Sew a zipper pouch: With this tutorial and the free pattern, even beginners can successfully make flat zipper pouches and zipper pouches with a wide base.
The most important points at a glance
- In this post, I will show you how to sew two very different zipper pouches using the same free pattern
- You will learn which fabrics are suitable and what you should pay attention to during construction
- You can sew the zipper pouch as a classic cosmetic bag with a base
- Or you can sew it as a flat zipper pouch
- You can also beautifully sew the flat version of the pouch as an inner pocket for larger bags; I show you how in my tutorial for the HEXA Hexagon Bag
- Furthermore, you will learn how to sew a zipper into a bag
- The pattern for the zipper pouch is designed for woven fabric.
- The pattern for this zipper pouch is free for Nähpost subscribers
- Sewing level: easy
- Sewing time: 1 afternoon
A quickly sewn zipper pouch is a wonderful sewing project if you have little time available. Or if you quickly need a small storage solution for cosmetics, medication, pens, or needlework supplies. In this tutorial, I will show you two methods for sewing simple zipper pouches.
In the first part of the tutorial, I will show you how to sew a flat pouch with a zipper and lining.
The second version is a classic cosmetic bag with cord quilting. This means the fabric is quilted onto a suitable batting at foot-width intervals. This often works best with foam batting like Style-vil or Style-vil fix. The difference: Style-vil fix is iron-on. This means the batting cannot slip while quilting. The base of the bag is made from a separate piece of fabric and is therefore also visually well-defined.
If you like, you can also use our patchwork techniques to sew the bag. In this way, you don't just use up your fabric scraps – you even elevate them! 🙂 Feel free to check our sewing tutorials for another suitable project; you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for.
YouTube Video: Sewing a flat zipper pouch
How difficult is it to sew a zipper pouch?
If you are not sure if your sewing superpowers are enough for this bag: relax. I explain everything step-by-step in the photo tutorial and video. My tip: Don't choose fabrics that are too firm or thick to start with. And also stay on the slightly thinner but still firm side when it comes to the batting. Then nothing can go wrong.
READING TIP: Sewing a bag: My top 25 tips (by the way, there is also a podcast of ours worth listening to on the subject of bags podcast!)
What do I need to know as a beginner if I want to sew a zipper pouch?
First things first: Decide on a bag shape. That, of course, depends on what the bag will be used for.
For the pouches in this sewing tutorial, basic sewing knowledge is sufficient. You don't know if you are missing a few basics? Then I recommend my online sewing course “The SewSimple Sewing License“. In this 2 1/2-hour course, you will learn everything about materials, machines, and techniques that you need to get started.
If you haven't worked with firm fabrics (i.e., woven fabrics) before, you should take a look at my blog post on sewing cotton fabric. In it, you will learn everything you need to know about working with woven fabric.
What does my sewing machine need to be able to do to sew a zipper pouch?
A standard household sewing machine is perfect for this bag project. It should be able to sew forward and backward. That is important for locking the seams. We reinforce all fabric pieces with batting, so you don't necessarily need an overlock stitch. Usually, a zigzag or an overlock stitch is used for this. The adhesive dots in the batting stabilize the fabric edges so they don't fray.
You can use your walking foot for quilting the seams onto the foam batting. And a zipper foot is very suitable for sewing in the zipper.
Reading tip: Sewing machine feet and their uses
Which stitches are suitable for sewing bags?
Because we reinforce the backs of all the fabrics we use for this bag, the fabric edges are protected from fraying. Therefore, they do not need to be finished. This means that you really only need to use the straight stitch.
You can experiment with the stitch length to see what looks best. I use a stitch length of 2.5 mm for "normal" joining seams. For topstitching, I increase the stitch length to 3.5–4 mm because it gives the seam a nice, even look.
A longer straight stitch is also perfect for quilting Style-Vil.
Which needle is suitable for this bag project?
A universal needle in size 80 or 90 is particularly well-suited for woven fabrics. You should sew a test seam beforehand to see if the needle produces beautiful stitches. Otherwise, insert a new needle before you start sewing.
You can also use a quilting needle for topstitching; it creates particularly even topstitched seams.
If you want to work with a heavy canvas, I recommend a jeans needle in size 110. If you have a jeans foot* for your sewing machine, you should use it. It makes working with firm fabrics enormously easier. I bought such a jeans foot for my Bernina 770 QE and am really thrilled because it ensures such a great fabric feed.
Reading tip: All about sewing machine needles
Which sewing machine feet to use for sewing a zipper pouch?
For this sewing project, you need a zigzag or straight stitch foot. If you also want to sew a zipper panel into your bag, you need a zipper foot. For the version with piping, I recommend using a piping foot. Read more about sewing piping here.
READING TIP: If you would like a little tutoring on sewing machine feet, you are in the best of hands with my blog post Sewing machine feet and their uses. 🙂
Where can I get custom labels and tags?
Do you also love to embellish your bags with custom labels? Then I have a hot tip for you, because I spent a long time looking for a manufacturer who offers great labels for personalization.
I eventually stumbled upon Dortex, a label manufacturer in Dortmund.
First of all, I noticed these beautiful and very diverse labels. And then I read the fine print. And I found that very appealing: Production in Germany, many materials 100% organic. Individual consultation, production even in very small batches, and the whole thing is really affordable too. Unfortunately, unfortunately, I had to snap them up.
What is really great: for various labels that are already pre-punched, the matching book screws are included directly. So you don't have to search for a long time to find the right thickness or diameter.
In any case, I have now ordered a handful of each type for stock. It always looks cool, even on blouses, shirt pockets, or jackets.
Anyway, long story short: Really good stuff.
And for people who don't have the nerve to develop their own logo, there are also ready-made label sets that look really cool. I ordered some of those for myself too. You never know when you might need them, right?
Which fabrics can be used to sew the zipper pouch?
There are so many incredibly great fabrics you can use to sew bags and pouches for shopping. That's why I'm giving you a small overview here in the form of a table. You can also combine different fabric types with each other, for example, canvas and poplin or faux leather and linen.
| Fabric type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Notes & tips | Source |
| Canvas | strong, robust fabric, practically indestructible | – makes the bag a bit heavier – seam intersections or multiple layers of fabric can be a challenge for the sewing machine (and for beginners) |
– sew with a jeans needle or size 90–100 universal needle | Order canvas* |
| Cotton poplin | practical all-round fabric, robust, easy to work with, particularly well-suited for beginners | – should be reinforced beforehand (Vlieseline H200 or H250), otherwise the bag will be too soft | – process with a size 70–80 universal needle | Order poplin* |
| Kokka fabrics | firm and robust, easy to work with, particularly high-quality and aesthetic |
– sometimes fray a little – multiple fabric layers are a challenge for some sewing machines |
– sew with a jeans needle or size 80–90 universal needle – does not need to be reinforced |
Order Kokka fabrics* |
| Cotton batiste | fine but still firm fabric that does not crease easily | – the back of the fabric should definitely be reinforced beforehand, otherwise the bag will be too soft and lose its shape - perfect for reinforcing: Style-vil, Style-vil fix or Thermolam |
– work with heavy, sharp scissors – sew with a jeans needle or size 90–100 universal needle |
Order cotton batiste* |
| Coated cotton | water-repellent, wipeable, robust | - can be a challenge for beginners because the sewing foot sticks to the material | – process with a size 70–90 universal needle - does not need to be reinforced |
Order coated cotton fabrics* |
| Linen/Linen blend | refined, sustainable, natural, with a beautiful creased look | – fabric edges fray easily – fabric is not as firm and often woven somewhat unevenly - suitable for reinforcing are, e.g., Thermolam, Style-vil, Vlieseline H630, H640 or S320 |
– reinforcing with Vlieseline reduces the fraying of fabric edges – process with a size 70–90 universal needle |
Order linen* |
| Denim | firm, strong, and robust | – multiple layers of denim are often difficult to sew - light to medium reinforcement is sufficient, e.g., Vlieseline G770 or H250 |
– sew with a jeans needle or size 90–100 universal needle – jeans thread for topstitching is a good option |
Order denim fabrics* |
| Fine cord/corduroy | beautiful, velvety surface, robust fabric, ages very beautifully | – note the nap direction when cutting: the nap must feel rough downwards e.g., Vlieseline G770 or H250 |
– process with a size 80–90 universal needle | Order corduroy fabric* |
You can also back individual panels with Style-Vil and provide them with quilting lines; this looks really sophisticated and makes the fabric feel "alive." Quilting individual motifs is also a wonderful alternative.
My tip: You can always sew small bags, whether flat or with a wide, stable base, from fabric scraps. Very suitable are discarded jeans, with which you can turn the pouch into a jeans upcycling project.
Where can I find the fabrics used?
You can order all the fabrics I used to sew my pouches directly from Simone. Here are a few examples of great canvas fabrics that are particularly well-suited for the bag.
Anna primarily relied on fabric scraps and combined them in a wild and colorful way. For this, you can use, for example, the quilt-as-you-go method.
Cotton fabrics, woven, solid colors
100% cotton
Width: from 110 cm wide
Acufactum fabrics
Pattern design: acufactum
100% cotton Oeko-Tex® Standard 100
produced in Europe
Weight: 145 g/m²
How should I pre-treat the fabric?
Before you start sewing, you should wash, dry, and iron your fabrics. Use the same temperature at which you intend to wash the finished bag. Be sure to follow the fabric manufacturer's care instructions.
If you're short on time, you can also simply iron the fabric with high heat. Also, remember to steam the zipper as well so that it has a chance to shrink.
Reading tip: Wash fabrics before sewing?
Zipper pouch fabric requirements
You can sew the flat zipper pouch from many different fabric scraps and also quilt the fabrics beautifully. Or you can sew them inside and out from a single fabric design. Regardless of which version you choose: Your little bag will be a real one-of-a-kind, want to bet?
With a fabric width of 110 cm, you need:
- 20 x 60 cm outer fabric
- 20 x 60 cm lining fabric
- Cosmetic bag with base: + 10 cm extra for each
You will also need:
- 20 cm fusible interfacing (depending on fabric type, see table)
- 30 cm Style-Vil
- 30 cm continuous zipper
How big is the zipper pouch?
The zipper pouch with a wide base has the following dimensions:
- Height: approx. 20 cm
- Width (measured at the zipper): approx. 28.5 cm
- Depth (measured at the base): approx. 10 cm
The flat zipper pouch has the following dimensions:
- Height: 16.5 cm
- Width: 26 cm
To make the bags smaller or larger, you can also print the pattern at a percentage smaller or larger.
Free zipper pouch sewing pattern
You can download the pattern for the easy zipper pouch for free in our Freebook section.
Distribution of the sewing pattern is prohibited, as is commercial use.
Print the sewing pattern at 100% without scaling. The printer should be set to "Print document and all markups" so that the labels are transferred to the pattern pieces.
A 1 cm seam allowance is already included in the pattern.
How can I get the free pattern?
Would you like to sew the hexagon bag? Great! To access this and over 100 other exclusive freebooks and free patterns, it is best to proceed as follows:
- Sign up for the SewSimple newsletter
- Click on the newsletter subscription link in the confirmation email: Yes, I want to...
- After receiving the SewSimple welcome email, you are officially a sewing mail subscriber
- Create a customer account with the same email address*
- Log in
- Click on the download link or go to the sewing pattern via the freebook section of your customer account.
It may also help to clear your cookies and cache, use a different browser or incognito mode, or use a different device. Often it works with a PC or laptop if it doesn't work with a mobile phone.
It's also always a good idea to check if your browser is up to date or if your browser settings are preventing a download. :)
- Please understand that I cannot send the sewing pattern by email. Unfortunately, I cannot answer requests for this. It is all the more important that you follow the instructions above for the download correctly.
- For questions about your customer account, definitely take a look at the FAQs!
- If the freebook section is not displayed on mobile, it helps to open the site on a PC. You can also swipe left in the mobile view, and you will then see the download link. 🙂
- If you have received the newsletter before but forgot to confirm your subscription (this can happen for technical reasons), it helps to unsubscribe using the "unsubscribe link" at the bottom of the newsletter, subscribe again, and then confirm your subscription.
Sewing a zipper pouch: Required accessories
- Matching sewing thread*
- Style-Vil or Style-Vil fix* for reinforcing the outer fabric
- Vlieseline S 320* or H200* for reinforcing the lining
- Continuous zipper with pull*
- 10 cm bias tape
- if necessary, temporary spray adhesive*
- possibly label*
- matching sewing machine needle
- Pins*
- Fabric clips*
- Ruler*
- possibly corner and edge shaper* for shaping the bag corners
- Marking pen*
- Fabric scissors*
- Thread snips*
- Sewing machine
Sewing instructions for zipper pouch with base
Now you are well-informed and can start sewing. Here are the step-by-step instructions for the hexagon bag. Reinforce the fabrics with a fleece of your choice before cutting. Important: the choice of reinforcement determines the character of your new bag. Here are a few examples
Reading tip: Non-woven fabrics, interfacings, fleeces, and their use
In the basic guide, I will show you how the bag is sewn with a base and cord quilting. For this, you need your fabric cuts and a piece of Style-Vil.
Before we cut the fabric, we prepare a slightly larger piece of fabric that we quilt onto the Style-Vil.
Add approx. 2 cm of fabric all around the pattern and cut out your fabric pieces. The base consists of 2 fabric strips, each 8 cm high. I have also added a bit more here.
The exact cutting of the outer side is done after quilting.
Of course, you can also sew the bag from a single piece of fabric.
You need the following fabric cuts
- 2 cuts of approx. 20 x 30 cm from outer fabric
- 2 cuts of approx. 8 x 30 cm from outer fabric
- 2 cuts of 26 x 30 cm from lining fabric
Step 1
My bag should have a contrasting base.
To do this, I pin the base piece right sides together to the bottom edge of the first outer piece along the long edge.
Step 2
Sew both fabric cuts together with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance.
Step 3
Iron the seam allowance to one side.
Spray the Style-Vil with temporary spray adhesive.*
Glue the prepared fabric piece onto the Style-Vil.
Step 4
Quilt the fabric onto the Style-Vil using a longer straight stitch, e.g., 3.5 - 4 mm.
For cord quilting, the quilting lines should run the width of a presser foot apart.
For larger gaps, you can also use the seam guide on your sewing machine foot.
Step 5
Cut the outer fabric and lining using the pattern for the Easy Bag, extended by 6 cm.
Make sure that the added bottom strip of the fabric cut is truly 6 cm wide.
Mark 5 x 5 cm corners for the bag bottom on both the lining and the outer fabric.
Step 6
Cut out 5 x 5 cm corners for the bag bottom.
Step 6
Now you need a pre-threaded zipper that is 3 cm shorter than the top edge.
And a piece of bias tape or a strip of fabric (5 cm wide) folded in half inwards.
Step 7
Slide the zipper into the open side of the fabric strip or bias tape.
Stitch the bias tape close to the edge of the zipper.
Trim the bias tape to the width of the zipper.
Step 8
Mark the center of the long edges of the zipper and the upper bag edge on all pattern pieces.
Pin the zipper flush, right sides together, centered on the top edge of the first outer piece.
Pin the first lining piece right sides facing the wrong side of the zipper.
All fabric layers should align flush at the top edge.
Step 9
Sew in the zipper using a zipper foot and a 1 cm seam allowance.
Step 10
Pin the free side of the zipper right sides together to the second outer piece.
Pin the second lining piece right sides facing the wrong side of the zipper.
For checking:
Both outer pieces are right sides together.
And both lining pieces are as well. :)
Sew the zipper on this side just like you did on the first.
Step 11
Fold all fabric pieces away from the zipper so that the zipper is exposed in the middle.
Topstitch the edge next to the zipper close to the seam using a longer straight stitch.
Step 12
Open the zipper a little bit.
This is important so we can turn the bag later.
Step 13
Pin the outer pieces flush, right sides together.
And do the same for the lining pieces.
Mark a turning opening in the bottom of the lining.
Step 14
Sew along all edges using a straight stitch and a 1 cm seam allowance.
The corners are left unsewn.
Step 15
Fold the corners apart so that the bottom and side seams lie exactly on top of each other.
Sew all 4 corners with a 1 cm seam allowance.
Step 16
Trim the seam allowance at the corners and next to the zipper just short of the seam.
This makes it easier to shape the seams.
Step 17
Turn the bag right side out through the turning opening.
Shape all corners and seams well.
Press the seam allowances of the turning opening 1 cm inwards.
Close the turning opening with an edgestitch using a straight stitch.
Push the lining into the bag and press everything neatly once more. Done!
Tutorial: sewing a flat zipper pouch
For this tutorial you need my pattern for the Easy Bag. Download it and print it at 100% without scaling. The pattern pieces don't necessarily need to be reinforced.
If you would like the pouch to be a little sturdier, you can use, for example, Vlieseline G700* or G710*.
Fabric pieces
1 x outer fabric and 1 x lining fabric, uncut
1 x outer fabric and 1 x lining fabric, cut apart at the marking
Zipper tabs: 2 x 8 x 4 cm wide
Zipper: 3 cm narrower than the width of the pouch, slider attached
Enclose the ends of the zipper (with the slider already on) with the two 4 x 8 cm fabric pieces.
To do this, fold the short sides of the fabric pieces towards each other and place the end of the zipper in the fold.
Repeat this step on the other side.
Sew the tab to the zipper with a 1 cm seam allowance.
Then fold the tab away from the zipper.
Edgestitch the tab with a straight stitch.
Trim it to the width of the zipper.
Mark the centre of the long edges of the fabric pieces and the centre of the long edge of the zipper.
We start with the two narrow fabric pieces.
Pin the zipper with its tabs flush between the two upper narrow pieces of outer and lining fabric.
The right side of the zipper should face the right side of the outer fabric.
Pin the edges flush on top of each other.
Sew in the zipper using a zipper foot and a 1 cm seam allowance.
This is what it should look like now.
Press both fabric pieces away from the zipper.
Sew the two lower bag pieces to the other side of the zipper in the same way.
Here, too, I use a straight stitch with a 1 cm seam allowance.
Tip: a zipper foot is extremely helpful for this seam!
This is how it looks from the right side of the fabric now...
...and this is how it looks from the wrong side.
Open the zipper part of the way so that we can turn the pouch through the zipper later.
Pin the two large pieces flush onto the pouch, placing them so that their right sides meet the right sides of the prepared pouch.
On the outer side, the right side of the fabric lies on the right side of the outer fabric.
On the lining side, the right side of the fabric lies on the right side of the lining fabric.
On the lining side, the right side of the fabric lies on the wrong side of the zipper.
Pin all 4 fabric layers flush on top of each other.
If your seam allowance varied a little when sewing in the zipper, you may need to trim the lining pieces slightly; that's totally okay.
Leave a 6-7 cm turning gap open in the bottom edge.
Trim the seam allowances diagonally at the corners.
Turn the pouch right side out through the turning gap.
Shape the edges well and press the pouch.
Press the seam allowances of the turning gap 1 cm to the inside.
Close the turning gap by hand with a ladder stitch.
Tutorial: Sewing a ladder stitch
Conclusion: two pouches, countless possibilities!
Not only are these sweet zipper pouches incredibly practical and useful in every situation – they are also huge fun to sew. With our pattern for the Easy Bag, you can easily sew both bag shapes yourself: the flat pouch with zipper and the zipper pouch with a base.
I hope you have as much fun with this tutorial as I did.
Happy simple sewing, yours, Sabine
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