Anyone else quilting during this quarantine time? I’m finding small projects especially satisfying, since I can finish them relatively quickly. To share that love with all of you, I have a scrappy zipper pouch tutorial today! You can make this scrappy zipper pouch by digging into your scrap basket. Best of all, if you have an Accuquilt system, cutting all those little squares takes no time at all!
Prefer to watch it? View the entire step-by-step tutorial in video format below, or scroll down for the photo and text.
What You Need:
- Variety of scraps, at least 2.5″ square (exterior panels)
- (1) 9″ zipper
- (2) 9.5″ x 11.5″ batting pieces
- (2) 8.5″ x 10.5″ fabric pieces (lining)
- (1) 2″ square fabric piece (zipper tab)
- (1) 3″ length of 1″ twill tape (optional)
The How To:
Cut (40) 2.5″ squares for the exterior panels of the scrappy zipper pouch
1. I did this using my Accuquilt and it took just minutes! First, grab all your scraps.
2. I used Die #2 that comes in the 8″ Qube. It is the 4-at-a-time 2.5″ square die. Lay out your scraps on top of the die. Your scraps might not cover all 4, and that’s okay. Just make sure that nowhere has more than 6 layers of fabric stacked.
3. Cover with mat, and run the die through your Accuquilt. Pull off resulting 2.5″ squares and discard scraps. Repeat until you have a total of 40 squares.
4. I even strategically placed some of my scraps on the die to fussy cut them. It was so easy to fussy cut this way!
Make the Scrappy Zipper Pouch:
1. Arrange your squares into a rectangle that’s 5 squares across and 4 squares down. It will use 20 squares. Repeat for the remaining 20 squares.
2. Sew squares together into a panel. Your panel should measure 10.5″ x 8.5″. Baste to one piece of batting and quilt as desired. Repeat for second panel. Trim panels to 10.5″ x 8.5″.
3. OPTIONAL: Add the twill tape, folded in half, about 1.5″ down from the top of one of the panels. Position so that it overhangs from the panel and baste in place with 1/8″ seam allowance.
4. Prep your zipper: Fold back the top two edges of the zipper tape at an angle and add a few basting stitches to keep it in place.
Fold the 2″ square in half, then fold both edges in to the center to create the zipper tab. Your piece should now measure 2″ x 0.5″. Position the fabric over the zipper tape at the bottom of the zipper and sew in place. Trim even with zipper tape.
5. Align the zipper so that it is centered at the top of one exterior panel, with right sides together. Baste in place with 1/8″ seam allowance. (A zipper foot is highly recommended here).
6. Add one lining piece to the top of the zipper so that it is right sides together with the exterior panel, and stitch down with 1/4″ seam allowance. (A zipper foot is highly recommended here).
7. Press both the exterior panel and the lining away from the zipper and topstitch.
8. Repeat steps 5-7 for the second panel and lining piece and the other side of the zipper.
9. Unzip your zipper. Then place both exterior panels right sides together and both lining pieces right sides together. Pin or clip in place. Sew all the way around the pouch, leaving a 4″ opening at the bottom of the lining.
10. Turn bag right side out through the opening.
11. Press the seam allowance in the opening and stitch shut.
12. Stuff the lining into your bag and give the entire thing a good press! Now it is ready to fill with all sorts of goodies! Hooray!
when I was young, my grandmother reached me how to sew clothes but after some time I forgot. In the quarantine, I got a chance to learn sewing again. I was trying to make a zipper and came to your blog. This blog really helped me making my patchwork zipper, thanks a lot.
I’m so glad I could help Dione! You’ll find it is like riding a bike, it will all come back fast 🙂