How to Sew a Lined Zipper Pouch in 30 Minutes (Free Pattern)

Hi, I'm Nora. If you have ever stared at a zipper and decided to do something easier, this post is for you. A lined zipper pouch is the project I hand to every new sewer, because it teaches the one skill that unlocks bags, cases and wallets, and it takes about half an hour start to finish.

You need two fat quarters, one 7 inch zipper and an ordinary sewing machine with a zipper foot. That is it. I made mine in red gingham with a cream lining, and it has been living in my purse holding lip balm, a pen and a few hair ties ever since.

Why this project is a good first zipper

The lining is sewn in at the same time as the zipper, so you never have to hand finish anything except one small gap. The pouch is only 8 inches wide, so mistakes are cheap, and the seams are all straight. I have made at least a dozen, and I still enjoy the moment you turn it right side out and the zipper just works.

Skill level: beginner. Time: about 30 minutes. Finished size: about 8 inches wide and 5.75 inches tall.

What you need

• 1 fat quarter of gingham or quilting cotton for the outside
• 1 fat quarter of coordinating cotton for the lining
• 1 nylon coil zipper, 7 inches long
• All purpose thread and a zipper foot
• Rotary cutter, ruler and mat, or sharp fabric scissors
• Wonder clips or pins, and an iron

The tutorial, condensed

1. Cut. Cut two 9 x 6.5 inch rectangles from each fat quarter (outer and lining) and two 2 x 2 inch squares for zipper tabs. Seam allowance is 1/2 inch, except where noted.

2. Add tabs. Sew a tab to each end of the zipper with a 1/4 inch seam, flip the tabs out, press, and trim the whole zipper unit to exactly 9 inches.

3. Sandwich. Lay an outer panel right side up, the zipper face down along the top edge, and a lining panel right side down on top. Stitch 1/4 inch from the edge with the zipper foot. Flip and press with a dry, low iron, then topstitch 1/8 inch from the fold.

4. Repeat on the other side. Open the zipper halfway. This is the step everyone forgets, and without it you cannot turn the pouch out.

5. Sew around. Put the outers right sides together and the linings right sides together with the zipper tape pressed toward the lining. Sew all the way around with a 1/2 inch seam, leaving a 4 inch gap in the bottom of the lining.

6. Turn and finish. Trim the corners, pull everything through the gap and the zipper, edgestitch the gap closed, tuck the lining in and press.

Mistakes to avoid

Press, do not iron hard, around nylon zippers. If your machine skips near the pull, stop with the needle down, lift the foot and slide the zipper pull past the needle. Cut the lining the same size as the outer so everything lines up at the corners.

Get the free pattern

The tutorial above is the quick version. The full free PDF has the cutting diagram drawn to scale, a materials page, nine numbered steps with a line drawing for each one, and troubleshooting tips, all on 8 printable letter pages. Enter your email below and I will send it right over.

Ready for a bigger project?

Once you have a pouch under your belt, a lined tote is the natural next step: same boxed corners idea, same straight seams, much more room for groceries and library books.