Hey everyone. Today we're sewing a classic black zip pouch that uses just a few charm squares and finishes fast.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the Black Bella Solids Charm Pack Precuts, from United Notions.
It is a Moda precut.
The group name is Bella Solids.
And the stock number is 9900PP 99, if you like to keep notes.
Inside the pack you get 42 assorted pieces.
Each square measures 5 inches by 5 inches.
That is your classic Charm Pack size.
The color here is black.
The tags call it a solid precut, and that matters.
There is no print to match up.
There is no direction to worry about.
You just pick your squares and sew.
These squares were made in Korea, per the product details.
And because the fabric is a solid, your stitching becomes part of the design.
The project: a go-everywhere zip pouch
We are making a flat zip pouch.
The finished pouch measures about 9 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall.
That size holds sewing notions, chargers, and all those little things that sink to the bottom of a tote.
Here is why the math works so nicely.
Pick 2 squares for the front.
Sew them side by side with a quarter-inch seam.
That panel measures 9.5 inches wide by 5 inches tall.
Do the same with 2 more squares for the back.
Just like that, your outside is ready.
You only need 4 squares for one pouch.
With 42 squares in the pack, you have plenty left for a matching set.
This fabric suits a zip pouch for a plain, honest reason.
A pouch gets handled every single day.
A dark, solid outside looks neat and does not fight with a fun lining or a bright zipper.
Materials
- 1 Black Bella Solids Charm Pack Precuts — 42 pieces, 5 inches by 5 inches; you will use 4 squares
- 1 zipper, 10 inches or longer — longer is easier to sew, and you will trim the extra
- Lining fabric — 1 fat quarter from your stash, cut to match your panels
- 2 pieces of fusible fleece or thin batting, about 9.5 inches by 5 inches each
- Thread to match
- Your usual sewing machine needle — an 80/12 is a good everyday choice here
- A zipper foot for your machine
- Pins or clips, a ruler, and a marking pencil
Brief steps
First, sew your front pair together.
Use a quarter-inch seam allowance.
Set your stitch length to about 2.5 millimeters, roughly 10 stitches per inch.
Press that seam to one side.
Repeat for your back pair.
Next, fuse the fleece to the wrong side of each panel.
Quilt each panel simply if you like.
Stitch in the ditch along that center seam is plenty.
Now cut your lining pieces to the same size as your panels, about 9.5 inches by 5 inches.
Layer one panel right side up.
Lay the zipper right side down along the top edge.
Lay one lining piece right side down on top.
Pin or clip, then sew with your zipper foot.
Slow down as you near the zipper pull.
Stop with the needle down, lift the foot, and slide the pull past.
Slow down there, or the needle can hit the pull and snap.
Repeat on the other side with the back panel and the second lining piece.
Now open the zipper at least halfway.
That step matters, y'all.
Pin the outside panels right sides together.
Pin the lining pieces right sides together, too.
Sew all the way around with a quarter-inch seam, leaving about a 3-inch opening in the bottom of the lining.
Clip the corners, turn the pouch right side out through that opening, and push the corners out gently.
Stitch the lining opening closed, tuck the lining inside, and give it a good press.
Super duper handy.
Practical tips
Give yourself permission to practice the zipper on scrap fabric first.
It does not have to be perfect.
My first zipper was wavy enough to make me laugh.
I unpicked it, slowed down, and tried again.
You are your own worst critic here.
Nobody will carry a ruler to check your topstitching.
Take your time, too.
It is not a race.
One more honest tip from my own table.
Use a zipper that is longer than the pouch.
The pull stays out of your way while you sew, and trimming the tail at the end is easy.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
We're making a pouch you will actually use.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Black Bella Solids Charm Pack Precuts at Linda's Electric Quilters.
