DIY: Zippered Box Pouch

Zippered Box Pouch Sewing Tutorial. How to Sew a Box Zipper Pouch | DIY Zipper Box Pouch.

Materials:

    1 10” nylon zipper
    2 10”x7” panels for the outside of the pouch
    2 10”x7” panels for the lining (inside) of the pouch
    Fusible (iron-on) interfacing for all 4 panels
    Sewing supplies and a sewing machine

Instructions:

    Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of each of the pouch panels.

With a piece of the lining fabric RIGHT SIDE UP, place the zipper FACE UP along the long edge.

Lay a panel of the outer fabric FACE DOWN on the zipper. The zipper will essentially be sandwiched between the 2 layers.

Preferably using a zipper foot, sew along the long side of the zipper.

IMPORTANT: start and stop the sewing ½” from each edge (don’t sew all the way to the ends). I marked my zipper with purple ink so I would not forget. This will allow you to sew the short sides of the bag later.

Repeat the same for the other side of the zipper.

Press the outer and lining fabric away from the zipper so it lays neatly, as show in the photo.

Topstitch alongside the zipper for a nice, finished look.

Then, open the sides of the pouch so the right sides of the outer bag, and the right sides of the lining, face each other.

Pin along the bottom of each, leaving a 4” opening along the lining side. If you don’t leave this opening you will not be able to turn the pouch right side out to finish it.

When you’ve sewn along the long edges (leaving the 4” opening on the lining side), press the bag with the seams stacked on top of each other, so the seam allowances are open. See the photo, as this explanation is clearer with some illustration.

As shown in the photo, sew along the short side of the fabric catching only one side at a time.  You can sew over the zipper; the needle will just find its way between the teeth. That’s right, you can sew right over a nylon zipper. Don’t be a speed demon, take your time. There will be 4 seams to sew.

Pull each corner of the bag into a little triangle, as show in the photo. Draw a line approximately 2” from the point. This will create your boxed corners.

Sew along the line on each corner. There will be 8 corners to sew over, 4 on each side of the pouch.

Trim the corners about ¼” from the seam to reduce bulk.

Turn the bag right side out through the 4” opening on the long side of the lining.

Sew closed the opening in the lining and tuck the lining back into the bag.

Voila! You have an awesome new pouch.

Notes:

    If you have a directional print or pattern, the grain line should run across the long side of the panels.
    The interfacing is used to give the box some shape; if you use heavy fabric like canvas you may not need to use it.
    You can change the dimensions of this bag any way you like. Just make sure the zipper is long enough to cover one side of the pouch. I made another pouch in a square shape and it was absolutely adorable.
    Enjoy your new bag.