Learn to Sew a Zippered Box Pouch with Pockets

 

I love to sew a zippered box pouch with pockets. They store so many things and make a perfect dopp kit or makeup bat or pencil case.  They are easy to make and fun too.  This particular zippered box pouch has pockets on the inside and on the outside.  The pockets make it even more functional. Zipper pouches are one of my favorite things to make and this one is no different.  I really think you should give this one a try.  It is a strong beginner to intermediate sewing project.  But, it can be made in no time.   

I chose some cotton Mickey Mouse fabric that I bought from Fabric.com ages ago and some cotton plaid and polka dot cotton I purchased from JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores for this project.  Of course you could head to Hobby Lobby or onlinefabricstore.net to get exactly what you need for your zippered box pouch. 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: Learn to Sew a Zippered Box Pouch with Pockets

• 1/2 yd exterior lining fabric
• 1/2 yd fusible fleece like Pellon TP971F
• 1/4 yd for outer pocket 
• 8 1/4″ zipper
• 14 1/8″ zipper

Step 1: cut your Fabrics

• one piece of outer and lining fabric that measure 14 1/8″ x 17″ and one fleece piece that measures 13 3/8″ x 16 1/8″.  
• one accent piece that measures 9″ x 9″
• three lining pieces that measure 9″ x 9″
• one fleece piece that measures 9″ x 4″
• two outer pieces and two lining pieces that measure 1 /2″ x 1 1/8″ for zipper tabs
• one outer piece that measures 6 3/8″ x 3 1/3″

Step 2: Create outer pocket

Take the fleece piece that measures 9″ x 4″ and trim off 5/8″ from the long edge. Fuse the small piece you just measured to one end of the 9″ x 9″ accent piece and the larger fleece piece to the bottom of the outer piece as shown following the manufacturers instructions.    

Step 3: add the small zipper

Add the zipper tabs to the ends of the zipper sandwiching the zipper between one outer tab and one lining tab. Stitch the tabs.  Open the tabs and top stitch along the seam.  Find the center of the zipper and mark.  Then find the center of the 9″ x 9″ outer piece and mark. Lineup the zipper and the outer piece and pin the zipper right sides down on the outer piece.  Place a corresponding lining piece right sides down on the zipper making a zipper sandwich. Stitch the zipper using a zipper foot. Top stitch along the zipper. Fold up the bottom of the outer fabric and the lining fabric to meet the top of the zipper and clip. Stitch to the zipper.  Turn right sides out and topstitch the zipper carefully.  This is a bit fidgety but can be done.  Press the pouch.  Topstitch along the top fold.  

Step 4: add the outer pocket

Take the 14 1/8″ x 17″ outer fabric and fuse the corresponding fleece piece following the manufacturer’s instructions.  Measure down 2 3/4″ from one fat short edges and centered and place the pocket piece you just created. Stitch along the sides and bottom to secure.

Step 5: create the inner pockets

Take the remaining 9″ x 9″ lining pieces and fold them in half right sides together and press.  Stitch along the sides and bottom leaving an opening in the bottom for turning.  Clip the corners and turn right sides out and press.  

Step 6: add the inner pockets

Take the14 1/8″ x 17″ lining piece and find the center.  Place one of the pocket pieces you just created 2 3/4″ from one short edge and centered.  Stitch along the sides, bottom and down the center.  Repeat on the other short end with the other pocket piece.

Step 6: Create the Handle

Take the 6 3/8″ x 3 1/3″ outer piece and fold the long raw edges to the center and press.Fold in half to enclose the raw edges and press again.  Topstitch along both long edges.

Step 7: Add the long zipper

Place the main outer piece right sides up on your work surface and the zipper wrong sides down on the outer piece at pocket end of the piece.  Place the lining piece right sides down on top of the zipper.  Stitch the zipper using a zipper foot.  Turn the zipper right sides out and topstitch along the zipper.  Fold up the bottom of the outer piece and the lining piece to create another zipper sandwich.  Stitch the zipper toward the center leaving an opening in the center then stitching the end.

Step 8: Create the pouch

Place the lining pieces together and the outer pieces together. Line up both sides as shown. Stitch the short edges through all layers.  

Step 9: Box the corners and add the handle

Draw boxes at each corner that measure 2 1/2″ x 2 1/8″ and cut them out.  Add the handle.  Place one end of the handle in the bottom one of the hole’s you created and pinch the sides together and clip.  Reach in the other side of the outer fabric hole and grab the the other end of the handle.  Pinch between the sides and clip.  Find the corresponding lining piece and clip along with the outer pieces you just clipped and stitch through all layers as shown.  Repeat for the other end of the pouch but without the handle.  

Step 10: finish the pouch

Turn the pouch right sides out through the opening in the zipper.  Hand stitch the zipper opening closed using ladder stitch.  Topstitch the zipper.  You have now finished your zippered box pouch with pockets

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