Sew a Maultasche (German ravioli) instead of eating one? Absolutely! With my instructions and pattern, you can sew an appetizing zipper pouch with a wide opening in no time.
The most important things at a glance
- The Maultasche is a zipper pouch with a twist
- It gets its clever shape from the pattern and a special folding technique
- You can sew the pouch using any sturdy fabric
- In the photo tutorial, I show you step by step how to sew the pouch
- You can download the pattern for free in the freebie section here on the blog
- Sewing level: easy
- Sewing time: 1 - 2 hours
What is a Maultasche?
Okay, I admit it: technically, a Maultasche is a Swabian dish. Because our new zipper pouch looks like a pair of pursed lips and can even look like it's pouting, we named it Maultasche. When you look at it, it’s quite easy to see why, right? ;)
YouTube Video: Sewing a Maultasche
Is it feasible for beginners to sew a Maultasche?
Maybe you're unsure if you know enough about sewing to make a Maultasche? Don't worry, you can do it. Even if you don't have much experience, you will celebrate successes with this little pouch if you follow my instructions step by step. If you prefer watching video tutorials, you can also watch the video guide on my YouTube channel (or right here in the instructions). 🙂
Maybe you'll get bold afterward and want to tackle your next project right away? Then you can sew a large and cheerful shopping bag to match your little Maultasche.
What do I need to keep in mind as a sewing beginner when making a Maultasche?
For this small zipper pouch, you only need some basic knowledge. If you feel too unsure, I recommend my online sewing course. The SewSimple Sewing License is perfectly suited for this, and in 2.5 hours you'll gain practical knowledge to get started with sewing. Afterward, you can immediately put your newly acquired know-how to the test with two beautiful projects.
You should have already tried out your sewing machine and mastered a few straight stitches before getting started with the Maultasche. It's best to practice with a few fabric scraps or old pieces of clothing made from sturdy, woven fabrics.
You can learn more about sewing with sturdy fabrics in my post Sewing Cotton Fabric. You'll find an overview here on how to process woven fabrics. That will certainly be very helpful to you.
What should my sewing machine be able to do to sew a Maultasche?
A normal household sewing machine with a straight stitch is perfect for this project. If you want to use heavy fabrics to sew this pouch, you should use a stronger sewing machine needle. For particularly sturdy canvas, I like to use a heavy-duty denim needle* in size 100.
READING TIP: All about sewing machine needles
Which stitches should my sewing machine have?
If you reinforce your fabrics with interfacing, finishing edges with a zigzag stitch is not necessary. The iron-on interfacing prevents the fabric edges from fraying. This is because the adhesive in the interfacing bonds with the fabric fibers.
Since there is a lining fabric and no open edges, a straight stitch is completely sufficient. You can set the length of the straight stitch for normal seams to 2.5 to 3.0.
When topstitching from the outside, you can set the stitch length to 3.5 or even 4.0. This will look nice and even. Just try it out on a fabric scrap. This way, you can also see if you like the thread color on your chosen fabric.
Which presser foot to use for sewing a Maultasche?
You can use a standard or zigzag presser foot for this small zipper pouch. A zipper foot is ideal for sewing in the zipper and for topstitching along the edge next to the zipper.
If your fabric is particularly thick, you can also use a walking foot.
TIP: Read more here about presser feet and their use.
Which fabrics are suitable for the Maultasche?
A Maultasche like this should be sewn from woven cotton. If your fabric is a bit finer, you can reinforce it with Vlieseline H250 before cutting. This way, the pouch retains its beautiful shape and the fabric doesn't distort while sewing.
| Fabric type | Info | Disadvantages | Notes & Tips | Source |
| Canvas | - Canvas is a fabric woven from strong yarns | – makes the pouch a bit stiffer and heavier - it holds its shape better – seam transitions and multiple fabric layers are a bit harder to sew for the machine and beginners |
– doesn't necessarily need to be reinforced with interfacing – a good, sharp pair of fabric shears is very useful – sew with a denim needle or size 90–100 universal needle |
Order canvas* |
| Cotton Poplin | - sturdy weave - made from fine yarns - an "all-rounder" |
– poplin should be reinforced for this project (Vlieseline H200 or H250), otherwise the pouch will be too thin | – process with a size 70–80 universal needle | Order poplin* |
| Cotton Batiste | - fine, sturdy fabric that doesn't wrinkle easily | – fabric back side should be reinforced | – process with a size 70–90 universal needle | Order cotton batiste* |
| Coated Cotton | water-repellent - wipeable - robust |
– cannot handle ironing heat |
– process with a size 70–90 universal needle - sew with a Teflon foot or walking foot if necessary - does not need to be reinforced |
Order coated cotton fabrics* |
| Linen/Linen Blend | - made from flax - more robust than cotton |
– fabric edges fray faster – fabric is more prone to distortion |
– reinforcing with interfacing reduces fraying and prevents distortion – process with a size 70–90 universal needle |
Order linen* |
| Denim | - firm, strong, and robust | – multiple layers of denim are harder to sew |
– process with heavy, sharp scissors – sew with a denim needle or size 90–100 universal needle – denim thread for topstitching is an advantage – does not necessarily need to be reinforced |
Order denim fabrics* |
| Fine Corduroy/Cord | - velvety ribs - robust fabric | – nap direction (parallel to the selvage) must be observed when cutting: The nap must feel rough when stroked downwards | – process with a size 80–90 universal needle | Order corduroy* |
What you need to sew a Maultasche
- Outer fabric and lining, for example poplin* or canvas*
- Zipper with slider*
- Scissors*
- Thread snips*
- Fabric clips*
- Needle & thread
- Fabric marker*
- Interfacing (Vlieseline)*
Free Maultasche Pattern
- The Maultasche pattern is exclusive to newsletter subscribers
- You can download the pattern for free in our freebie section.
- Sharing the pattern is prohibited, as is commercial use (unless with a license)
- Print the pattern at 100% scale without page scaling. Your printer should be set to “Print document and all markups” so that the markings can also be transferred to the pattern.
- A seam allowance of 0.7 - 1 cm is included in the pattern
If you have problems with the download or logging into your customer account, our FAQs will help you further. We ask for your understanding that we cannot send the pattern individually via email and cannot answer such requests.
How big is the finished Maultasche?
- Size 1: Length: 14.5 cm, width 7.5 cm
- Size 2: Length 17 cm, width 9 cm
- Size 3: Length 18 cm, width 10 cm
- Size 4: Length 27 cm, width 15 cm
- Size 5: Length 30 cm, width 16.5 cm
- Size 6: Length 34 cm, width 20 cm
Materials needed and zipper lengths
| Size | Outer Fabric | Lining | Interfacing | Zipper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 x 40 cm | 10 x 40 cm | 10 x 40 cm | 20 cm |
| 2 | 12 x 50 cm | 12 x 50 cm | 12 x 50 cm | 25 cm |
| 3 | 15 x 60 cm | 15 x 60 cm | 15 x 60 cm | 28 cm |
| 4 | 20 x 65 cm | 20 x 65 cm | 20 x 65 cm | 33 cm |
| 5 | 20 x 80 cm | 20 x 80 cm | 20 x 80 cm | 40 cm |
| 6 | 20 x 100 cm | 20 x 100 cm | 20 x 100 cm | 50 cm |
Conclusion
Wow, that wasn't just an easy exercise, it was actually really fun, right? Let me know in the comments how you got on with the tutorial. Did you get started right away and sew a few "Maultäschchen" (pouches) to have on hand? I always like having some in reserve as a quick, little gift.
They make great small gifts paired with a nice hand cream, a special soap, or (in the mini version) a lip balm. But they are also a great way to give a cash gift. In no time at all, this smart zipper pouch becomes a "wish granter". :)
I will definitely be sewing a few more. I’ve become especially fond of the three small sizes. Half of my sewn "Maulies" have already been given away.
Happy simple sewing, your Sabine
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