Zipper Pencil Case Sewing Pattern
This quick, easy-to-make pencil bag is perfect for keeping your favorite pencils and pens handy, and it’s a great way to learn how to use a few of the feet discussed in this post. You’ll use fusible interfacing to give the bag body and will learn how to make a boxed corner so the bag can sit up by itself.
- Finished size: 8" × 4" (20.3 × 10.2 cm)
- Stitch type: Straight stitch
- Length: 2.5
- Width: 0
MATERIALS
- 1/4 yd (.23 m) fabric for the bag
- 1/4 yd (.23 m) lining fabric
- 1/4 yd (.23 m) fusible interfacing
- 9" (23 cm)-long zipper
- All-purpose thread
- Iron and ironing board
- Pins
- Fabric marker or chalk pencil to mark stitching lines
ACCESSORIES
Universal/zigzag foot
Zipper foot
CUTTING THE FABRIC
See cutting diagram on left.
Use the diagram to cut 2 pieces from the outside fabric, the lining, and the interfacing.
How to Make an Easy Zipper Pouch - How to Sew
Unless otherwise noted, all seam allowances are 1/2" (1.3 cm).
1. Set aside the lining pieces. Fuse the interfacing pieces onto the wrong side of the outside fabric pieces, following the manufacturer’s fusing instructions.
2. With right sides together, pin the zipper tape to one long edge of one of the bag pieces, edges aligned.
3. Install the zipper foot. Stitch the zipper in place with the edge of the zipper foot touching the left side of the zipper teeth (A).
4. Place a lining piece over the zipper, so all edges are aligned and the zipper tape is sandwiched between the bag and lining fabrics. Stitch directly over the previous stitching.
5. Press the fabric and the lining away from the zipper to enclose the stitching; the wrong sides of the fabric and lining will be together. Repeat with the remaining fabric, lining, and other side of the zipper (sometimes it is easier to do this with the zipper open) (B).
6. Close the zipper and fold the halves of the bag so that you can pin the fabric pieces with right sides together and also pin the lining pieces with right sides together.
7. Before stitching, partially open the zipper so you can reach in the bag to turn it right side out after stitching.
8. Sew all around the lining and bag, leaving an opening in lining, as shown (C).
9. Diagonally trim the corners of the bag and the lining (D).
10. Press the seams open.
11. To create the boxed corner, reach into each corner and align the bottom seam and the side seam together; pin. Stitch across each corner 1/2" (1.3 cm) from the point. Trim away the seam allowance (E).
12. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining.
13. Hand or machine stitch the opening closed.
