Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive

The Zippered Pouch

Aug 27th, 2007 by Kathy

You’d think something simple like a 7″ x 7″ zippered pouch would be an easy code to crack. Not in my sewing room. I obsess over making the thing square. Perfecting those teeny, tiny areas opposite the zipper stop and the zipper pull. I employ a rather convoluted approach to sewing the exterior layer separate from the interior layer. Yes, OCD dances again.

I’ve self-talked my way through a few new ideas that I’ll be putting to the test in upcoming weeks. You’ll be the first to know if any of them work. If you have any secrets to share, by all means, do tell. Of course, I could just do it the easy way, but those darn not-90-degree-square, slanted corners really drive me crazy!

Lucky for contest winners Pam and Nicolette I successfully navigated my own gobbledygook and came out the victor. Aren’t they cute? Both fabrics are from Superbuzzy. An outside observer might say I’m obsessed with mini flowers. I am. They go with EVERYTHING.

I finished Harry Potter 7 today. Last in line after Greg and Caitlin. I can now take my fingers out of my ears and stop saying ‘la,la,la,la,la…’ every time they start to talk about it. I’m sad that the series is over but I love it beyond belief. I’m curious how my family and I will remember it in 20 or 30 years.

Posted in Sewing | 24 Comments

24 Responses to “The Zippered Pouch”

on 28 Aug 2007 at 12:26 am1Nicole

A lined zippered pouch is one of my major projects that I haven’t conquered yet. I don’t know how many times I tried, but until now nothing came even close to perfect. Yours look fantastic! Very cute fabris and the perfect zipper.
Can’t wait to see if there is an (easy) way to do this.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 12:59 am2katrin

love the lining fabric! too cute, really
i always sew the inner bag in the same step like the outer bag… maybe yours look better because you do both sides “extra”… i’ll have to check that in my laboratory…
on 28 Aug 2007 at 4:35 am3Adrienne

Those are so cute! Ihave to get on the ball and make one or ten! LOL
on 28 Aug 2007 at 4:53 am4anne

Those are the cutest bags, and super well made! I never thought about the top and bottom of zippers until I sewed one yesterday and saw that nasty little gap. Yikes.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 4:55 am5Solidia

Zippers have ALWAYS been hard for me! I will have to try your method. The bags sure are cute and I love the elephant fabric! I looked at it, but couldn’t quite picture using it for anything until I saw your pouches.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 5:20 am6Fiona

Lovely zipper purse. Love the fabric and the size.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 6:00 am7Mama Urchin

The pouches look great. Isn’t interesting how a simple thing is hard to make if you pay attention to the details? I love your little labels too.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 7:05 am8Heidi

“YAY!” That was what I said when I opened up my Google reader and saw a new post from Pink Chalk Studio. I’m never disappointed - these are awesome. Love the elephants! At least you can sew a zipper, that’s all I can say.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 7:13 am9shannon

I love that elephant fabric, I have it in several colors but haven’t used it yet. I’ve made several zipper pouches, but all have been rectangle and all have been “wonky” on either side of the zipper! Love to hear any tips you have after your tests.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 8:28 am10Anina

Oh, PLEASE let me know how you did that!!! That’s my biggest gripe with zippered pouches. The zipper ends being such a mess. That’s definitely my OCD tendencies peeking through too.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 9:09 am11Pam

I agree, zippers done well are not easy. These are very cute. Love the loops. You’re so creative!
on 28 Aug 2007 at 9:35 am12nicolette

I really love the zippered pouches and the fabrics are fabulous! I’m a very lucky winner! I never made a pouche, let alone with a zipper. I’m still struggling on much easier items! Thanks again Kathy!
on 28 Aug 2007 at 9:59 am13Stacy

Hi! I’m a new ‘commenter’ but I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now and finally just got the hankering leave a reply…I think it was the Harry Potter that put me over the edge. Wasn’t it fabulous?!
Anyway, I would love to know your technique for these pouches. I’m still a beginner in the sewing world but I would love to conquer something small like this…and with a ZIPPER! I’m an interior designer by trade (although my specific job doesn’t lend too much creativity at least at work…cubicles?…yea…I spec them…ooooh how much fun) but I do collect the ‘leftovers’ of fabric swatches and large samples from our library and they’ve been piling up because I just can’t see some of the cool fabrics go to the trash bin! This would be a great thing to make with them, great size! Please do elaborate!!! Thanks!
on 28 Aug 2007 at 10:05 am14Brenda

I have been making quilted knitting bags for myself and friends, and trying to make zippered pouches to go inside to hold knitting tools. The corners on mine are hidious—there just seems to be too much bulk to turn the corners neatly. Yours look really nice in the picture. Any tips you can share would be great—I haven’t sewn in years, and I’ve forgotten what little bit I did know.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 10:40 am15Sally

I JUST posted about zippered pouches! Here’s the link to my tutorial: http://sewsally.blogspot.com/2007/08/zippered-coin-purse.html and my thoughts on zippers.

Wasn’t Harry Potter #7 great?! It felt so satisfying, the way it ended.
on 28 Aug 2007 at 12:48 pm16Ann

I’d love to know how you do that - I’ve purchased every zipper pattern/book thing out there just looking for that one answer. They all say to hand stitch the lining in - and I just don’t want to do it that way! Please let us know!
on 28 Aug 2007 at 7:15 pm17Lisa

Ooooohhhh, Sally, thanks for the tutorial! I am printing it out as I type this… I, too, have struggled with making the corners of those zippered pouches nicely square and because I am also an OCD perfectionist, get so upset with myself when they are not perfect!
on 28 Aug 2007 at 10:21 pm18shiso mama

ah, kathy, your perfectionism is one reason why i keep coming back again and again - to see your beautifully constructed work. i love this one, these fabrics are right up my alley!
on 29 Aug 2007 at 12:47 am19Amber

They look very square too me - and so darn cute!! Great job and the zipper areas look very good….I’ve tried a few zippered pouches but still don’t feel too comfortable doing them yet…guess it just takes more practice. Keep up the wonderful work and I love the mice above too! I saw that tutorial but it looked like so much work - so cute though!!
on 29 Aug 2007 at 9:16 am20Kristin

I have some of that elephant fabric too, isn’t it adorable? I’m glad you brought the mini flowers to my attention. I like them in the pouches, but didn’t find them so appealing on the website. I’ll have to take another look. Also, HP will stay with us for a very long time too. I loved the whole series just as much as Chloe did.
on 29 Aug 2007 at 11:05 am21Nancy Carpenter

I have that same OCD disease with zipper ends. Are you going to publish your tips - please? Your zipper pouches look fabulous … perfect 90 degree corners and such tidy zipper ends!
on 29 Aug 2007 at 11:53 am22HobbyMommy

Love those little pouches! The fabric is so cute. Thanks for sharing! You’re inspiring my bag obsession!
on 29 Aug 2007 at 1:01 pm23cloth.paper.string

fantastic pouches!! lucky lucky ladies!
on 31 Aug 2007 at 3:30 pm24Chara Michele

Such cute little pouches!