Full Access Zipper Pouch Tutorial

I love making zipper pouches – any shape and any size!  They are perfect for every situation and every occasion!!  This is a tutorial for how to make a “full access” or “open wide” zipper pouch.  This method will work for any measurements of zipper pouch.  Before we get started, prepare the outer bag, lining, and stabilizer or quilt batting.

My favorite zipper pouch dimensions:

6.5″ x 9″

8″ x 11″

and this one is 7.5″ x 9″

Cut (2) outer bag pieces the same size.  The one above is pieced.  You can piece the outer bag in any design, as long as the measurements are the same as the back and the lining.

Cut (2) lining fabrics the same size

Cut (2) stabilizer pieces or batting pieces also the same size

Fuse the stabilizer to the outer bag pieces, or quilt the outer bag pieces.

And now for the zipper…..

I always use a zipper that is larger than I need.

Mark a straight line on the wrong side of the zipper, as pictured below.  This will provide a way to make sure the zipper matches up.

Place the 2 outer bag pieces as pictured below, as thought the zipper was in the center.  Place a mark 1/2″ from the left edge and 1 1/2″ from the right edge, as shown below.

Place the zipper face down on the front piece of the bag:

Match up the mark on the zipper and the 1/2″ mark on the bag with the end of the zipper trailing off as pictured below:

Continue to pin the zipper along the raw edge of the bag front.  

Now place one of the lining pieces face down on the bag front/zipper portion.  Align the raw edges along the top and pin in place.

Using a zipper foot, sew along the pinned edge.  The front end of the zipper should be trailing out of the seam, and the marked lines should match up.  Kind of curve the zipper in to make sure the marks meet exactly.

Continue sewing and stop the needle in the down position at the 1 1/2″ mark.  Move the zipper tail to the right  and continue sewing right off the zipper and all the way along the raw edge.  You should not be sewing the zipper once you hit the 1 1/2″ mark.

Once you turn the outer bag piece facing out, this is what it should look like:

Position the outer bag back piece next to the zipper as pictured above. Repeat the same process of sewing the zipper, only on the opposite side.  Match the marks at the 1/2″ point.  Then put the second bag lining piece on top, right side down.  Pin along the top and sew with the zipper foot.

  You will need to sew this portion “opposite” with the needle moved all the way over to the opposite side and the bulk of the zipper pouch next to the throat of the sewing machine.

Stop sewing at the 1 1/2″ mark and pull the zipper end to the right and continue sewing (below)

This is how the bag should look now:

Trim off the excess zipper of the front only, leave the tail.

WITH THE ZIPPER PARTIALLY OPEN, match right sides together of the lining pieces and right sides together of the outer bag pieces, tuck the zipper tail way inside this unit so it doesn’t get caught in the seam.  Pin all the way around, matching the seams.

Sew all the way around the bag using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Leave a 3″ opening on one of the bag lining sides for turning.

This part will differ depending on the bag you are making.  I like to use a 1 1/4″ or a 1 1/2″ notch.  Cut a pattern square the desired size of the notch.  Cut this notch out of each corner.

After the notches have been cut, open the corner of the bag so the bottom seams match up and pin:

Sew a 1/4″ seam along each of the 4 corners, back-stitching at the start and stop of the seam.This is how the bag should look now (above).  Turn the bag right side out and top stitch the opening closed.

Press the lining down inside the bag and top stitch all the way around the top of the bag 1/4″ away from the top.

To finish the zipper, make a zipper tab.  Cut an accent piece 3 1/2″ x 2″.

Press the short ends under 1/4″ and the sides in enough to match the width of the zipper.  Then press in half.

Cut the zipper tail to the desired length and then place the zipper tab over the end of the zipper.  Pin.  Top stitch all the way around the zipper tab.

And it’s finished!!!

These are some of my favorite zipper pouch tutorials: