DIY - A decorative (and functional) lace zipper pouch

Hi everyone,

Earlier this week, while the little monster had his nap, I made this pretty lace zipper pouch:

Recently, the sewing machine does not seem to be getting much of a workout - I blame the baby growing in my belly - but for some reason, the other day at nap time, I really wanted and felt like making this pouch.  So, I asked the little monster - while he ate his lunch - what colour zipper I should use...he chose grey, and I'm so happy he did as I think it works much better than the other choices I gave him (which were yellow or blue).

Now, I haven't written a DIY tutorial for my little blog or anyone else's in AGES...so I though I would write this for all those of you that haven't worked with lace zips before - they are so EASY and FUN!

You will need:
4 pieces of fabric measuring 4.5" x 5.5"
4 pieces of light/medium weight interfacing and
1 lace zip

As you can see form the above picture, I went to my scrap boxes for the lining fabric used in this pouch, I wish I had had enough of those cute little birds to make another pouch with them on the outside...but I didn't and I felt like using them ;) now when I open my pouch I get a little surprise and a smile :D

The sausage dogs were perfect for the outside of the pouch, I love them and I will enjoy using this pouch regularly just so I get to see them - the little monster also loves them, he says, "mummy's doggies" whenever he sees it too :D

Sorry...I got side tracked...here is how you go about making your own:

1. Iron on your interfacing to the wrong side of each of your fabric pieces

2. Sew, (right sides together) one of your exterior fabric pieces to one of your lining pieces.  Repeat for other exterior and lining piece.

3. Press seems flat, (repeat for remaining fabric pair).

4. Press fold where the exterior fabric meets the lining fabric, (repeat for remaining fabric pair).

5. Pin your lace zip to the pressed fold in the fabric on the exterior fabric side (see the picture below). Make sure you don't pin the fabric too close to the teeth of the zipper - or every time you open and close the pouch, your fabric will get caught in the zip.

6. Stitch your zip to the fabric (it is much easier to use a zipper foot on your sewing machine for this step :D) Repeat step 5 and 6 for the other side of the pouch.

7. Fold your exterior fabric pieces so that they are right sides facing, and then fold the lining pieces so they are right sides facing, pin and sew (with a 1/4" seam allowance) around the outside edge - leaving a turning gap on the lining fabric side (see image below).

8. Draw a 1" square in each of the 4 corners on the front and in each of the 4 corners on the back - (use the your stitching lines as a guide).

9. Bend/fold the corners so that the lines from your 1" squares match up (see the picture below).

10. Sew along the line.  Repeat step 9 and 10 for all 4 corners.

Once all 4 corners have been sewn, your pouch should look like this:

11. Snip the excess off each of the 4 corners, leaving a 1/4" seam.

12. Turn your pouch through the turning gap so that it is right way out.

13. Sew your turning gap closed.

14. Turn so your pouch is right side out...Yay!  Your done :)

Finished interior

Finished exterior

I hope you have had a great time using and creating with this tutorial :)

See decorative lace zips aren't that hard after all are they?!

I'd love to be able to tell you about the fabric I have used here, however, all fabrics used were purchases from other makers during destash sales or in scrap packs...so if you know the fabrics I've used here, please comment and let me know their names :)

Thanks and see you all again soon!

Emma