Happy Monday morning everyone!!!!! Our new blog layout is up, there were no catastrophic picture deletions and we are so grateful for that (oh, the crazy nightmares of bloggers) and this month we are excited to start our “What I Wish I’d Known When I Started Sewing” Series (tomorrow!).
And while we ar
e gearing up for that, we also get to participate in Crazy Little Projects Sew Crazy Monthly Challenge. Amber is hosting a new series about taking on some sewing challenges! And this month is all about learning a new sewing skill. There are several projects to choose from this month….and if you complete one of them and link it up to Amber’s blog, you will be entered in a giveaway for a brand new sewing machine and $100 to spend on new fabric! (Awesome, huh?)
e gearing up for that, we also get to participate in Crazy Little Projects Sew Crazy Monthly Challenge. Amber is hosting a new series about taking on some sewing challenges! And this month is all about learning a new sewing skill. There are several projects to choose from this month….and if you complete one of them and link it up to Amber’s blog, you will be entered in a giveaway for a brand new sewing machine and $100 to spend on new fabric! (Awesome, huh?)So, what new sewing technique did we choose? Two, actually. ZIPPERS (please don’t be scared) and pintucks, which are both techniques that once you do a couple of times, you will wonder why in the world you were scared of them.
And you will have a darling little zipper pouch to show off when you are done too!
I have really tried to make this tutorial for someone who has never sewn anything—so if that is you—-please give it a whirl. And don’t be alarmed that there are fourteen steps. I just wanted everything to be very clear….
Are you ready to get started? Here are the supplies you will need….
(Some people have had better luck if they cut the zipper tabs 1.5 inches by 2.5 inches….so you have plenty of overhang to get in the seams!)
Step 1: Fold one of your 1x 2 inch main fabric pieces to one end of your zipper.
Step 2: Repeat for the other side (you are going to need to unzip the zipper head a bit to get a good seam here).
Step 3: Taking your front piece, we are now going to add the pintucks. Measure 2 inches from the left hand side and press.
Step 4: Using a 1/4 inch seam, stitch down that pressed fold.
Step 5: Measure one half inch away and repeat 3 more times. *(Note: my bigger middle pleat is 1 inch)
Step 6: Square up your front piece to be 9 inches by 11 inches to match your back. This is what your front should now look like.
Step 7: Take your zipper (right side) and lay it on the front fabric piece. *ALWAYS with Right SIDES TOGETHER!
Step 8: Place your lining fabric piece over the top of your main fabric piece and zipper. (Right sides together). Stitch a 1/4 inch seam with your zipper foot. I like to stop in the middle and move my zipper head down (unzip) so I can get a straighter seam here.
Step 9: Flip your lining to the back of the front piece. This is what your project should look like now….
Step 10: Repeat for the back (the same sandwich—back fabric, zipper, lining on top—all right sides in and together)
Step 11: Now open your zipper up.
Step 12: Putting your main fabric pieces together (right sides) and your lining pieces, stitch around entire perimeter, leaving a 2 inch opening to turn your project.
Step 13: Clip all four corners, then turn your project right side out, poke out corners. Then handstitch (or machine stitch) your opening closed.
Step 14: Push your lining inside your main pouch fabric and you are done!
And once you make one, you will think of a hundred ways to make more. They make great last-minute gifts too….I am know to whip one up about 30 minutes before a Birthday party and then fill them with lots of things for girls of all ages!
I would love to see if you make one, leave us a link in the comments, so I can check them out….
~Elizabeth
That is a wonderful tutorial! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the tutorial. 🙂
I think my math is off this morning…4- 1/4″ pin tucks would take up 2″…11″ plus the 2″ is 13″, I’m not getting where the 15″ fits in. Going to just go sew and see how it comes out. LOL Maybe I just need more coffee. 🙂
I left the front a lot bigger than the backso that you can do as many pintucks as you wish and still have plenty of room …..you will have to trim your front down to the 9 by 11 inches to match the back after you pintuck.
Love this and the new blog look! Definitely need to make a zippered pouch now!
I have never put a zipper in. I think I am going to try this. Not sure how to link it up once I have completed it… (not sure if i need a blog or what) Yikes!!!
Ellen, You don’t have to have a blog to link it up. You can link it up through facebook or instagram or many other ways. Amber has all the details on her blog (www.crazylittleprojects.com) and be sure to enter the giveaway if you do link up (you get 10 extra entries for linking up a project!)
Wow! This is really exciting! Can’t wait to get started…
The pin tuck is 1/4″, so it takes up 1/2″ of fabric per tuck. I think that does make it add up. 🙂
Haha and my math is off…
so is mine most of the time 😉
~e
Zippers have scared me for years so this is definitely the challenge for me! Any advice on the type of zipper to buy — invisible, all-purpose, sport, etc. Does it matter? And any brands that you think are particularly good? Thanks! This is so fun!
This is the perfect starting zipper project! An all-purpose zipper is best for this project, but I am working on a “zipper” post and some videos to show all types of zippers for later this month that might help too.
Very good tutorial and really LOVE how your corners at the zipper ends are straight and flat – not one flat and the other sloping and rounded like you see in most tutorials for bags. Going to give it a try tomorrow and see if I can finally get a bag I like. Thank you.
Adorable little bag. I think I will make this tonight!
Your tutorial makes this bag feel so much less intimidating! Thank you!
I just made this bag. Could you double check on the measurement of the fabric on the zipper. One inch by two inches. Are you folding this in half? Or just turning it under, so you have the width to sew the front and back to. Otherwise this has been a GREAT first project from a NEW fan.
Thank you
I pick this for the sew crazy January challenge! I’m excited to get started, thanks for the Tutorial!!
I folded the two inch long piece in half so that I have 1 additional inch on each side of the zipper (9 inch zipper plus 2- 1 inch pieces to make it match the 11 inch front and back pieces).
You can just turn one end under as well……I say whatever floats your boat 😉
I think I’m going to do this for the January challenge…zippers are scary though!
I almost have this finished for the January challenge also. I ended up making the zipper tags bigger, 1×2 did not seem to fit for me either, otherwise love the tutorial:)
Just finished..love it. I will do again…. sewed zipper a little to close….and will shorten the lining seemed long and bunchy when turned right side out. Loved the pattern will make more soon!!!!
I was umm… over the end bits on the zip. To sew right then or not. From the pics below I see you do.
But then to sew on the top right side or to sew on the inside & fold over… lol Just nutting it out. Making sure to get the steps in.
Sometimes simple things like that that are made clear aren’t always clear to someone (me!)
Mandy,
It’s quite all right I am the same way! I think the only trick with sewing the zipper part is not not sew over the metal clasp part at the bottom or not too close to the top. If your needles gets that metal clasp it will break the needle…..but that’s the only tricky part!
I would love to see your finished project!
I love little easy projects because everything that takes to long, my little sister gets to and so ill give this a go
Love love love this project!! I’m stuck on the 1×2 pieces for the zipper. My zipper is 1″ wide so my fabric rectangles are the exact width of my zipper. It seems like your 1x2s have lots of overhange on each side of your zipper. Is your zipper less than 1′ wide? Thanks!!
Fab tutorial, thank you!! I am so pleased with my bag, although had a little trouble sewing it all around at the end as wasn’t sure which seams to keep on which side. My lining is a little bigger I think than the outer fabric but once something is in the bag, it doesn’t get in the way of the zip, which I’m not scared of anymore!!! Thanks again!
Trying to test through before I get started. Stuck on number 1! I don’t understand the wording. It says fold the pieces into the zipper. Do I sew them also? Where?
Jennifer,
I used a vintage zipper from my stash so it might have been not quite an inch…..you could cut those two pieces 1.5 inches by 2 inches and you would have overhang. Thanks for the tip!
In step #1: It looks like yes, you fold the pieces into the zipper then sew them in place. Look at the pic for Step #7 when the zipper comes back into play; you can seee that the little folds on the end have been stitched onto the zipper.
I actually fold the small pieces of fabric and sew them onto the top of the zipper sith the open ends toward the edges of the front piece. You can fold them over and sandwich it in between (but it’s a bit more more).
Hope that helps!
This looks like a great little project. I am new to both blogs, but have decided 2014 is the year I begin to sew again! Any suggestions as to what type of fabric works best for this?
Diane, I would recommend quilting cottons or broadcloth to start. They are easy to work with. Take your time to learn….but sewing is very rewarding! Good luck!
Thank you for this easy link! I just finished my first one and it took about 1 1/2 hours, (mainly cause it was my first time and had to figure things out!)
Of course, I made my outside of a fake leather material and it going to go inside my purse I’m finishing out of the same fabrics. Thanks, liz
My first time making pintucks & I felt like everything went smoothly. Thank you for the tutorial!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinemarissa/11997502773/
Ohhhhhh, I see how you did it! Thank you! I was over complicating it!
I am going to make this. It is such a cute little pouch and I love your tutorial.