Hey everyone! Today we're sewing a handy little zip pouch, and I'll show you how one fresh green batik becomes something you'll reach for every day.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the Banyan 80053-63 SOPHIE GREEN 45" wide fabric per yard from Fabric Fanatics.
It's a batik. It's 45" wide. It's made by Banyan. And it's sold by the yard here at Linda's.
The name tells you the look. Sophie is the design name. Green is the color. And it's a really really pretty green, one that goes with denim and canvas alike.
Batiks are wonderful for small projects. They press crisp, hold a fold where you put it, and the color runs deep and rich, so even a small cut looks like the main event.
One half yard gives you plenty for a pouch or two. Completely up to you how many you sew.
The project: a lined zip pouch
We're making a flat, lined pouch that finishes about 9" wide by 6" tall.
That size holds a lot, folks. Phone charger and cord. Lip balm and hand cream. Rotary cutter and marking pens. This little bad boy corrals it all.
Why does this fabric suit it? A pouch is small, so the fabric does all the showing off. The green batik carries the whole outside by itself, no piecing needed. And batik's crisp hand means sharp corners and a zipper that sits nice and flat.
The zipper scares a lot of folks off. Don't let it. We'll go slow, and I'll warn you where the risk lives.
Materials
- 1/2 yard of Banyan 80053-63 Sophie Green for the outside and lining
- One nylon coil zipper, at least 10" long — we'll trim it to fit
- Two pieces of fusible interfacing, 10" by 7"
- Thread that blends with the green
- Zipper foot for your machine
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat
- Pins or clips, and a point turner or chopstick
- Optional: a 6" fabric strip for a side tab or wrist loop
Brief steps
One. Press your fabric. Cut two outside pieces at 10" by 7", and two lining pieces the same size. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of both outside pieces. Crisp fabric cuts true, y'all.
Two. Lay one outside piece face up. Lay your zipper face down along the top 10" edge, pull to the left. Lay a lining piece face down on top. That's a zipper sandwich. Clip every 2" to 3".
Three. Sew that top edge with your zipper foot and a 1/4" seam allowance. Use an 80/12 needle and a stitch length of about 2.5. Near the zipper pull, stop with the needle down, lift the foot, and slide the pull past. Just like that, no bump in your seam.
Four. Flip both fabrics to the other side of the zipper and press flat, away from the teeth. Topstitch about 1/8" from the fold. Repeat steps two and three on the other side of the zipper.
Five. Important part, folks. Open the zipper at least halfway before you sew the pouch closed. Forget, and you'll be turning it through a closed zipper. Oh my goodness, that's a fight you don't want. Lay the outside pieces face to face, and the lining pieces face to face. Pin all around.
Six. Sew around all four sides with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 3" opening in the lining bottom. Warning moment: go slow crossing the zipper ends, and hand-crank over the teeth. Slow down there or the needle can snap. Clip the corners, turn the pouch right side out through the opening, and stitch it closed. Press, and you're done. Super duper cute.
Practical tips
Use a nylon coil zipper, not metal, for your first pouch. You can sew near the coil and trim the extra length without fighting metal stops. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Want options? Box the bottom corners at 1" for a pouch that stands up. Or leave it flat for a purse organizer. My preference is flat. But it is completely up to you.
I have sewn a lining shut with the zipper fully closed before. Yes, I have. The fix was patient work with a seam ripper and a good laugh at myself. The fix is part of the making, folks.
And here's the permission beat, because I mean it. It does not have to be perfect. A topstitch that wanders a little still holds your things just fine. You're your own worst critic. Nobody is unzipping your pouch to grade your seams. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Banyan 80053-63 SOPHIE GREEN 45" wide fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
