How to Make a Wide Open Zipper Pouch

You can never have too many wide open zipper pouches.  I use them for everything.  This one is particularly easy to put together and fun to make.  I like this pouch because it not only opens wide it stands up on its own so filling it is easy breezy.  I consider this a beginner sewing project even though there is a zipper involved.  The zipper install is super simple.  If you are a beginner sewist.  This is a great project to practice your zipper sewing skills.  These wide open zipper pouches make great gifts too.  Choose some fun fabrics to make this pouch truly your own.  

I chose some remnant fabric that I had in my stash for this project.  I purchased it at JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores at half price.  Of course you could head to fabric.com or onlinefabricstore.net if you like. 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.  

What You will Need: How to Make a Wide Open Zipper Pouch

• 1/2 yd outer fabric
• 1/2 yd lining fabric
• 10″ zipper
• 1/2 yd Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece
• Standard Sewing Supplies

Step 1: Cut Your Fabrics

• 1 Outer and Lining piece that measure 9 1/2″ x 15 5/8″.  
• 1 Outer piece that measures 2″ x 2 3/4″
• 2 Outer and lining pieces that measure 3 3/4″ x 6″
• 1 Outer piece that measures 3 1/2″ x 2 3/4″
• 1 Pellon 987F piece that measures 8 3/4″ x 14 7/8″
• 2 Pellon 987F piece that measures 3″ x 5 3/4

Step 2: Fuse the Fleece

Fuse the 8 3/4″ x 14 7/8″ piece of fleece to the outer fabric piece that measures 9 1/2″ x 15 5/8″.  

Step 3: Create the Zipper Tab

Take the 2″ x 2 3/4″ outer piece and create the zipper tab.  Do this by folding the raw edges in lengthwise by 3/8″ and press.  Place one short raw edge right sides together at the end of the zipper and stitch.  Fold the tab over the end of the zipper and foled under the short edges and press.  Stitch all the way around the tab to secure.  

Step 4: Mark the Zipper and Outer Fabric

Measure 3/8″ from the front end and mark.  From that mark measure 8″ and make another mark.  From the left of the outer fabric make the same marks.  

Step 5: Add the Zipper

Open the Zipper.  Place the zipper on the outer fabric piece right sides together matching the marks you just few.  Fold down the excess ears of the zipper and pin.  Pin the excess zipper out of the way.  Place the large lining piece right sides together with the outer piece sandwiching the zipper.   Stitch the three pieces together using a zipper foot.  Measure the bottom of the fabric the same way you measured the top but this time you will measure 3/8″ from the right then another 8″.  Fold the outer piece in half so that the other half of the zipper lines up with the bottom of the outer piece markings.  Fold down the ears and pin.  Pin the excess zipper out of the way and fold up the lining so that the sort edges meet.  Stitch the three layers together using a zipper foot.

Step 6: Stitch the Pouch  

Open the zipper as wide as it will go. Pin the outer side to the lining side on both sides right sides together.  One side will be easy and the other a little fidgety where the zipper pull is. Take it in sections until it is pinned together.  Stitch both sides.  Make sure the zipper is inside the bag.  Leave an opening on the easy side of the bag for turning.  Turn right sides out. Stitch the opening closed using ladder stitch.  

Step 7: Create the Sides

Take the remaining fleece pieces and measure 3/8″ from the bottom and the side  on each side of the piece.  Round the corners.  Measure 3/8″ from each side on the top. Draw a line from the top to the side markings on both sides.  Cut along the lines.  Fuse the fleece to the 3 3/4″ x 6″ pieces of outer fabric.  Line up the outer fabric with the corresponding lining fabric and cut along the fleece piece leaving a 3/8″ seam allowance.  

Step 8: Add the Lining to the Outer Side Piece

Place the Side outer piece and the side lining piece right sides together.  Stitch using a 3/8″ seam allowance leaving an opening on one side for turning.  Do this for both pieces.  Turn right sides out.  Close the opening using ladder stitch.  

Step 9: Add the Sides

Lay the pouch flat on your work surface so that the zipper is at the top.  Find the center of the bottom on each side and place a pin.  Measure down 1″ from the top and pin.  Place the sides so that the center of the bottom meets the center of the bottom of the pouch and clip.  Clip the top just under the pins.  Stitch the sides together with the pouch using ladder stitch.  

Step 10: Topstitch

Topstitch all around the top of the wide open pouch.  You have now finished your wide open pouch.  

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