Zipper bags

I finally figured out how to sew zippers! Learning how to sew on a sewing machine has been both fun and rewarding at the same time. I found it helpful to save all my pins on Pinterest so I can go back later to look back at how to do things or if I cant find a pattern I printed before.

I started wanting to learn zippers when I saw personalized canvas pencil bags on Pinterest and when I saw the price per bag I couldn't believe it. I can make that myself but I had a fear of sewing zippers because they always looked so complex. I have an irrational fear of everything I haven't learned yet, which has included buttons, button holes, quilts, skirts for me and dresses for me, I'll conquer it some day.

What you need

9in zippers are the perfect size for pencil bags
Natural Cotton Duck
Sewing Machine
Liner fabric in any color or to match your zipper (optional)

I found some really cheap zippers on amazon for under $10 and then I used a 50% off a yard of fabric at Joann to get a really great steal which was $5 for a yard of canvas fabric. Why would I want to buy them if I can make them myself? You read the funny memes about crafters who spend $100s of dollars on supplies just to make something that is $10 to buy but when you really look for great deals you actually spend a lot less to make them. I bought a bunch of zippers and a whole yard because I plan to make gifts with mine but you can easily buy one zipper and less than a yard of fabric to make your own bag but in the long run you have everything on hand.

Here are a few tutorials where I learned how to make a pencil bag/ zipper pouch. 

Worlds fastest pencil case

Exposed lace zipper pouch

How to sew a zipper pouch

Exposed laced zips 

Here is a list of other zipper pouch patterns and tutorials from Polka Dot Chair

You can personalize your zipper pouch with fabric markers, printable iron on designs or svg designs. I put together a list of free svg sites and blogs for easy asscess to them all, find them here.