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Benzie's new Zippered Pouch Deep Etch Die makes it fast and fun to stitch felt zippered bags! Don't let the zipper scare you. The pouch pieces have stitch markings, so putting this together is actually very simple. Plus, this project doesn't require a sewing machine, so you can stitch your project anywhere. The pouches make great gifts and they're so handy for storing small items or projects. The smallest size even fits gift cards!
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Time: 2 hours
Additional Supplies:
Die Cut Machine
Kitchen Fork
This tutorial uses Bellwether Wool Felt which has more structure and durability. You can give Wool Blend Felt more strength and staying power by fusing quilting cotton fabric to the felt before cutting. This has the added benefit of creating a cute inner lining!
Directions:
1. For each zipper pouch, cut two matching Side pieces and two Tab pieces. Cut ends off a zipper so it's about 1/4" shorter than the total width of the zipper pouch. Don't use good fabric scissors for this!
Zippers recommended in supply list include two pulls and are long enough to make two pouches.
2. Split one end of zipper open and keep one end joined together. Slide the zipper pull onto tine of a fork with back of the pull facing you and the wider end up. The fork helps hold the pull while you feed the zipper through.
3. Slide both sides of split zipper into wide end of the zipper pull. Draw both sides down into the zipper at the same time. As you pull the sides through, they will zip together. Keeping the ends even as you reattach the pull makes a big difference!
4. Slide zipper pull to middle of the zipper. It should look even on both sides. If one side looks like there's an extra gap near the pull, slide it back and start again.
5. Stitch a felt Tab onto one end of the zipper. The raw edge of the zipper should be about 1/8" in from side of Tab without the holes. Use six strands of embroidery floss and a chenille needle to sew through pre-cut holes with running stitch, then go back and fill in gaps. You should have stitches on either side of the actual zipper, with the needle only going through the fabric sides.
6. Attach second Tab to other end of the zipper, making sure it lines up and is even at each end of the zipper pouch.
7. Apply a very thin line of glue along edges of the zipper. Place straight edge of one pouch Side on either side of zipper. Felt edge should almost touch sides of the zipper pull. Glue is to hold the pieces while you work. It's much easier than pinning and keeps everything flat and in place.
8. When glue is dry, stitch along the zipper edge with six strands of embroidery floss. Use running stitch, then go back and fill in gaps.
9. Fold two Sides down and align edges. Stitch around the sides and bottom.
You can leave the sides and bottom with just a single line of running stitch because those areas don't always get as much wear as the zipper top. But you can also stitch around them again with a second set of running stitches to fill in gaps.
10. To make the optional bow included with the die, fold ends of the long piece so they overlap and the angled sides align. Add a dot of glue.
11. Wrap narrow rectangle around the center and secure with glue. When it's dry, glue or stitch to side of the pouch.
12. You can also use the narrow rectangle as a tab to attach a key clip! This is a great way to make a little pouch for a lanyard or keychain.
The bow is a fun embellishment, but you can dress up your felt zipper pouches lots of ways. Use our Alphabet dies to add a simple monogram, use Wild Olive felt ornament designs to applique pieces to a pouch or add embroidery! Just remember to pre-soak your felt before cutting if you use Sticky Fabri-Solvy with this project.
Happy crafting!
