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MAKE YOUR OWN LINED ZIPPER POUCH BAG
written by Chrissy
You can make your own clutch bags and zipper pouches to match your outfits! It's really simple, just follow these instructions. You will need the following:

2 cut sheets of exterior fabric, 10" x 7.5"

2 cut sheets of interior fabric, 10" x 7.5" (lining)

1 zipper, 8 inches

1 handle in the exterior fabric. __ x 2" (estimate the length yourself, I made mine 11")

Contrasting/matching thread, needle or sewing machine

Optional: 1 cut sheet of fabric 5" x 2", 1 D-ring, Embellishments, Label

To start, iron all of your fabric so that they will lay flat and have no wrinkles. This will add to the overall aesthetic of your finished product later on.

Let's get the straps out of the way now. Fold your strap over lengthwise so that the right side (the print) is hidden and the wrong side is in view. Sew 1/4" from the edge so that you make a tube. Do the same with the 5" x 2" rectangle.

Reverse both tubes so that the right side is out, then iron it flat. (Optional: Sew 1/4" from the edge on each side to top stitch. I didn't top stitch mine.

Set your straps & d-ring aside. Now we'll work on making the pouch itself. First things first, add your embellishments -- I put a ribbon across the front of mine. If you've got a label, now is a good time to attach it, too. Once you finish with that, get your 2 pieces of exterior fabric and your 2 pieces of interior fabric, then your zipper. We'll start with the exterior fabric. Take one and place your zipper along the edge so that the zipper is wrong side up. Pin and sew. (Here's a tip for sewing the zipper in: move the zipper pull when you need to so your stitches are nice and even. Use a zipper foot if you have one.)

Once you've sewn the zipper on there, take one of your lining fabrics and lay it flat over the exterior fabric so that the zipper is sandwiched between the 2 fabrics. The right side of the lining should face inwards (I made a mark on the wrong side so I'll be reminded that it's the wrong side [WS]). Sew along the top (you'll be sewing over the original line you sewed earlier). One thing to remember is right sides (RS) should always be together unless specified.

Flip the lining fabric over so that the zipper is visible. Iron the edge you sewed flat. Do the same procedure to the other side of the zipper (sew outer and lining fabric onto it, flip so the zipper is visible, iron flat). Make sure you line the fabrics up so the edges do not overlap.

Now, unzip the zipper (do not forget to do this, it's important so you can flip the pouch over later.) Take your d-ring and the 5" x 2" strap. Pin and sew it onto the exterior fabric so it looks like this:

Feel free to trim it a little so it isn't too long. Now that that's done we'll start putting the actual pouch together. Flip the entire thing again so that the zipper is hidden, the exterior fabrics are on one side, and the lining fabrics are on one side. The exterior fabric should be wrong sides out and right sides facing each other, and the lining should be right sides out and wrong sides facing each other. Sew 1/2" all around the rectangle formed, leaving a gap in the middle of the bottom portion of the lining for turning.

Turn your purse inside out by reaching into the gap in the middle and pulling the fabric out. Use a pencil or something blunt to push the corners out. Once you're done, sew the opening on the lining shut, shove the lining into the purse, and you can leave it like that. Otherwise, you can add the strap.

And that's it, you're done! You can alter the procedure to make change purses, or to make it bigger or smaller. It's all up to you. Be creative!

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