See Through Zip Pouch Tutorial

Today, I wanted to share a fun zip pouch project!  I love zipper pouches, and have made so many! They are so useful, and I can't get enough of them!  They make great gifts, and are a quick project that you can whip up in no time!

I filled their pouches with lots of fun art supplies, and books! I thought these would be great for church to keep the little kids busy!  You could also use these pouches for "Activity Bags" for your kids when they are having quiet time! Fill each bag with a different activity and get them out when your kids are bored!  The options are endless! 

Alright, so what do you say, let's make one together!

 Supplies:

1/2 yard of outer fabric
1/2 yard of lining fabric
1 - 14" zipper tape
1/4 yard of clear vinyl
Coordinating thread
Fusible Fleece interfacing
 

Cutting:
 
Out of vinyl:
6" x 10" rectangle
 
Out of outer fabric:
2 - 2" x 6" strips (line with interfacing)
3 - 2" x 12.5" strips (line with interfacing)
1 - 11" x 12.5" backing piece (line with interfacing)
 
Out of lining:
1 - 11" x 12.5" piece (not lined)
 

Step 1: Take your 2" x 12.5" strips and your zipper and place zipper (pull side down) on one of the 2" strips.  Line up at the top, and sew your zipper tape on.  Press, then top stitch along the side where you just sewed your zipper on.  You can pin your zipper tape onto the fabric strip, to prevent it from shifting.

Step 2: Sew your other 2" strip onto the opposite side of the zipper tape.  The zipper tape and 2" strip will be right sides together.  Once sewing, press and then top stitch along the side you just sewed. 

Step 3: Take your 10" x 6" piece of clear vinyl, and your 2" x 6" strips place right sides together and sew the strips on the left and right sides.  When sewing with the vinyl, I find it much easier to always sew with the vinyl on the bottom and the fabric on the top, it seems to feed through my feed dogs with better ease on the bottom.  *When pressing around the vinyl, be sure to protect the vinyl and not press directly on the vinyl (it will melt - found that out the hard way! ;)) I just put a folded piece of fabric over the vinyl, and then pressed my seams. 

Step 4: Now add your 12.5" x 2" strip to the bottom of the plastic piece. Now sew your zipper unit to the top, right sides together.  You now have your top unit.  (You can choose to finish your seams by zig-zag stitching along the raw edges)

Step 5: Now layer your lining piece right side down, then place the backing piece right side up, and your front layer right side down.  Line up all the edges, and pin around.

**Be sure you have your zipper open!! This is so you can turn your pouch right side out**

Sew a 1/4" seam around the pouch and then clip the corners, and zig zag stitch around to finish the raw edges.  Turn right side out and you are done! 

That's it friends! Once you make one, you won't be able to stop!  Wouldn't these make awesome makeup bags?! I am pretty sure I'm going to be whipping up several of these for gifts!