I wanted to make a pouch to keep my power bank and wires in when I go on days out etc. The fabulous mushrooms project roundup inspired me to use this mushies fabric I got in a Ruby Star Society scrap bag:
The fabric wasn’t quite wide enough, so I pieced the outside with some Fabric Freedom digital prints I got for my shoe bags. As it has mushies, geometric and zigzag patterns, a rainbow zip, and a teddy bear zip pull I’ve decided it’s a bit like a psychedelic dreamscape.
It’s the first lined zip pouch I remember making. I might have made one 18+ years ago. Using zip tabs is certainly new to me. I used this video to help me out. Unfortunately the pouch and zip ended up a bit too short to easily get the power bank in (my fault) but then I discovered that the power bank I had doesn’t charge my new phone, so I’ve ordered another one. Hopefully that fits in this pouch.
I really enjoyed making it, and I want to make lots more
AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
4
You will find another use for this pretty pouch! I love the rainbow zipper with the mushroom prints. I also like your idea of adding fabrics to the mix, even if that was not what you originally intended.
I think the video might have said something like “sew as close as possible to the tabs” or at least that’s the message I heard, and I take things rather literally. I saw another YT video yesterday where someone moved their needle left with the zip foot on to make clearing the tab bulk easier. I’m going to try that next time.
I am nervous round them too, despite having sewn my first one in about 20 years ago. Stuff that helps me includes:
Only using nylon zips (not metal ones) and ideally only nylon ones with small teeth
Sewing with the handwheel rather than the foot pedal if I need to sew across the zip teeth as that gives me a feeling of control
Using a zip foot to help me sew quite close to my zip tape
Using a pritt stick (glue stick) to hold the fabric in place while I sew the zip on.
Maybe you could try a non-crucial project for your first zip, something where if it’s wonky it doesn’t matter so much. I liked the Charmed pencil pouch for having straightforward instructions.
1 Like
AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
13
I can practically put in zippers in my sleep, but I still goof at times. Those are great tips.
That pencil pouch is a very simple pattern that I absolutely love. I can make more complicated things, but I keep going to that pattern a lot! I not only use it for pens/pencils but also for lipgloss and eyeliner pencils for my purse.
THERE ARE RAINBOW ZIPPERS??? I feel like I’ve been missing out, even though I do not do much sewing.
This is so colorful and trippy. Yep, make more pouches, they are so useful. I have some in an open box in my closet next to my craft room and it’s so wonderful to go and grab one whenever I need something to hold whatever. I want a large one for my shoes to go in my luggage. Would it be called a pouch then? Hm.
I got them so I didn’t have to choose the right coloured zips for my shoe bags/clothes bags , as I bought them before I knew what fabric I was using. They work surprisingly well with everything.
Oh my! I LOVE the perfect, little fish pouch! Good color combo and sweet shape. I made my first zipper pouch (with tabs) a few months ago. I used a fish print fabric.
Congratulations! Your super cool project is featured this week! 
