DIY Fabric Zippered Pencil Pouch

I wanted to make something special for my girls that they could use for school this year.  I decided to sew this pencil pouch for them.  It will be a fun back-to-school gift for them.  I'm pretty sure that my older daughter will ask for another one to hold her art supplies separately.


I have mentioned before that my girls call my fabric stash a "mini JoAnn's".  I looked through the different patterns and colors and decided to use the bright orange with a flower pattern for the liner.  The animal print that I used for the outer fabric was actually a twin flat sheet that I bought at the thrift store quite a while ago.  I loved the pattern and knew that I would be able to use it for something fun.

I had a 7" zipper, but I think next time I make this I will buy a 10" zipper instead.  The best size would be an 8 or 9 inch zipper, but I couldn't find any in that size.  I cut my fabric to be 6 1/2 inch by 5 inches.  You want to make sure that your fabric is shorter in length than your zipper.

You start by placing your outer fabric on your surface with the pattern face-up.  Place the zipper down facing the fabric.  Line up the edges.  Place the liner fabric on top of the zipper with the pattern facing down.

Pin the three layers together, then sew along the edge using your zipper foot.  To make it easier to sew around the zipper pull, unzip it halfway.  You can sew the first section, then re-zip the zipper back to the top so it isn't in the way while you continue to sew along the rest of the edge.

This is what it looks like with one part done.  I unfolded it and ironed the seam flat where the fabric attaches to the zipper.

To add the fabric for the second side, place the outer layer face side up (like you did with the first side).  Then place the zipper down on top of the fabric, with the zipper facing the fabric (both outer fabrics will be facing each other).  Line up the edges to make sure it is straight.

Place the liner fabric face down on the zipper.  It will look like this when you are ready to pin it.  After pinning, remember to unzip the zipper part way to make sewing easier.

When you are done sewing along the edge, your project will look like this.  The outer fabric will be on each side of the zipper when the zip part is on top.

When you turn it over, this is what it look like. 

Next you will be sewing the outer fabric together and the liner fabric together.  You hold the pieces of the outer fabric together (patterned side facing each other) and pin them.  Unzip the zipper halfway.  That will leave the opening so you can pull the fabric through later to make it right side out.

Then you repeat with the liner side.  When pinning the liner size you leave a 2 inch gap so you can make it right side out.  I left my gap on the side of the project instead of the bottom so it wouldn't be as noticeable when you sew it later on.

I started sewing on the side of the liner where I put a pin to mark where the gap would start.  I then worked my way around the whole project until I got to the pin where I knew to stop so there was a 2 inch space left in the project.  You sew over the zipper too.  When done sewing, you will need to trim the extra zipper area.

You then pull the fabric right side out through the opening you left.  You will need to use your finger in the corners to make them stand out.  To close the gap, you can either hand stitch the opening to close it with an invisible stitch, or you can use your sewing machine.  Make sure the thread is a color similar to your liner fabric so the stitch color does not stand out.

Put the lining back into the pouch and you are finished!  It is ready for you to fill up with pencils, pens, colored pencils, markers and erasers.

I wanted to make sure you saw that there was enough room inside for the pencils.  The mechanical pencils fit just perfectly inside this pouch.

These little bags would be perfect to carry as a make-up bag when traveling also.

To celebrate back-to-school time, a group of my blogging friends and I decided that we would share each others posts.  You can visit the links below to find some great information and tips!  A few of them are doing a giveaway also, so definitely visit and enter!

                                           

The Resourceful Mama//Raising Little Superheros//Home Crafts by Ali//Local Busy Bees//Play Dough and Popsicles//Preschool Toolkit

Back to School Tips for a Smooth Transition

4 Ways To Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten

DIY Zippered Pencil Pouch

 How to Establish a Successful Parent-Teacher Relationship

A Week Inside Our Home Preschool

What Can Little Kids Do When the Big Kids Are in School? 

Don't forget to check out my Back to School Interview Page Printable too!