Hey everyone! Today we're making a bright little zip pouch, and you'll learn how to sew in a zipper without the stress.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Boundless Coordinated Stash Builder Bundle - Ice Pops.
It is a Craftsy Bluprint bundle.
The total is 7 7/8 yards.
You get 11 pieces in all.
These are quilt-shop quality fabrics, made in Japan.
Every piece is 100% cotton.
The width is 44/45 inches.
The listed end uses are crafts and quilting.
Here is exactly what you get.
You get 4 1/2 yards of ivory solid.
You get 1/4 yard of orange ombre.
You get 5/8 yard of cream white solid.
You get 1/2 yard of coral orange ombre.
You get 1/2 yard of pink ombre.
You get 1/2 yard of lime green ombre.
You get 1/2 yard of blue ombre.
You get a fat eighth of pink ombre.
You get a fat eighth of yellow ombre.
You get a fat eighth of lime ombre.
And you get a fat eighth of teal ombre.
The pattern is not included.
That is fine, y'all. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
I reach for a bundle like this for small makes. The ombres do the color work for you. One small cut already has light and dark in it. The ivory gives you a calm lining, and there is plenty.
The project: a bright zip pouch
We are making one zip pouch to start.
Finished, it measures about 9 by 6 inches.
That size holds notions or chargers just right.
Why does this bundle suit it?
A pouch only needs small pieces. Those fat eighths are perfect for the outside. Quilting cotton presses crisp and holds its shape with a little interfacing. Mix two ombres, front and back, for a fun surprise.
My pick is pink ombre outside. Ivory solid inside. Teal ombre for a little pull tab.
Or try lime green outside with blue ombre on the back.
Completely up to you.
Materials list
- The Boundless Coordinated Stash Builder Bundle - Ice Pops - various fabrics 7 7/8 yards total, for the outside, lining, and tab below
- For the outside: two pieces of ombre, each 10 inches by 7 inches
- For the lining: two pieces of ivory solid, each 10 inches by 7 inches
- For the tab: one piece of teal ombre, 4 inches by 2 inches
- One 9-inch nylon zipper
- Lightweight fusible interfacing, two pieces 10 inches by 7 inches
- 50-weight cotton thread in soft white, and a size 80/12 universal needle
- Your usual tools: rotary cutter, ruler, mat, clips, iron, zipper foot, and sewing machine
Brief steps
Step one: fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of both outside pieces. Press well and let them cool flat.
Step two: lay one outside piece right side up. Lay the zipper right side down on the top edge. Lay one lining piece right side down on top. Clip.
Step three: sew with your zipper foot and a 1/4-inch seam. Keep the needle close to the teeth, not on them.
Step four: fold both fabrics back and press. Topstitch 1/8 inch from the fold to keep lining out of the teeth. Repeat on the other side.
Step five: fold the tab in half lengthwise, press, fold the raw edges in, press again, and stitch down the middle. Fold it in half for a loop.
Step six: open the zipper at least halfway. This matters, folks. Lay outside pieces right sides together. Lay lining pieces right sides together. Tuck the tab loop between the outside pieces on one side.
Step seven: sew around with a 1/2-inch seam. Leave a 3-inch gap in the lining for turning. Go slow over the zipper ends. Slow down or the needle snaps on a metal stop.
Step eight: turn right side out through that gap. Poke corners out gently. Stitch the gap closed, tuck lining in, and press. Just like that.
Practical tips
Tip one: use a nylon zipper first. It is forgiving to sew near, and easy to trim.
Tip two: I have sewn a zipper in upside down. More than once, honestly. If you do too, take the stitches out slow and try again. No harm done.
Tip three: do not chase a perfect zipper end. It does not have to be perfect. You are your own worst critic here. Take your time, it is not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
And here is the fun part. This bundle holds enough for a whole stack of pouches. Super duper easy gifts, y'all.
Alrighty, folks. Thanks so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Boundless Coordinated Stash Builder Bundle - Ice Pops - various fabrics 7 7/8 yards total at Linda's Electric Quilters.
