Zippered pouches are one of my favorite projects. They're quick, easy, and the possibilities are endless! if you're new to zippers, don't be scared away. This is a perfect project to start with.
These quilted zips have so many uses, you'll want to make them over and over again. They have been my go to project for so many years now, which is why I thought it would be perfect for my first tutorial blog post. I hope you enjoy it!
MATERIALS
To make 5 quilted zips, you will need:
- 1/2 yard each of Whispers Double Gauze in Pathways in Dusk, Take Flight in Dusk, Trellis in Feather and XOXO in Feather
- 1/2 yard of muslin or solid cotton
- 1/2 yard of fusible fleece or batting
- Five 14" zippers - two in Dandelion, two in Kiwi, and one in Rosy Cheeks
- One spool of Aurifil 50wt thread in Dove 2600
You will also need:
- A rotary cutter
- A rotary cutting ruler
- Cutting Mat
- A fabric marking pen (something that disappears)
- Wonder Clips or pins
- A zipper foot and walking foot for the sewing machine
SIZES
6 inches wide by 4 inches tall - small - (I made one this size)
7 inches wide x 5 inches tall - medium - (I made two this size)
8.5 inches wide x 5 inches tall - long - (I made two this size)
PATTERN
Choose which sizes you want to make, which fabrics you want for the outer and lining, and which zippers you want to use for each pouch. The tutorial images will be for the smallest size pouch, but after you've cut your fabric, the steps are exactly the same for each size.
CUT
Small - cut two 6.5 x 4.5 inch pieces from the outer fabric, lining fabric, muslin and fusible fleece.
Medium - cut two 7.5 x 5.5 inch pieces from the outer fabric, lining fabric, muslin and fusible fleece.
Long - cut two 9 x 5.5 inch pieces from the outer fabric, lining fabric, muslin and fusible fleece.
QUILT
If you are using fusible fleece or fusible batting, you should now fuse this onto the wrong sides of the outer fabric pieces.
Using the fabric marking pen and rotary cutting ruler, mark diagonal lines on the two outer fabric pieces.
Continue to mark lines 1 inch apart, until both pieces are covered.
Next, layer one piece of muslin, one piece of batting batting, and one piece of the marked outer fabric. You will have a batting "sandwich" with the muslin on bottom, batting (or already fused outer pieces) in the middle, and outer fabric on top. Pin to keep layers in place. Repeat for second set of muslin, batting and marked outer fabric.
Using the walking foot on your sewing machine, stitch over the marked lines, through all layers of the "sandwich". I like to use a slightly longer stitch for this part. I set my stitch length to 3.2. I think its a nicer look, but this is, of course, just my personal preference.
Continue stitching until all the lines are quilted. Press each quilted piece.
ZIPPER
Place a lining piece right side up on the table. With the right side up, align the zipper tape with the top long edge of the lining. I find it works best to center the zipper, and we will trim the zipper ends later.
Next, place outer quilted piece right side down, aligning top edge with zipper and lining top edge. Zipper will be sandwiched between the lining and outer fabric. Clip or pin in place.
Using the zipper foot, stitch along top edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of this seam.
Press outer fabric and lining away from zipper. With wrong sides together, align bottom and side edges of outer and lining fabric. Press again.
Repeat these steps to attach the second outer fabric and lining to the opposite side of the zipper tape.
Topstitch along both finished edges, where the fabric meets the zipper, with a 1/8 inch seam allowance.
Open zipper half way, then trim zipper ends to match up with fabric edges.
SEW IT ALL TOGETHER
Keeping zipper open halfway, align outer fabric pieces right sides together, and lining pieces right sides together. Fold zipper teeth towards the lining on both ends. Clip or pin in place.
Stitch around edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a 2 1/2 inch gap in the lining bottom. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
Now turn the pouch right side out through the gap in the lining. Pull the lining out of the pouch.
Turn gap edges under 1/4 inch. Press seams, then stitch gap closed with a 1/8 inch seam allowance.
Stuff lining into pouch and smooth fabric out. Press well.
Add zipper pulls or wooden beads to spice it up, or keep them nice and simple. Enjoy your new quilted zip :)
