Make a Rainbow Zipper Pouch with me!
The stripes on this simple Rainbow Zipper Pouch are made using a "quilt-as-you-go" technique with the interfacing as the foundation piece. It is a great way to use up some scraps. The finished pouch size is about 4 1/2” x 8” and will hold plenty of golden nuggets.
First you need to gather your supplies. I made 2 different pouches to show how different materials yield a different look. This might help you as you are picking your own fabrics and such.
The solid colored rainbow pouch is interfaced with felt and has a #3 nylon coil zipper. The floral rainbow pouch is interfaced with cotton quilt batting and has wider handbag zipper with large nylon coil.
Sadly I flipped the front of the floral one and my rainbow order is backward (ugh! but still cute). I also omitted the little tag on the side. The felt interfacing of the solid colored pouch makes it stiffer and hold it's shape better than the cotton batting. Hope that helps!
How to make a Rainbow Zipper Pouch
You'll need:
- fabric scraps for the rainbow, pouch back and front corners, lining
- cotton batting or felt for the interfacing.
- a zipper measuring 9" or longer
- glue stick (optional)
- ribbon or twill tape for side tag (optional)
Cutting:
- Cut 6 strips 2 1/2'' x 8'', one from each color of the rainbow
- Cut 1 rectangle 3 1/2'' x 4'' for the front corner fabric
- Cut 1 rectangle 5'' x 8 1/2'' for the pouch back fabric
- Cut 2 rectangles 5'' x 8 1/2'' for the lining fabric
- Cut 2 rectangles 5'' x 8 1/2'' from the cotton batting or felt for the interfacing
- Cut 1 strip 2'of ribbon or twill tape for the side tag (optional)
Let's get Sewing!
1. Take the small rectangle of front corner fabric and cut it in half diagonally, from corner to corner.
2. Construct the pouch front using one rectangle of interfacing for the foundation. Make a mark along the top edge of the rectangle at 2 3/4'' from the top left corner. Make another mark on the left edge at 3 1/2'' from the top left corner. Connect these 2 marks to make a diagonal line using a marker or pencil.
3. Lay one corner triangle along the drawn line with the right side of the fabric facing up.
4. Lay a red strip along the same line with the right side of the fabric facing down.
5. Stitch along this line using a 1/4'' seam allowance.
6. Fold the red strip over and press the seam to make it lay flat. If you are using felt, avoid putting to iron onto the felt directly if it is hot.
7. With the right side up, take the orange strip and align it next to the red strip so that it will cover the interfacing when it is pressed open. Flip it over with right side facing down and align it with the raw edge of the red strip.
8. Stitch the two strips together on top of the interfacing using a 1/4''seam allowance and press it open.
9. Continue this process of sewing, folding, and pressing until all of the colors are pieced. Just remember to check each strip before you sew to make sure it will cover the interfacing when folded open. Add the corner in the same fashion.
10. Turn the front piece over with the interfacing up and stitch around the interfacing close to the edge to baste the fabric edges in place.
11. Trim the excess fabric from around the rectangle using a rotary cutter.
12.Lay the pouch front right side up with the red stripe to the left (I forgot to check this and the rainbow order is backward in the photos). Center the zipper, with the teeth facing down, along the top of the pouch front with the open end on the left side. My zipper happens just the right length, if you have a 9'' zipper yours will be longer and will hang over the ends. That will make it easier, trust me. Use a glue stick to hold the zipper in place if you have one. Press firmly and allow the glue to grab.
13. Unzip the zipper and fold the free end upward at a right angle so that the zipper teeth are about 1/2'' from the corner. Use a pin or a binding clip to hold it in place.
14. Place a lining piece, face down, over the zipper and pouch front. Make sure the both rectangles line up. Pin in place. You created a little zipper sandwich.
15. Change the foot on the sewing machine to a zipper foot. Unzip the zipper all the way if possible to get the zipper slide out of the way. Stitch along the zipper about 1/4''-3/8'' inch away from top edge. Move the zipper slide as you sew if necessary by leaving the needle down while you make adjustments. (You won't see a zipper slide in my photos because I added it at the end)
16. Press the lining away from the zipper.
17. Topstitch along the pressed edge about 1/8'' away from the seam line.
18. Fold the pouch front away from the zipper and press.
19. Place the other rectangle of interfacing on the table, Lay the pouch back rectangle on top of the interfacing with the right side up. Center the other half of the zipper, teeth up, along the top of the pouch back, gluing in place. This time the free end of the zipper will be on the right corner. Repeat steps 13-19. Sew and press.
20. If adding a side tag, fold the ribbon half and position it 1'' down from the left top corner on the front pouch matching the raw edges. Pin or baste in place.
21. With right sides together match the lining pieces and exterior pieces. Make sure the zipper seams line up. Pin around the exterior. Starting at the bottom of the lining stitch around the perimeter with a 3/8'' seam allowance. Leave about a 2 1/2'' opening in the lining for turning.
22. Trim off the corners of the exterior side
23. Turn the pouch right side out. Push out the seams and corners and press it flat.
24. Tuck in the raw edges of the lining fabric and press the opening. Sew the opening closed.
You made a rainbow zipper pouch!! Take a minute to give yourself a big high five!
Connect with me on Facebook or Instagram and let me know if you enjoyed this sewing tutorial. If you make a Rainbow Zipper Pouch I'd love to see it!! Tag me @bluesusanmakes! and use the hashtags #rainbowzipperpouch #bluesusanmakes.
Happy Sewing
More zipper pouch tutorials you may like...
DIY Diaper Bag - just a big zipper pouch!
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