How to Make a Box Zipper Pouch with Handles

This box zipper pouch with handles is a terrific little sewing project to take for travel or store items at home. It is a simple sewing project that anyone with basic sewing skills can make. Although this project has a zipper it is a simple install.This is another great project from Sewing Times over at YouTube that I have translated for you here. This sewing project is a fun and functional one. I always enjoy making zipper pouches and I particularly liked making this one.It was a very quick pouch to make so I urge you to give this one a try.

I chose a bright stained glass cotton fabric for my outer fabric and a bright green Kona cotton for my lining that I purchased from JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores but I encourage you to try Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com or OnlineFabricStore.net for some fantastic fabrics for this project.  With all of these online options you will find the perfect fabric for your project.  This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  

What you will Need: How to Make a Box Zipper Pouch WIth Handles

• 1/2 yd outer and lining fabric
• 1/2 yd Pellon TP971F
• 1 8″ zipper
• Standard sewing supplies

Step 1: Cut Your Fabrics

Cut a series of two rectangles that measure:

• 8 1/2″ x 1 7/8″ — outer fabric
• 11 1/2″ x 6″ — outer fabric
• 8″ x  3 1/4″ — outer fabric
• 2″ x 2″ — outer fabric
• 11 1/2″ x 7 3/8″ — lining fabric 
• 11″ x 6 7/8″ Pellon TP971F

 

STEP 1: CREATE THE HANDLES

Take the 8″ x 3 1/4 pieces of fabric and fold the long raw edges to the center and press.  Fold in half again to enclose the raw edges.  Top stitch on both sides of the strap piece to secure.  

STEP 2: Add the handles

Take the 11 1/2″ x 6″ pieces of outer fabric and find the center by folding in half.  Mark the center point.  Measure 2″ on each side and make a mark.  Place the handles on the inside of the marks that you made so that they are facing down and pin.  Stitch the handles to the outer fabric.

STEP 3: Add the placket

Take the 8 1/2″ x 1 7/8″ piece and find the center by folding in half.  Place it right sides together with the outer bag on top of the handles matching the center points.  Stitch the placket to the bag using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press the seam open.   You will notice that the seam stays folded on the bag past the placket.  Clip the seam where the placket ends and press the bag piece up toward the placket so that it is even and no longer folded.  

STEP 4: Fuse the Fleece

Before fusing the fleece to the outer fabric, cut 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ squares from each corner of the fleece pieces, the bottom outer fabric pieces and the four corner lining pieces.  Fuse the fleece to the outer fabric pieces following the manufacturers instructions.  

STEP 5: Add the Zipper

Place a lining piece right side up on your work surface.  Lay the zipper right side up on top of the lining.  Place the outer fabric piece on top of the zipper wrong side down.  Make sure that you are placing the top part with the handles on top of the zipper.  Pin the zipper in place.  Stitch the zipper to the outer and lining pieces. Turn right sides out and repeat the process using the other pieces. Turn right sides out.  Press.  Top stitch on both sides of the zipper.    

STEP 6: Add the Tabs

Take the 2″ x 2″ piece and fold the raw edges to the center and press.  Fold in half to conceal the raw edges then fold in half the other way.  Clip the tabs to the ends of the zipper and stitch.  Make sure not to stitch through the lining.  Unzip the zipper part way.

STEP 7: Stitch the bag

Place the bag so that the lining pieces are right sides together and the outer pieces are right sides together.  Stitch the sides  and the bottoms of the bag outer and lining pieces using a 1/4: seam allowance.  Leave a 3″-4″ opening in the lining for turning the bag in a later step.  

STEP 8: Box the corners

Box the corners.  To do this, take the open corners and match the side seam and the bottom seam and clip. This will create a straight line. Stitch the line using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Repeat for all four corners.  

STEP 9: close the centers

You will notice that the center of the bag is open.  Take the side seam and pinch it together with the top like you did when you boxed the corners and clip.  Do the same for the corresponding lining piece and clip the two together,  Repeat for the other side of the bag.  Stitch the lining and the outer piece together at this point using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  

STEP 10: Finish the bag

Reach into the bag through the opening you left in the lining and and unzip the zipper. Turn the bag right sides out through the opening in the lining and the zipper. Close the opening in the lining using ladder stitch or your machine. Push the lining into the bag and you are finished.    

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