Making zipper pouches
 

I have been trying my hand at making zipper pouches. I am unfamiliar with all the various types of material used for giving your pouch body so it stands on it's own nicely and retains body. I have tried cotton batting, but it did not work. It was still floppy. Then I tried some fusible type of spongy foam. (forgot name) That certainly worked, but maybe an overkill. I am wanting to get costs down on material, so I was going to try poly batting. I never used poly before so I don't know if this would give it the structure I am looking for.

I would like to do some quilting on it and have it show The fusible fleece and soft and stable is very pricey (at least in the packages) or by the yard, so was looking for something more economical to try.

So for those with experience in making these or bags, can you make some recommendations to me as to what I should try, and if using a poly batting would give any body to speak of.

I would try some decor bond which is a very heavy interfacing/stabilizer. I get mine at Joanns with a coupon. Another idea would be headliner foam in substitution for the soft and stable . It can also be purchased at the same place. It is very wide so more economical. I use either wonder under or basting spray to hold it to the fabric.

Another vote for headliner foam. It's both soft and retains shape, so IMO is perfect for bags. You can get it at Joann's.

Headliner foam. . . hmmm. Interesting . . . where do you buy headliner foam? Does Joann's have it or do you have to go somewhere else?

It's called foam backed headliner fabric, it's at JoAnn's it's $14.99 a yard. 54" wide, beige, I bought some yesterday and used a coupon.

I used a Pellon light weight fusible interfacing on the ones I made. It gives the pouch some body, but it’s not stiff. I’ve used the foamier Soft and Stable when making a purse or something that needs to stand up on its own. For a zipper pouch, I think it’s too much body.

if you use batting with the light weight interfacing, it would show the quilting.

Pre-quilted placemats make great pouches too. I find pretty ones on sale and add a colorful zipper. The edges are finished already too.

I like the Pellon 971 thermolam plus. It is a fleece iron on, but is substantial enough for zipper bags. You can always layer interfacings as well. I would suggest a layer of Shape Flex to pump up the stability if you like.

There are many levels of a stiffer interfacing you can use. Experiment until you find the one that works best for you (meaning provides the strength but is still easy to work with). One thing is to remember to not include the thicker ones in your seam allowance. Sometimes it is easier to sew that seam using your zipper foot. I find that when making the bags that look more like a man's grooming bag (sort of a small mailbox look), I like to only reinforce the bottom and the ends only allowing for the curved sides to be a bit more 'soft'. And, it is a good idea to do a couple lines of stitching thru all layers (even the fusible) to make sure they are secure and don't later move around. For the zippered pouches (like make-up bags) I do not use interfacing. I use either clear vinyl sandwiched between cottons or I use the 'babyville' fabrics for the lining (they are coated as to be waterproof). I find these give plenty of structure and provides a leakproof barrier.

Headliner foam comes in 3 colors at Joanns - beige, grey and black. It is a little thicker than the foam interfacing, but is more spongelike. It is with the home decorating fabrics (the vinyls) on rolls. It is 54" wide and usually is about $14 a yard. You can use a regular item coupon, but not a fabric coupon. It will work will almost any glue.

I would also suggest boxing the bottom of the bag. That will help it stand up. You will need some extra fabric for this step so I always cut my fabric pieces at least 1.5" inches bigger when I'm boxing the bottom. Here is a link to an easy Youtube tutorial for boxing bottoms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJhlgKqjb0o If you are lining the bag you will also box the lining.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I will keep my Joann coupon next time I get one and purchase some of the headliner foam. I will also continue to experiment with some other stabalizers so I can see what they do. I was just looking for a more economical idea.

IrishgirlfromNJ I do box most all of my pouches now unless I want something small and flat to put in my purse.
By the way, I must mention that I am an Irish girl, formally from NJ, and later from Florida too. Only, I lived in Southern Florida and multiple places in NJ (the last being in Hunterdon County) which is a beautiful area of NJ. I had a lovely 150+ year old home there on 12 acres with a barn converted into two lovely apartments. Hate to think what that would go for today. It would probably make me cry. I still dream about that place all these years later.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]620548[/ATTACH]This is a very small zippered bag, will stand alone when closed, lays flat when opened - fits nicely into your purse, and can be folded up. The one pictured does not have a lining in it. Size is 8 1/2 x 11 Inches tall, you will need a 22 inch zipper. Just sew the zipper on, starting at the bottom inside point of the reversed "S" shape.

The left side at the top of the page, called part of the reversed "S" is 3 1/2 inches from the top edge of the paper to the zipper closure and the left side part of the reversed edge is 3 1/4 inches from the outside top edge over to the zipper closure at the indent.

The bottom right side of the "S" is 3" from the edge of the paper to the zipper start, and 3 1/2 inches from the zipper indent to the bottom of the page . I hope these measurements help you make a pattern for the cute bag.

Whoa, what is that??? What does that bag look like when it's zipped up? I tried searching and came up with zip zilch nada! I'm so intrigued by this... :cool:

! That is crazy looking. Hard to imagine it as a pouch! Would love to see it zipped??

I am going to go and make one to post. Do not get a zipper yet, it has been a long time since I made one, I need to let you know that the size I posted is correct. I shall be back with a picture in just a few minutes. It is 6:38 am right now.

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I used an invisible Zipper. Zipper should be 20" in length, not 22 as in my previous post (which I corrected).

pic #1, shows to sew zipper opened up, with zipper sewn on the right side of fabric, slowly move the zipper along the edge of the fabric, sewing to the end, then make a small snip "V" into the fabric, and stitch the end of the zipper as you will have to turn the zipper to the other side when finished.
pic #2. shows the other side of the zipper being sewn along the other edge of your fabric.
pic #3. shows the finished small pouch
pic#4. shows my 22 inch zipper being the wrong size - should be 20 inches., I will cut off the end of the zipper I do not need. It is now 7:14, so shows it does not take long to make a small pouch. I would line the next one I make, to finish off the raw edges, you could also zigzag the edges to stop any fraying.

Please note the first post shows the reversed side of the bag, when you cut it out, you need to have the reverse side facing you, so you will use the blank side of your copy as your correct side of the fabric. Therefore the "s" should be just like you would print it....

The small pouch is 5 x 7 inches when finished, and very easy to fold up and put into your purse, or bag. Makes an inexpensive nice gift for a small child or friend and family. Hope you find my instructions easy to understand, and thanks for looking. Have a great weekend.

So my question for this very interesting pouch is how do things stay in it if lies flat when opened? Is their a pattern/size for the "s" (bag itself)? Thanks for taking the time to make one & tell us how to do it.

I make cosmetic bags for a charity---and I use fleece remnants between 2 layers of cotton. then I quilt the fabric before putting it together. Mine do not stand up---maybe someone can suggest something. Good luck!

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Just made another one, not finished clipping all the extra threads, pic 1 shows the bag being partially opened, and forming a tube, so you can retrieve an item from the bag.
Pic 2 shows the bag opened fully and laying flat on my cutting board nothing has fallen out.
Pic 3 shows the bag standing on its' own, with the zipper closed.

I do not have a pattern, you only need to print out the my first black and white picture and add on about a 1/8 inch, which you will trim, once you have sewn in the zipper. If you are putting on a plastic zipper, I would allow another inch or so, then sew along at the end and trim off any extra on the zipper.

I hope this helps you with your questions.

I have a bolt of Pellon decor bond, which is 45" wide fusible stabilizer, and I used it for making purses, which would help to give your cosmetic bags more stability, however there is a much thicker bond, but I do not know the name of it. I have a sample I would be happy to send to you. Please send me a PM on QB and I will get back to you. Put cosmetic bags in the subject line.

I really like headliner fabric for bags that need to stand up. It's quiltable, soft, but has form. JMO

I make a lot a zipper pouches. The first thing I do is interface all the pieces with Pellon SF 101. It gives body to the quilting cotton. Then I use fusible fleece on the main body pieces, over the SF 101. Do not use the fusible fleece on the lining pieces. It is too much. I then box the bottom corners. They come out with just the right amount of stability, yet can be easily folded for storage.

I purchased some Deco Bond at Walmart last night, but haven't had time to use yet. I plan to purchase some of the headliner material from Joann"s as soon as I get my next coupon in the mail. I really liked the Pellon Flex Foam I purchased, but think it was an overkill for a pouch---a larger bag, yes, so maybe Joann's headliner will be "just right".

Quiltmaker: Which fusible fleece would you recommend using with the interfacing? Here is a link to Walmart page for the fleece. https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=fusible%20fleece
I was there last night feeling everything, and there is a wide differential in them.

I use Pellon 987F in all my zipper pouches and all the bags and purses I make. It is important to use the Pellon SF101 first. I can’t believe what a difference that makes.