Triple-Zip Pouch :: A Tutorial

Click here for tutorial in pdf format

Supplies Needed

• 3 zippers, 9" or longer
• fabric for pouch body, accent pieces, and linings (fat-quarters are plenty for the pouch body and linings; accents can be made from scraps)
• fusible fleece
• coordinating thread (which may be more than one, depending on your choice of accent fabrics)

     All seams are 1/4”
     * Note: The piece indicated is one already partially stitched onto the pouch. Now you will be stitching on the other end; will be a lining piece that you are working with, except for the last instance, where it will be the main body fabric.

Cutting Instructions
1 –  main body fabric, 8” x 9 ½”
1 – fusible fleece, 8" x 9 ½” (not shown)
2 – front accent pieces (can be the same or contrasting), 8" x 1 ¼”
2 – pieces fusible fleece, 8" x 1 ¼” (not shown)
6 – zipper ends (all matching or matching pairs), 2 ½" x 3”
1 – main zip lining fabric, 8" x 12 ½”
1 – center zip lining fabric, 8" x 9 ½”
1 – bottom zip lining fabric, 7" x 8”

Preparing Fabric
Adhere fusible fleece to matching fabric piece. (not shown)

Preparing Zippers
Fold and press 1/4" fold in each of the 2 1/2" x 3" fabric pieces, along a 3" edge. Fold each piece in half again so each measures 1 1/2" x 2 1/4".

Pin the folded 'tabs' over the zippers so they extend approximately 3/4" in from the edges of the main body fabric. Stitch across each folded edge.

Pull back each tab and trim off excess zipper at one end, extra zipper tape at the other end.

Also trim along edge of zipper, so tabs basically just cover both zipper ends, without excess, per picture below.

From here forward, zippers will be referred to as #1 (bottom zipper from front view), #2 (center zipper from front view), & #3 (main/top zipper from front view). Bottom edge of each zipper will be referred to as “B”; top edge of each zipper will be referred to as “T”. We’ll be installing the zippers from the bottom up.

Zipper Installation

• For zipper #1B, lay on your work surface, in order given:

Main fabric UP
Zipper #1 face DOWN, zipper pull to the left
Bottom (smallest) lining face DOWN

Pin well, between layers if needed.

Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4” seam along length of zipper, removing pins as you go.

(Confession: sometimes I need to sew along until I reach the zipper pull, remove from machine & rearrange the pull out of the way, then continue stitching.)

Once stitched, remove from machine and arrange fabric so zipper is fully visible, & main fabric and lining are wrong-sides together. Press well & top-stitch close to zipper.

• For zipper #1T, lay on your work surface, in order given:

Bottom (smallest) lining face UP* 
Zipper #1 face UP, zipper pull to the left
Accent piece #1 face DOWN

Pin well, between layers if needed.

Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4” seam along length of zipper, removing pins as you go. Once stitched, remove from machine and arrange fabric so zipper is fully visible, pressing pocket lining down & accent piece up. Top-stitch close to zipper.

• For zipper #2B, lay on your work surface, in order given:

Accent piece #1 face UP
Zipper #2 face DOWN, zipper pull to the left
Center (medium-sized) lining face DOWN

Pin well, between layers if needed.

Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4” seam along length of zipper, removing pins as you go. Once stitched, remove from machine and arrange fabric so zipper is fully visible, pressing pocket lining down & accent piece with zipper up. Top-stitch close to zipper.

• For zipper #2T, lay on your work surface, in order given:

Center (medium-sized) lining face UP*
Zipper #2 face UP, zipper pull to the left
Accent piece #2 face DOWN

Pin well, between layers if needed.

Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4” seam along length of zipper, removing pins as you go. Once stitched, remove from machine and arrange fabric so zipper is fully visible, pressing pocket lining down & accent piece up. Top-stitch close to zipper.

• For zipper #3B, lay on your work surface, in order given:

Accent piece #2 face UP

Zipper #3 face DOWN, zipper pull to the left

Main (largest) lining face DOWN

Pin well, between layers if needed. Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4” seam along length of zipper, removing pins as you go. Once stitched, remove from machine and arrange fabric so zipper is fully visible, pressing pocket lining down. Top-stitch close to zipper.

• For zipper #3T, lay on your work surface, in order given:

Main (largest) lining face UP*

Zipper #3 face UP, zipper pull to the left

Main body fabric face DOWN*

Pin well, between layers if needed. Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4” seam along length of zipper, removing pins as you go.

Once you sew this step, your project will be inside out, and somewhat odd looking. No worries! You're still on the right track!

To Finish
This is where it got really difficult to take meaningful pictures, so read carefully and just go step by step.

• Reach in through the main lining fabric fold and turn inside out, so all you see is the main lining, right side out. Reach in and unzip the main zipper. 
• Work from here on one side edge of pouch at a time. Line up edge, pushing main lining out of the way as best you can. Pin edges together, and starting from bottom, stitch up the side of the pouch, removing pins as you go and going up as far as you can. 
• Now bring the lining back where you can work on it, pushing the seam you just sewed into the pouch, out of the way. Press edges of lining in 1/4", pin sides together, and starting from bottom, stitch up the side of the pouch, removing pins as you go and going up as far as you can. 
• Repeat for other side.
• Turn pouch inside out through open main zipper, pushing out corners to shape. Press edges with your iron for a clean finished look!

The story behind this pouch can be found here. If you make a Triple-Zip Pouch or are inspired by this tutorial, please feel free to post a photo in my flickr group ~ Quilting with A Quilter's Table. Thanks!