DIY Pencil Pouch
Are you ready for a 15 minute sewing tutorial. Yes, you read that correctly – 15 minutes!
I like to make something new for Harper at the beginning of the school year. I made this snack bag when she started kindergarten that she still uses!
Today I am sharing this fabulous beginner sewing tutorial for a simple pencil pouch. I used a dusty blue Lotta Jansdotter fabric with a gold zipper. I added a mustard suede cord for the zipper pull. What makes this project so fast and easy is adding interfacing instead of a liner fabric.
We love simple sewing projects. There is something so satisfying about making something on your sewing machine.
Read more for the full DIY pencil pouch tutorial…
DIY Pencil Pouch Supplies:
printed cotton fabric / 7 inch zipper / fusible interfacing 
/ suede cord
/ sewing machine / scissors
How to sew a DIY Pencil Pouch
1. Measure and cut fabric and interfacing. Cut 2 pieces of fabric and interfacing at 8.5 inches wide x 5.5 inches tall.
2. Iron on the interfacing to the wrong (back) side of fabric.
3. Lay one piece of fabric, right side up. Lay the zipper down, right side of zipper on the right side of fabric. Pin and sew using zipper foot.
4. Lay the other piece of fabric right side up. Lay the fabric with zipper, face down onto the fabric.
5. Sew the zipper to the fabric, again using the zipper foot.
6. Using regular sewing foot, sew along the top edges to secure the zipper (on the right side of fabric).
7. Unzip the zipper half way. Next, sew the 3 sides together. using a half inch seam allowance.
8. Trim and clip the edges.
9. Pull the fabric through the zipper to inside out.
10. Attach suede cord to the zipper pull.
Photos by Sara Albers.
Have you ever tried not clipping corners? I realize this is a really bold statement, but I recently found out that leaving the corners un-clipped actually makes them even nicer. Try it sometime–it works!
Thanks for the tip (no pun intended =)) Caroline! I will try that next time.
This is so sweet! I really need to put my sewing machine to use. It just sits there collecting dust, but I find it so intimidating!
Thanks Tan! Get that machine out – these are really easy to make!
I always want to try zipper projects, but i’m just too scared… i adore how this pencil pouch turned out! love the little leather pull detail, too. pinned!
You can do it Amy! Don’t be afraid of the zipper!
so making this!xx
https://justthatdiy.wordpress.com
Erika – you will love the simplicity of this pouch! Enjoy!
Hi! do you remember where you found that cute zipper? I’ve been looking for a cute one, but can’t seem to find one at michael’s or beverly’s. None of them seem to have a big enough opening to fit the suede cord through. I love the white body with gold zip. Thanks!
I found them at a little discount fabric store in SF called Fabrix (on Clement St).
Hi Melissa and Sara! I’m so happy to find your blog and this project on Pinterest. Just want to personally thank you and let you know that I featured this project on my blog in my “Easy Peasy Sewing Projects for Novice Seamstress” post.
Here it is, http://sewingmadesimple.net/easy-sewing-projects/
Please let me know if I missed something or if you want to change and add information about your blog and project.
Xoxo,
Amber
P.s. Love your branding! I’m a new fan. 🙂
Glad to find this post,this is an easy enough project my little girl can finish by herself,thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for making this tutorial. The pictures make it sooo much easier to do and understand. I have made these bags about four or five times. Thanks so much!
Glad you are enjoying the tutorial!
I haven’t actually tried the project yet, but it sounds super easy, and I love how short&simple it is.