Zipper Pencil Pouch Sewing Tutorial

I’ve teamed up with Michaels and the Michaels Makers to share this project with you today. All opinions are entirely my own.

Looking for a stylish way to keep pens and pencils organized? This DIY Zipper Pencil Pouch is a snap to make, and since any style or color of fabric can be used, you can make this fit your own unique personality! This pencil pouch requires just a small amount of fabric, which makes it a great project to make to use some of your stash of scraps, too! Continue reading for the complete step-by-step tutorial for how to make a DIY Zipper Pencil Pouch of your own! 

DIY Zipper Pencil Pouch Supplies

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(Note: All of my supplies seen here were purchased at Michaels)

• Fabric in 2 designs (Fat quarters or fabric scraps work perfectly here!)
• 7-inch zipper
• Coordinating thread
• Decorative charm
• Jewelry pliers

Aren’t these fabrics so whimsical and fun! Michaels has a great selection of fabric fat quarters and even some yard bundles of nice home dec fabric to help you make any number of fun projects!

Step 1

For each zipper pencil pouch, cut the following pieces:

• 2 pieces @ 8 x 3.25″ (these will be the upper panel on the outside of the pouch)
• 2 pieces @ 8 x 2.25″ (these will be the lower panels on the outside of the pouch)
• 2 pieces @ 8 x 5″ (these will be the lining pieces for the pouch)

NOTE: If you wish to make a pouch that contains a solid fabric design for the outside instead of the pieced panels as I have done here, cut 2 pieces at 8 x 5″ for the outside panels and then skip to step 3 of the tutorial.

Step 2

Place one of the outside upper panel pieces face up on a work surface. Place one of the outside lower panel pieces face down on the upper piece, lining up the top edge of the lower piece with the bottom edge of the top piece. Pin. Stitch along the pinned edge using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Press the seam open.

Top stitch 1/8″ above and below this seam for a polished look. Repeat these steps to assemble the remaining outer panel pieces.

Step 4

Place one of the inside lining pieces face up on a work surface. Align one of the long edges of the zipper with the top edge of the fabric piece, as shown.

Place one of the assembled outside panel pieces face down on the lining piece, aligning the top edge of the outside panel piece with the top edge of the lining/zipper.

Pin through all layers to secure. Using a zipper foot, stitch through all layers about 1/8″ away from edge of the zipper teeth.

Fold the outside panel down toward the lining so that the wrong sides of the outside and lining pieces are matching, as shown.

Step 5

Place the remaining lining piece face up on a work surface. Align the unstitched side of the zipper with the top edge of the lining piece, making sure the lining pieces have their right sides facing.

Place the remaining outside panel piece face down on top of all of the layers, aligning the top edge of the outer panel with the top edge of the zipper and bottom lining piece. Pin through all layers. Using a zipper foot, stitch through all layers approximately 1/8″ above the zipper teeth.

Step 6

Fold each of the outer panels down and away from the zipper so the wrong sides of each of the outer and lining pieces are matching and all edges are aligned. Press. Topstitch 1/8″ away from the edge of each seam.

Step 7

Unzip the zipper 2/3 of the way. Pinch the center seam together so that the zipper teeth are tucked inside the lining. Fold all of the pieces so the outer panels are right sides facing and the lining panels are right sides facing, making sure all of the outer edges and corners are aligned. Pin. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, stitch all the way around the pinned pieces, leaving a 3-inch opening along the bottom edge of the lining.

Clip each of the four corners of the piece.

Step 8

Turn the piece right side out through the opening in the lining. Press the piece flat.

Step 9

Pull the lining out of the piece, and stitch the opening closed. (You can also use a ladder stitch for this step for an invisible seam.)

Step 10

For a little decorative BLING, attach a coordinating charm to the zipper pull using the jewelry pliers.

Your zipper pencil pouch is now complete and ready to hold markers, pens, pencils, and just about anything else that suits your fancy!

From crystals to pom poms to tassels & patches, Michaels has everything you need to bling out Back To School!

Itching to do even more creating to get ready for the school year? Make sure you visit Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the rest of the Michaels Makers’ DIY projects!

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