Have I mentioned how much I like making zippered pouches? They really are fun and easy to make. Not to mention the different ways they can be made.

If you haven’t read my previous zippered pouch tutorial you can find that here. If this is your first time making a zippered pouch I would suggest that you read it.

It contains useful tips and hints that will make putting this pouch together easier. Today I’m going to share with you how to create a cute flat bottom zippered pouch aka cosmetic/make-up bag.

Materials

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• 2 Fat quarters (coordinating colors)

• 7 in zipper (or zipper of any size)

• Interfacing

• Coordinating thread

• Scissors

• Clear Ruler

• Pins/Sewing Clips

• Zipper Foot

Optional Supplies

• Seam Ripper

• Rotary Cutter

• Self Healing Cutting Mat

Important Sewing Terms

• Zipper foot- type of presser foot that is used to attach zippers.
• Right Side (rs)- The pretty side of the fabric
• Wrong Side (wr)- The plain side of the fabric
• Top stitch- stitches placed on the right side of the fabric for decorative purposes
• Seam allowance- area between the fabric edge and the line you stitch
• Interfacing- used to make an area of a garment more rigid or give it body.

Tutorial

1.Prep Materials

Before you start sewing you will want to do the following things:

• Iron fabric to get out all of the wrinkles. Make sure you iron your fabric on the appropriate setting.
• Attach your zipper foot to your machine.
• Thread your bobbin with your coordinating thread colors and thread your machine. Change your needle if you have already used it a few times. If you are using thick fabric you may want to use a bigger needle. Check your manual to ensure you are using the proper size needle for the fabric you will be using. 

2. Cut Your Fabric

Cut  two 8.5 in x 7.5 in rectangles from your lining fabric, outer fabric, and your interfacing. You should have six rectangles (2 lining fabric pieces, 2 outer fabric pieces, and two interfacing pieces).

Tip: An easy way to save time on this step is to layer your pieces together and cut them all at once. If you have a rotary cutter set it makes cutting multiple layers of fabric easier and quicker.

 Tip: If you are using a different size zipper you will want to cut your fabric the same length as your zipper. If you brought a 9 in zipper add 1.5 inches to the length of your fabric.  The 9 inches doesn’t include the material at the end of the zipper. 

3. Attach Interfacing

Once you’ve cut out all of your pieces attach your interfacing to the wrong side of your outer fabric. Follow the directions that came with your interfacing.

I used clips to hold my fabric and interfacing in place until I could attach it to my fabric.

Note: If you are using a thick fabric you may not need to use interfacing. The interfacing is used to stiffen the fabric so that the pouch will hold it’s shape.

4.  Create A Zipper Sandwich

This is one of the most important steps of the process. Take your time and make sure everything is lined up correctly and facing the right direction. You can find detailed steps on creating a “zipper sandwich” here.

Now you have a zipper sandwich! Well at least one half of it. 🙂

5. Sew The Pieces Together

Place your zipper sandwich on your sewing machine and sew a straight line down the length of the zipper.  Make sure to remove the pin/clips as you sew. Cut your threads.

Tip: Before you get to the zipper pull. Place your needle in the fabric and unzip the zipper. Continue sewing.

6. Repeat Steps 4 & 5

At this point, you should have one side of the pouch attached to the zipper. You are going to repeat steps 4 and 5.

Your finished product should look like this:

7. Press Your Fabric

Press your fabric. Make sure that you are pressing away from the zipper on each side.

Note: If you are using a metal zipper be very careful because the teeth will get hot and burn you. 

8. Top Stitching

Take your fabric back to the machine and place a straight topstitch on each side of the zipper.

I usually line the edge of my zipper foot up with the top edge of the fabric.

9. Match Up The Sides

Fold the fabric so that the right sides of the inner and outer fabric are facing each other. Pin or clip the sides together.

Fold the ends of the zipper so that they are facing the lining of the fabric and pin/clip each side together.  Unzip the zipper halfway before clipping both ends together.

*All you should see at this point are the wrong sides of the fabric. 

10. Sew It Together

Starting at the top of the lining fabric using a .5 in seam allowance sew around the perimeter of the fabric.

You will need to leave a gap at the top of the lining fabric large enough to stick your hand through.  DO NOT  SEW CLOSED.

 Tips:

• go slow when you get to the zipper area you may need to use the hand wheel to sew through this area because it will be thicker than the rest of the fabric. You do not want to hit the metal part of the zipper. 
• Leave your needle in the fabric when you are turning the corners. 

11. Create The Bottom

Now we are going to create the bottom of your pouch. In each corner draw a .5 in square.
Note: You want to measure your squares inside the seam allowance.

*Tip #1- If you want a smaller or bigger bottom to your bag take the width that you want the bottom to be and divide in half. Use that number to determine what size your squares will be. (ex: 3 in bottom: 3/2=1.5 in square.

Once you have marked your corners trim off the excess fabric and cut out your corners.
Carefully fold and match the end of each corner together. Pin the corners in place and stitch closed.

Make sure you use the same seam allowance when you sew all of your corners or they won’t be even. Trim off any excess fabric.

If you would like to try another method of boxing the corners or need a visual aide there is an excellent video tutorial here.

*Tip #2- Before you sew your edges together make sure to line up the seams. This will keep your seams even all the way around your bag.

12. Time To Flip Out (The Fun Part)

Hopefully, you remembered to leave a hole in your lining fabric and you left part of the zipper unzipped.

Reach your hand into the hole of your lining fabric and pull the outer fabric through.

Viola! You have a cute little zippered pouch that will stand on its own. But before we can use it we have to do one more thing.

13. Sew the Lining Closed

Tuck the ends of the fabric in (the should do this naturally) and sew the hole closed.

14. Finishing Touches

• Using a pencil or another blunt object push out the corners of your bag.
• Zip the top closed and press your bag to give it that professional touch. 

Congratulations you have made your first flat bottomed zippered pouch! These are really easy to put together and make excellent gifts for kids and adults.

If you have any questions or need clarification please don’t hesitate to leave me a message in the comments area.

If you found this tutorial helpful please don’t forget to like and share it on social media.

Until next time,

The Crafty Afro