How to Sew a Zipper Pouch: 50 Free Patterns for Every Skill Level
Learn how to sew a zipper bag! Here are 50 of my favorite free zipper pouch patterns so you can choose the perfect one. These free sewing tutorials have step-by-step instructions with pictures in an easy-to-understand teaching style. If the pattern requires a template, it’s included to download for free.
A zipper pouch is the perfect sewing project for beginners. You’ll learn many easy ways to sew a zipper and make a lined pouch that is great for holding change, earbuds, cosmetics, jewelry, your phone, and more.
These free sewing patterns are organized, for the most part, from easy to challenging. Because the instructions are so great, I think any sewist with little experience can successfully sew even the ones near the end of the list!
Tiny Zipper Bags from 5” Squares
This is the most simple zipper pouch tutorial on the web, and to make it even easier for you, you can use pre-cut 5” squares (charm squares)! If you want a fast and easy gift or pouch for yourself, check out the Tiny Zipper Bags tutorial right now. It’s perfect for scraps too!
Easy Zipper Pouches in 2 Sizes
The easy Zipper Pouch Pattern in 2 sizes is perfect for a beginner. I’ll show you how to use your sewing machine’s zipper foot in several ways. This lined zipper pouch with tabs is so customizable – you can even add machine embroidery to make it personalized. You can also use regular dressmaking zippers (1” wide) or larger handbag zippers (with a width of 1 1/4”).
Boxy Zipper Pouches
This Boxy Zipper Pouch Pattern is easy for beginners and just right for organizing supplies, cosmetics, or small things when traveling. Thrill any of your friends with this beautiful gift. It utilizes a foam stabilizer to make it sturdy and has two small exterior pockets. The finished size is approximately 6’’ wide, 4 1/2’’ tall, and 3” deep.
Pro tip: If you make many projects with zippers, you will love zippers by the yard. You can cut any size zipper you need, or a little bit larger than you need so you can cut away the excess zipper later.
Designer Zipper Bags
Normally, a quilted zipper bag with binding on the inside would not be something a beginner would try, but many sewists who are just starting have raved about the Designer Zipper Bag video sewing course. Not only is it free, but you’ll learn lots of sewing skills by watching videos like:
- How to quilt fabric and stabilizer together
- Choosing the best needle
- Putting on a zipper presser foot
- Binding the ends of zippers
- Lining up the edge of the zipper with your quilted fabric
- Binding your seams and more!
Double Sided Pouch
This fun and easy double-sided pouch was intended to hold face masks, but since no one likes them anymore, I’ve found more ways to use it. You will, too!
Ruffle Zipper Pouches
Learn how to make a fun and flirty zipper pouch with this amazing free tutorial from See Kate Sew. I love her creative take on just about every sewing project.
Lay Flat Zipper Bags for Travel
When not being used, these storage pouches lay flat and can be folded up very small. But don’t limit them to shoes. You can put almost anything in them, making them perfect for travel or gift-giving. This project has no side seams, and the top and bottom edges are finished with binding.
Don’t be afraid to make your own fabric binding featured in some of these tutorials! I’ll show you the easiest way to bind fabric edges and seams. It gives all your pouches and small bags a professional touch.
Necktie Zipper Pouch
It can be tricky thinking of gifts to sew for a man, but how about a zipper pouch sewn from a beloved tie? Make treasured gifts from grandpa’s old ties.
Car Visor Organizer
Add a few extra features to your bland zipper pouch, and you have a Car Visor Organizer!
Vinyl Zipper Pouches with Ribbon
Lots of people ask for see-through zipper bags for travel, and this Ribbon and Vinyl Zipper Pouch Pattern is the easist one.
If you are worried about sewing on the vinyl… don’t be! The tutorial contains a great technique for using tissue paper so the vinyl will move smoothly across your sewing machine bed. You might like these Tips for Sewing on Vinyl.
Bow Knot Pencil Pouches
How cute are these pencil pouches with a bow knot on top? I absolutely love the idea and wish I had thought of it first! Learn how to make bow knot pencil pouches from See Kate Sew.
Dumpling Shaped Vinyl Pouches
You’ll also love these dumpling-shaped pouches made with vinyl. They are great for guys or gals – everyone in the house wants one!
Big Vinyl and Fabric Pouch
Add straps and pockets to a large vinyl zipper pouch and get a bag perfect for taking to the airport! Check out this See-Through Tote.
Pro tip: It’s just fine to cut vinyl with your rotary cutter, plus it makes a nice straight edge.
Boxy Pencil Pouch Tutorial
Get kids ready for school (and your own desk organized) with this darling boxy pencil pouch pattern from Orange Bettie. This easy tutorial is perfect for beginners and only requires basic sewing supplies.
Drawstring Backpack with a Zippered Pocket
My kids are teenagers and young adults, but they still love the drawstring backpacks I make. This backpack with a zippered pocket is especially handy for travel.
Candy Zipper Pouches
Zipper pouches made from candy packages were popular before and are now in style again! Some preparation is necessary to make the candy package suitable for sewing, but after that it can make a sturdy pouch or small bag.
Travel Jewelry Organizer
Travel handmade with this beautiful jewelry organizer that you can sew with just 3 fat quarters!
Peek-a-Boo Pouches
The Peek-A-Boo Pouch is perfect for packing sewing supplies on the go or for a small first aid kit. Use cute lining fabrics because they will show, too!
Clever Circle Pouches
Erin’s free zipper pouch pattern is easy to sew and great for holding earbuds, cash, and change, earrings that I must take out because they hurt my ears, doggie bags when I take Lola for a walk, and all kinds of items! Don’t miss the tips I shared from my experience with this pattern.
Quilted iPad Case
Did you know you can sew your own padded iPad Case? This pattern is especially easy if you have already taken the free Designer Zipper Bag video course I linked to previously. In those videos, I show you how to bind the seam allowances (as you see in the picture) in great detail.
DIY Scarf with a Phone Pocket
What’s better than a cozy fleece scarf? A cozy fleece scarf with a cell phone pocket! This one has a money pocket, too, that is not see-through like the phone pocket.
Phone Case and Card Wallet
This zipper pouch is also a cardholder, phone pouch, and wallet! Don’t miss the DIY Phone Case and Wallet Pattern.
Yarn Project Bag
Take your crochet and knitting projects on the go with a Yarn Project Pouch (or bag)! If you don’t make yarn crafts, I bet you know someone who does.
Tiny Zipper Pouches You Can Sew with Scraps
You have so many options when sewing this DIY zippered coin purse. Make one with leftover fabrics and no extra hardware or fussy cut a cute motif from your fabric like this pink Tula Pink raccoon pouch.
Pro tips: I love all the new handbag zippers you can get on Amazon now with pretty zipper pulls! This pouch has fusible interfacing to help it hold that cute shape.
Long Pencil Pouches
The construction techniques on this Long Pencil Pouch Pattern are different than what you might have seen before. I streamlined the number of steps by fusing craft felt to the wrong side of the pretty cotton fabric to create a stable layer that would not need a lining.
You can also use cork fabric, vinyl, or marine vinyl instead of the outer fabric and skip the felt stabilizer.
Double Sided Zips
The Double-Sided Zip Pattern is a popular lined zipper pouch tutorial. You can use this pouch for so many purposes! The zipper tabs are perfect for attaching to a key chain. The seam allowances on this pouch are hidden inside the lining (not bound).
Pro tip: The topstitching on items like this helps keep the lining pieces from getting caught in the zipper teeth. Lengthen your sewing machine stitches for a pretty look.
Chapstick Holder
Cold, dry winters make your lips chapped! This cute chapstick holder helps keep lip balm handy all the time.
Pillbox Pouch
The Pillbox Pouch has a boxy and flat shape, but don’t let its 1” depth fool you… it can hold a lot of stuff! In this one, I stuffed a bunch of small Aurifil thread spools.
Christmas Stocking Zipper Pouch
Here’s a free sewing pattern to use up all those cute holiday scraps! This little Christmas stocking zipper pouch is just the right size for a handful of treats – plus, it makes a great gift card holder.
Best Zipper Pouch Patterns for Back to School or Work
This easy zipper pouch sewing pattern with a clip on the side has so many purposes that I’ll never be able to count them all. Clip one on a backpack with pencils and school supplies. Clip another to your bag to hold your phone. Then sew another to hold your hand-sewing kit while on road trips!
Zipper Pouch for a 3-Ring Binder
Sew up a cute pencil pouch that fits in a 3-ring binder. You can make one BETTER than the pencil pouches they sell in the store. You only need a little fabric, a zipper, and some leftover vinyl.
3-Ring Zipper Pouch with Grommets
Here, I’ll show you how to do a mash-up of the previous two patterns to make a 3-ring binder pencil pouch with grommets and mesh (or vinyl)!
Slide Down Pencil Pouch
Sew a Stand Up (and slide down) Pencil and Tool Pouch! This handy zipper pouch extends tall to hold pens, pencils, scissors, and other items. Then, when you need to use it, the top slides down for easy access.
Zola Pen Case
When the Zola Pen Case is unzipped, it opens all the way so you can see all your stuff! When it is zipped, it makes a cute little rectangular box. The end of the zipper snaps to the bottom of the case to make the handle. This pattern includes a free downloadable template.
Chubby Lunch Tote
Lunch will be more fun with the adorable Chubby Lunch Tote! The finished dimensions of this tote are approximately 7” tall (not including the handles), 8” wide, and 6” deep (front to back). It’s a great size to carry your lunch, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be a lunch bag. You can just as easily substitute fusible fleece for the insulated batting and use it as a small purse or zippered container.
Zipper Pouches that are Also a Purse!
This bigger Boxy Zipper Bag Pattern can be made with or without bag hardware. Add handles to make a purse or D-rings and a strap to make a cross-body bag.
Triple Zipper Bag
The Triple Zipper Bag has three zippers on the exterior, plus another zipper on a coin pocket inside. Of course, if you don’t want to use it like a bag, you can leave off the tabs and strap.
Easy Zipper Bag Using Fabric Strips
Sew a cute zipper bag using 2 1/2″ jelly roll strips! The size is perfect for carrying your phone and wallet. But I must admit that as soon as I had sewn the first one for myself, my 8-year-old daughter Cadie took it for herself! I had to make a couple more so every girl in the house could have one.
Sling Bag
Can you believe these are back in style again? Sew your own fanny pack (a.k.a. hip bag, sling bag, waist wallet, belt bag) with two zippered compartments using your favorite fabric and the same easy sewing techniques that I have used on my other patterns.
Clamshell Pouch
Do you want a beautiful bag or a fancy purse? This free Clamshell Bag Pattern helps you make both!
Tiny Tote
What happens when you add handles and pockets to a zipper pouch? You get the Tiny Zipper Bag! All your favorite fabric scraps are screaming to be sewn into a super cute tiny bag!
Organizing and Decorating Your Home
You’ll love this tutorial for a boxy pouch or cosmetic case that opens nice and wide for filling – and then you can snap down the cute corners!
Twice as Nice Zippered Organizer
Sew a double-sided pouch to help you organize your makeup, sewing and craft items, art supplies, travel necessities, and more! This zippered case has two angled compartments that hold more than they appear to. Plus, the inside of the pockets is sewn with vinyl, so you can easily see what’s inside.
Dumpling Style Zipper Pouch
Here’s another dumpling-style zipper pouch that’s the perfect size for sewing supplies, cosmetics, or pens and pencils. It has a flat bottom to help it stand up. The zipper ensures that your things are kept securely.
This pattern (like most of the free sewing patterns on this page) is fat quarter-friendly!
Fabric and Vinyl Project Bags
This zippered bag with a vinyl front is perfect for organizing your hand-sewing work, unfinished quilt blocks, or embroidery projects to take on the go. My quilted handle technique is new – you won’t see it elsewhere! Don’t miss the free Project Pouch Pattern.
Pretty Box Pouch
This Pretty Box Pouch is perfect for holding and organizing cosmetics, sewing supplies, jewelry, small toys, crayons, chocolate candies, and more!
I would rate this project ‘intermediate level’ for a sewist who is comfortable using the zipper foot on her/his machine and has hopefully applied binding before (the binding is probably the trickiest part).
Mesh Wash Bag
Bras and underwear last much longer if you put them in a mesh wash bag before the washing machine. Let me show you how easy it is to make one!
Bean Bag Toy Holder
The biggest zippered item in your home can hold stuffed animals and be used as a bean bag chair!
Sturdy Storage Tote
Another way to make a zipper pouch big enough for home storage is the DIY Sturdy Storage Tote. I keep towels and quilts inside these in my closet.
DIY Pool Chair Cover with Pocket Pouches
Sew a couple of pouches, add them to a pool towel, and you get a DIY Pool Chair Cover! This is one of my favorite projects because it is just so clever.
DIY Garment Bag
I had more ideas for this post, but I wasn’t sure if a really big project could still be called a pouch. Like a pretty DIY garment bag? Or a big, easy tote? You tell me!
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