Looking for a thoughtful handmade gift? A zipper pencil pouch is a versatile and practical present—everyone has small items to organize, and fabric choices make personalization simple. Once you know the basic construction, these pouches sew up quickly, making them perfect for holiday gifts, teacher presents, or little extras for friends and family.
This version adds elasticized pen slots on the exterior for easy access to a favorite pen or pencil. The elastic adds visual interest and a burst of color while keeping writing tools handy. Ready to make one?
SUPPLIES:
¼ yard upholstery fabric for the exterior
¼ yard upholstery fabric for the lining
¼ yard Pellon 987F or fusible fleece interfacing
9″ or longer all-purpose zipper
20″ total of ½” wide elastic (decorative elastic recommended)
disappearing ink fabric marker
zipper foot for your sewing machine
All supplies shown were purchased at Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores.
Step 1: Cut two rectangles 9″ wide by 6″ tall from the main fabric, two from the lining fabric, and two from the fusible fleece. You will have six rectangles total.
Step 2: Follow the interfacing package directions to fuse the fusible fleece to the wrong side of each exterior fabric piece.
Step 3: Mark the exterior panel for the elastic slots. Place one exterior piece vertically. Using a disappearing ink marker, draw a horizontal line 2½” down from the top and another 2½” up from the bottom. Starting at least 1″ in from each side, mark 5–7 dots spaced 5/8″ apart along each horizontal line. Make sure the top and bottom dots align vertically.
Step 4: Cut two 7″ lengths of elastic. Align one length with the top marked line and the other with the bottom marked line, positioning each inside the marked line toward the center. Baste each elastic close to the edge of the panel. Then stitch short vertical lines at each mark to form the pen/pencil slots, keeping the elastic straight. Backstitch at each end and where the vertical stitches begin to secure the thread. These short stitches should extend across the elastic, roughly ½” long.
Step 5: Assemble the pouch. Lay one exterior piece right side up. Place the zipper right side up above it. Position the zipper so the metal stop or sewn end is ½” from each top side edge of the main piece (adjust zipper length if needed).
Step 6: Fold the zipper down onto the exterior piece so the zipper top faces the right side of the fabric.
Step 7: Place one lining piece right side down over the zipper, sandwiching the zipper edge between the lining and exterior. Stitch close to the zipper teeth without sewing through them. A zipper foot makes this step easier.
A zipper foot on your machine will be helpful for stitching close to the zipper.
Step 8: To maintain an even seam from the zipper teeth, stop stitching about halfway along the top, backstitch, and move the zipper pull to the opposite end. Continue stitching the remainder of the seam. Open the seam and press; it should resemble the photo above.
Step 9: Fold the exterior and lining pieces so their wrong sides face each other and press the fabric away from the zipper.
Step 10: Prepare the other side. Place the remaining exterior piece right side up. Flip the other side of the zipper so it lies right side down on the exterior piece, aligning raw edges with the zipper edge.
Step 11: Place the final lining piece right side down over the zipper, sandwiching it between the exterior and lining. Stitch as you did on the first side.
Step 12: Press the seams well. You should now have two joined sides with the zipper centered between them.
Step 13: Match the two exterior pieces right sides together and the two lining pieces right sides together, keeping the zipper in the center.
Step 14: Stitch around the pouch perimeter with a ½” seam allowance, leaving a 4″ opening in the lining for turning. Fold seam allowances around the zippers in the same direction. If you want an elastic loop at the side, cut a 4″ piece of elastic, join the ends to make a loop, and place it in the side seam just below the zipper before stitching, with the looped end facing inward.
Step 15: Clip the four corners close to the stitching without cutting stitches, and trim excess fusible fleece from the seam allowance to reduce bulk. Turn the pouch right side out through the lining opening.
Step 16: Close the lining opening with a slip stitch by hand or stitch close to the edge on your machine. Tuck the lining into the pouch, give it a final press, and you’re finished.
This design is fun and functional—easy to make multiple at a time. Enjoy creating pouches for everyone on your list!