm (2 3/8 inches) along the zipper from the outer edge and mark these points as well.
- Folding and Pinning the Corners: Fold each corner so the fold line extends from the corner to the marked spot. Use a pin to ensure the fold line aligns with the seam line. Adjust as needed to achieve alignment, and pin the corner in place.
- Marking the Stitching Line: From the marked point, measure 1 cm (3/8 inch) towards the corner and mark. Draw a line connecting these two points; this will be your stitching line. Repeat for the opposite corner and then for the corners on the other side of the pouch.
- Sewing the Corners: With the serger, sew along these marked lines. Ensure the left needle mark on the serger foot aligns with your drawn line on the fabric.
- Securing Thread Tails: Remove the needle threads and allow the looper threads to unravel from the fabric. Knot the thread ends together and trim close to the knot. Apply a dab of glue to the knot to secure it permanently.
- Finishing the Pouch: Turn the pouch right side out. Now, your zipper pouch is complete and ready for use.
This video will help you more in knowing how to sew a lined zipper pouch:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a serger to make a zipper pouch?
No, a serger is not absolutely necessary. You can use a regular sewing machine with a zipper foot. However, a serger will give your pouch a more professional finish by cleanly binding the edges.
What fabric is best for a zipper pouch?
Medium-weight fabrics like outdoor fabric, upholstery fabric, or vinyl are great choices. You can also use quilting cotton, but it may need reinforcement with fusible interfacing for added stability.
Can I use any type of zipper?
It’s best to use a standard plastic zipper with small teeth for ease of sewing. Avoid invisible zippers, metal zippers, or zippers with large teeth as they can be challenging to sew with a serger.
How can I prevent the fabric from shifting while sewing the zipper?
You can use basting stitches or fabric clips to keep the fabric and zipper aligned while sewing. This helps prevent shifting and ensures a neat finish.
What’s the purpose of the ribbon in this project?
The ribbon is used to create loops at the ends of the zipper, which can be handy for opening and closing the pouch. You can substitute it with a small piece of fabric if preferred.
How do I ensure the corners of my pouch are even and symmetrical?
Measure and mark the corners accurately before sewing. Use a ruler and a fabric marker to ensure that all corners are identical in size and shape for a symmetrical finish.
Is it difficult to sew over the zipper with a serger?
Sewing over a plastic zipper with a serger is generally not difficult, but you should be careful to avoid the serger knife cutting the zipper teeth. Go slowly and make sure the zipper is aligned correctly.
How do I finish the seams neatly with a serger?
After serging, secure the thread tails with knots and a dab of glue. This prevents the threads from unraveling and keeps your seams tidy.
Can I customize the size of my zipper pouch?
Absolutely! You can adjust the dimensions of the fabric squares to make a pouch that suits your needs. Just ensure that the zipper is longer than the width of your pouch for easy assembly.
What should I do if I don’t have a cutting mat and rotary cutter?
If you don’t have a cutting mat or rotary cutter, you can draw a pattern on paper, pin it to your fabric, and cut it out with fabric shears. Ensure that your fabric is aligned correctly with the grainline for the best results.
Conclusion
creating a lined zipper pouch with a serger is a rewarding and practical sewing project suitable for a range of skill levels. By carefully selecting materials, such as medium-weight fabric and a standard plastic zipper, and employing precise measuring and cutting techniques, you can craft a durable and stylish pouch. The use of a serger not only streamlines the process but also gives the pouch a professional finish with neatly bound edges. This project not only enhances your sewing skills but also results in a versatile pouch perfect for organizing small items like cosmetics or sewing notions. The satisfaction of creating a functional, handmade item adds a personal touch to your accessories or makes for a thoughtful, customized gift.
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