I’m so excited to Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl guest posting today and sharing this fun tutorial for a Heart Zip Pouch! These would make such a great Valentines gift for a friend. I used to be intimidated by installing zippers. If you are feeling this way too, I promise, you can do this! It’s such a great, fun, fast and personalizable project.
Howdy! Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl stopping by with a fun Valentine’s Day sewing project!!
I always carry a pencil pouch with me – I have one in my purse, one with my scripture study stuff, one in the car – you get it – I love colored pens!!!
I was at the store recently and saw some cute padded pencil pouches – I love that they were thick and soft! Here is my version!!
Zipper Pouch Supplies
You will need fat quarters – I used an adorable valentine fabric called Hello Sweetheart by Riley Blake Designs. These prints are no longer available but you can find other equally cute Valentine fabrics from Lou Lou’s Fabric Shop, the Fat Quarter Shop, and Simply Love Fabrics.
You will also need Heat n Bond Fusible High Loft Fleece, Heat n Bond Lite, and a 12 inch (or longer) zipper.
Let’s talk about fusible fleece. Have you ever used it? What do you use if for? I use fusible fleece for nearly all my zipper pouches and tote bags. It’s manufactured by Therm O Web and you can purchase it by the yard or in prepackaged cuts.
There are two types of fusible fleece: high loft and regular loft. High loft, as you can see above, is thicker and softer. For this zipper pouch I am using the high loft – I want the zipper pouch to feel “padded”. Both weights are fused with an iron and provide stability and softness.
Cutting Instructions
Cut the fusible fleece into (2) rectangles measuring 5″ x 9.5″
Also cut the fabric for the outside of the zipper pouch into (2) rectangles measuring 5″ x 9.5″
The manufacturer’s instructions say to set the iron on “wool” and use steam. Place the rough side of the fleece toward the fabric (that’s the adhesive – you don’t want to attach it to your iron or ironing board!). Press and hold iron with medium pressure for 10-15 seconds. Let cool. Repeat with the other rectangle.
For the heart appliqué, draw a heart on to Heat n Bond Lite. Cut out around the heart.
Using a dry, medium hot iron, heat set the Heat n Bod hearts onto the wrong side of the desired fabric and carefully press in place.
Let the paper cool. Cut out the heart on the pattern line and peel off the backing paper.
Position the heart onto one of the rectangles. Heat set into place.
Sew around the heart with a straight stitch 2 times.
Cut (2) lining rectangles 5″ x 9.5″
Sewing in the Zipper
Instead of recreating my zipper tutorial, you can click HERE for the step by step instructions for adding the zipper and finishin the pouch.
Because I’ve used fleece, it is best to use a walking foot to sew the pouch together.
And just like that you have valentines for all your friends!!!
These are so fun to mass produce – especially if you piece them assembly-line style where you do each step on multiple projects all at once. For example cut out multiple projects at once, add applique heart to all at once, etc.
I ordered these fun little tassels from Amazon. Or you could add a cute detachable enamel zipper pull like one of these.
These look darling with any fabrics and for any occasion!
Thanks so much for the great zipper pouch tutorial, Amanda!
Amanda is also the creator of this adorable LOVE applique pillow tutorial.
Amanda also has a fun tutorial for making your own fabric Valentine postcards! They’re a really fun project for fussy-cutting!
You can see more of Amanda’s tutorials on her blog. You can also find Amanda (and her cat, Mufasa) on Instagram for lots more creative inspiration.
Kristi
Thank you for posting this tutorial. Looks like fun!
Jessie
I love this! Where did you get the little metal circles to connect the tassels to the zipper?
Danette
Thanks for the wonderful tutorial. They are all so cute!
The Joyful Quilter
Those little bags are SEW sweet!!
Beryl Stoots
Amy, these are really cute! Where did you get the tiny split rings that attach the tassel to the zipper?? Thank you.