Tips for sewing zipper pouches

If you struggle to sew zippers, here are a few tips that will make your next zipper pouch experience fun.

Tips for sewing zipper pouches – TIP #1

There is one thing that will help you successfully sew zippers. And that thing is the double sided adhesive tape. This glue tape has a paper backing and it comes in many widths. 1/4” is a very common size used for sewing bags and pouches but wider tapes are useful as well.
You can buy such tape in the craft stores.

This tape is especially helpful when sewing with faux leather/vinyl. Here is what you have to do.

Place the tape along the edge of the vinyl as shown below. Remove the paper backing.

Place the zipper on top, teeth side down. Finger press; the glue will secure the zipper to the vinyl and the zipper will not shift as you sew. This is very helpful, especially if you don’t  have a zipper foot.

Sew at 1/4” from the top edge.
Turn the piece on the other side.

Add tape on vinyl, close to the top edge. Remove the paper backing. Turn the seam allowance away from the zipper…

The glue will keep the vinyl layers together, making the next step easy…

…
topstitching close to the folded edge.

This is an easy technique and you can use the tape for other zipper techniques; you can adhere the paper tape directly to the zipper tape then place the zipper in the desired place. The glue tape will safely keep it in place.

Tips for sewing zipper pouches – tip #2

The zippers have different types of teeth, and for some projects a certain type is better than others. Always follow the instructions of the tutorial/pattern you are using, for the best results it is important to use what it is recommended.

One type of zipper that is very easy to work with is the nylon coil zipper – like the one used in the previous pictures. Look at the polished look of this zipper!

You can easily sew over the teeth, without breaking the needle!

For these pouches I used my latest pattern; the zipper extends into the seam allowance but it does not add too much bulk.

The pair faux leather (vinyl) + nylon coil zipper makes for a great experience…

You can make pouches in any size.

They are great for organizing everyday items.

The pattern is quick and easy…this collection is the proof! 

Tips for sewing zipper pouches – TIP #3

ZIPPER BY THE YARD/METER!

Maybe you think that buying zippers in all the sizes and colors and types is easier than learning how to add a slider to zipper tape? I’ve been there myself! And I can tell you that the zipper by the yard saves you time, money and brings you peace of mind! You will not delay the finishing of projects because you don’t have the proper zipper. You will not be always worried that you don’t have what you need for your next project.

Is adding slider to zipper hard? Yes, but only until you decide that you want to learn how to do it.

So what do you have to do? Learn a SIMPLE technique, watch my video below.