Learn How to Sew a Zipper Pouch with a Flat Bottom
This free zipper pouch pattern with a flat bottom (sometimes referred to as a gusset), is a part of my “learn to sew series.” A series of simple sewing projects aimed at helping you learn how to sew or improve your sewing skills! These zippered pouches are my “go-to” handmade gift and were one of the very first bags I learned how to sew. They stitch up quickly and are a great way to use up fabric scraps!
I’ve made A LOT of zippered bags over the years. I love that the pattern is pretty simple and can easily be modified or customized depending on what you want to use the bag for!
You can stitch it out of laminate fabrics to make a cosmetic bag, make it small enough to hold chapstick, or large enough to hold a hairbrush! It’s up to you.
Before you begin, here are a few sewing tips
- You can make this bag in ANY size that you want. Just make sure that your zipper is longer than the width of your fabric. Customize and resize away! This bag is about 9″ x 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″
- You need to use a polyester zipper for this technique. Do not use a metal zipper (that’s another tutorial)
- You can use a zipper that is longer than you need; you will just cut it to size during construction.
- Take the time to make sure your interfacing is the same size as your fabric pieces; extra bits of interfacing hanging over the edge of the fabric may throw you off as you’re sewing.
- All seam allowances are 1/2″, except the zipper seam allowance, it’s 1/4″
(this post has been updated from an earlier version)
New! Video Tutorial
I filmed a video teaching you how to make this pouch. You can find it saved on my Instagram Stories highlight bubble. Just look for the one that says “Bag Sew Along.”
You can also find the video on my YouTube channel.
Printable Version
If you prefer a printable version of this sewing pattern. You can purchase one in our shop.
The printable version shows you how to make the zip bag with a flat bottom shown in this article, and a simpler zip pouch that lies flat.
Gusseted Zip Pouch Sewing Supplies Required
The fabric shown is from the Derby Day Line by Riley Blake Designs
- 1 Fat Quarter of Fabric for Bag Outside
- 1 Fat Quarter of Fabric for Bag Lining
- 1/2 yard Pellon Shape Flex Interfacing
- 1/2 yard Pellon Fusible Fleece Interfacing
- 10″ or longer polyester zipper
- Basic Sewing Supplies
Cutting Directions
- From Pouch Outside Fabric Cut:
- 2 pieces, each 8″ x 10″
- From Pouch Lining Fabric Cut:
- 2 pieces, each 8″ x 10″
- From Shape Flex Cut:
- 2 pieces, each 8″ x 10″
- From Fusible Fleece Cut:
- 2 pieces, each 8″ x 10″
Construction Steps
Gusseted Zip Pouch Sewing Pattern
Equipment
supplies
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric For Pouch Outisde
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric For Pouch Lining
- 1 package Fusible Fleece
- 1 package Shape Flex Interfacing
- 1 polyester Zipper 10" or longer
Instructions
Cutting Steps
- From Pouch Outside Fabric Cut: 2 pieces each 8″ x 10″
- From Pouch Lining Fabric Cut: 2 pieces each 8″ x 10″
- From Shape Flex Cut: 2 pieces each 8″ x 10″
- From Fusible Fleece Cut: 2 pieces each 8″ x 10″
Step One: Apply Interfacing
- Iron the Shape Flex interfacing onto the wrong side of the pouch’s outside pieces.
- Iron the Fusible Fleece interfacing to the wrong side of the pouch lining pieces.
- Cut a 1″ x 1″ square out of the bottom corners of all fabric pieces.
Step Two: Sew the Zipper
- Pin the right side of the pouch outside front piece to the right side of the zipper; the right side of the zipper will be facing the right side of the zipper.
- Pin the right side of one of the lining pieces to the wrong side of the zipper. Using a zipper foot, stitch.
- Repeat for the other side of the zipper.
- Press the fabric away from the zipper and top stitch along both sides of the zipper. I like to use a longer stitch length (like 3.5 when I’m topstitching).
- Next, unzip the zipper ¾ of the way.
Step Three: Assemble the Pouch
- Pin the two zip pouch outside pieces right sides together and the two lining pieces right sides together. Fold the seam allowance of the zipper towards the lining pieces.
- Stitch with ½″ seam allowance, skipping the corners. Leave a 2″ opening in the center of the lining pieces so that you can turn the pouch right side out.
Step Four: Create the Gusset
- Next, pinch the corners (where the squares are cut out) so that the raw edges are even and the seams are lined up on top of each other. Stitch in place with ½″ seam allowance. Repeat for all four corners.
- Cut off the extra zipper (do this ONLY if you bought a polyester zipper, don’t do this for a metal zipper).
- Turn zip pouch right side out.
Finishing
- Using a hera tool or other “pointy object” (not your scissors, they may poke thru the fabric), push the corners of the bags out until they are crisp.
- Using your iron and lots of steam, press the zip pouch well, don’t skip this step, it will be one of the things that give you a nice smooth finish on your bag.
- Stitch (by hand or machine it’s up to you) the opening in the lining closed.
If you’d like more ideas for Zip Pouches to Sew, then check out some of these other tutorials!
Seersucker and Leather Zippered Clutch
Embellished Zip Pouch Tutorial
40+ FREE Zip Pouch Sewing Tutorials
Great tutorial, Melissa!! I don’t usually use interfacing on my pouches, I’ll have to give it a try!
Hi Melissa! Thank you for this tutorial. Question, The first time you talk about pining fabric to the zipper you say, “the right side of the zipper will be facing the right side of the zipper.” I’m new to this sewing thing so could you explain what you mean? Thank you so much!
It should say right side of the zipper should be facing the right side of the fabric. sorry
Hi Melissa, love your zipper pouch tutorial. I’m wondering if you could advise the best way to press a pouch with a base on completion as I always find it difficult to avoid press ‘ lines’ forming in the base area ( if that makes sense!) thankyou, Judy
I tried doing this as my first sewing project! Everything went great, but at the end I had to make my two inch hole in the outsides piece instead of the linings piece. Where did I go wrong?
Could you add a 14 gauge vinyl layer on top of lining to make pouch more waterproof?
Honestly, I don’t know I’ve never tried it.
Hi there! I love this idea and tried to make it yesterday. I did fairly well until I got to the corner pieces. Could you please give further details on how to pinch and sew up the corners? I did my best guestimation and ended up with a zippered pouch that did not have a flat bottom (it was more like a large, flat pencil pouch). Thanks!
Hi. This will be my first pouch. Before I start, I have a question about the 2″ opening. Is this where we turn the bag right side out? It’s not done through the zipper opening? Thank you. I just started sewing.
yes, you turn it right side out through the hole in the lining. not through the zipper
I think there is small mistake in the instructions?
For the zipper, do you meant that it should face the back side of the fabric?
the bag looks very nice! thank you!
No,
The instructions are correct. You pin the right side of the zipper to the right side of the fabric.
Can you use fusible interface for both parts or does one have to be fusible fleece? Fusible fleece is not available in my local stores but I can get fusible interfacing. Thank you so much!
You could use interfacing for both. It just won’t be as thick when it’s done.
Hi and thanks for making written AND video instructions. My question is how do I change the cutting of the boxed corners to make the finished product into 9x6x2 inches? Will the starting rectangle be the same size? Thanks in advance for your help.
The math is not quite as straight forward as that. When you change the size of the boxed corners it also changes the width and height of the bag, since the pinched in corners take from the same piece of fabric.
Thanks for the tutorial. Could I cut one piece of outer and lining fabric and fold each in half to make the pouch (no bottom seam)?
For the outer yes, but not for the lining since you need a hole left in the seam allowance to turn the bag right side out.
When sewing around the outside edges, do I continue to use zipper foot or go back to the universal foot?
Either is fine. Whatever you think works best with your machine. I usually use my zipper foot.
the thing I appreciate most is a handmade gift because they show how much a person cares and love us. So I adore your sewing patterns for a zip pouch. the design is so cute, and for sure my bestfriend would love a pouch bag for her make up.
I’m excited to try sewing this pouch! Thank you for providing the instructions! I have a sizing question. I’m starting with an 8″ zipper (not a 10″ zipper), but I can see that it’s not as easy as subtracting 2″ from every measurement. Do you have any tips for sizing down from a 10″ to 8″ zipper? Thank you!
So just measure the length of the zipper (with the fabric around it) and cut your fabric that size. An 8″ zipper is the length of the part of the zipper that zips not the whole zipper – so just make your fabric the same width as the WHOLE zipper (not just the part that zips)
Thanks Melissa,
Just finished a tote to use as a gift and now I can make a coordinating pouch for inside.
Delightful
What a lucky recipient!!