Bags or Zakka Sewing Patterns Free Patterns Sew-along Sewing Tutorials Sewing Videos

Free Sewing Pattern, Tutorial and Video – Double zip pouch

May 27, 2013


Along with the theme of Zakka month, I decided to tackle something that has been baffling me for a while. How to make a double zip pouch with two compartments. Well actually I wanted to make one with 3 zips but I decided to try it out with the simpler version of 2 zips first.  It certainly looks like a simple pouch. But it can get a little confusing. It was only after trying to do the tutorial that I realize there were so many steps. It’s not that tough to sew though, and once you get the hang of it, it’s quite easy to do a second. In fact, the actual sewing time (minus the time taken to get confused) is actually quite short.

This time round I managed to finish the youtube video first (link below) so I used screen captures for the tutorial but the result meant some pictures end up with motion blur. Must remember to stop and “pose” during video filming 🙂

Anyway, here’s what I made.

I love these gold zips with the zip pulls.

Perfect for storing sewing supplies!

And here’s the youtube video. I had no choice but to take the video at night so the lighting was not the best.

Step by step instructions. Click on the thumbnails to view the full size image.

I hope you like this project and that it’s not too confusing. If you don’t mind, I need some feedback with regards to the display of tutorial images. I used to incorporate them all in a PDF file but the downloading of the PDF files was causing me some bandwidth trouble with the server. So I am putting up the images directly in the post instead. Right now I am using a built in gallery function in wordpress that shows the thumbnails in a grid format and you can click on it to browse the pictures. But would it be better if the full size images were just included in the post instead? The page might take longer to load since it has lots of images to load up, but will that be easier to refer to compared to the gallery format? Let me know your thoughts!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

You Might Also Like

69 Comments

  • Reply Elviana Noerdianningsih May 28, 2013 at 12:00 am

    wow! thank you so much for this tutorial! i would definitely try this!

  • Reply Jaya May 28, 2013 at 12:16 am

    first, thank you very much for the tutorial.
    second, if you can you load all the pictures IN the post… at a medium size so that we can read the caption… so that we can click (and enlarge) any picture that needs closer viewing… i think that is the easiest way to read tutorials.

    third, that is a very cute pouch! thanks for the detailed tutorial!

  • Reply Ana Sofia May 28, 2013 at 6:02 am

    Love this!
    Thank you so much for the tutorial – I’ll be making one soon for sure (I’m in desperate need of a similar pouch to get everything organized in my bag).

  • Reply Raphaele May 28, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    Thank you so much for the tutorial. I am in desperate need of pouches to get my handbag organised. I thought double zip ones were super difficult but your video is so clear! Now you have done all the zipper-flipping thinking, I just need to make it!

  • Reply Deb Mattson May 30, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    Thanks for all the patterns and info you share. You have a great site.

  • Reply Betty Jordan Wester June 1, 2013 at 1:01 am

    I love this pattern! Thank you!

  • Reply ana manheim June 24, 2013 at 5:38 am

    Hello, I loved this patern. I was looking for something like that for a long time already. I’ll try it out soon. Thank you so much, regards ana

  • Reply Zely Almeida June 24, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    Olá, gosto muito de todas as idéias que nos enviam, é de grande relevância para mim e, acredito que para todos que curtem os tutorias, eles são maravilhosos e fáceis de confeccioná-los. Por exemplo ao receber o tutorial da bolsinha com dois zíperes, fui de imediato faze-la e consegui, fiquei super feliz! Pois as explicações de vocês são de fácil compreensão.
    Mandem mais estou ansiosa pelas novidades.
    Um grande abraço a todos. 🙂
    Zely

  • Reply Amy Menges July 2, 2013 at 2:17 am

    Thanks so much for a video tutorial. And as to the photos in the post, I like the gallery idea you tried. That way, if I’m not interested in the particular tutorial, or don’t want to go through it at that moment, I can quickly move on to the next post. But when I want to see it, the enlarged slide show of the steps is very handy. Thanks!

  • Reply Japanese Sewing Books July 18, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Received a question from Kim about seam allowances in inches, thought I should post this here if anyone needs help with conversions.

    Hi there!
    I’m wondering if you could tell me what the
seam allowances are in your wonderful
tutorial for the double zip pouch.
    Specifically 0.5cm and 0.8 cm. I converted
each to inches, but that still doesn’t
help because the amounts are in decimals.
    Usually seam allowances, here in the states,
are 1/8, 1/4. 3/8, 1/2 etc etc. Can you
help?
    Thanking you ever so much!!! Kim

    Hi Kim,
The two different seam allowances used when sewing the zip is so that the first stitch (0.5cm) that is attaching the fabric to the zip will be subsequently hidden when the next row of stitches (with a larger seam allowance of 0.8cm) is being sewn to attach the second piece of fabric onto the same zip. So theoretically, you don’t have to follow the exact seam allowance. You just have to make sure that the first stitch has a narrower seam allowance than the second.
    When I convert 0.5 and 0.8cm to inches, it is actually approximately 1/5″ and 1/3″ but that is not marked on the sewing machine. In fact, 0.5cm is in between 1/8 and 1/4, and 0.8cm is between 1/4 and 3/8 mark.
    So I would suggest that you either do a step down to use 1/8″ for the first stitch and 1/4″ for the second line of stitching. Or if your zip is wide enough to accomodate two rows of stitching at 1/4″ and 3/8″, you can do that too if you are more comfortable with wider seam allowances.
    Hope that answers your question! 
Yi Farn

  • Reply Kim Janson July 21, 2013 at 3:54 am

    YiFarn

    Yes, you helped so much! I could easily see
    that one row of stitching was further away
    and then the next closer to the zip, and
    had planned on doing just as you have
    suggested with the 1/8 and 1/4, but
    so very happy i could hear it from you!!!
    What a wonderful tutorial you did….
    thanks for taking the time! I love
    your website and all the delicious
    fabrics!! Kim

  • Reply Double Zipped Pouch - Free Sewing Tutorial August 8, 2013 at 1:17 am

    […] Get step-by-step instructions here […]

  • Reply Sarah August 27, 2013 at 11:35 am

    I love your zipper pulls, where did you get them? I am unable to find anything like them.

    • Reply Sarah August 27, 2013 at 11:44 am

      Also, what are the dimensions of the finished product?

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books September 2, 2013 at 9:28 am

      Hi Sarah, the finished dimensions are 20cm (W) x 15cm (H). As for the zipper pulls, some were bought in Japan and some in Singapore. They are from YKK and its a metal fastener with a gold ball chain zipper pull. You can try searching with the part number 3MGC-20BL if you have a sewing shop near you that stocks YKK zips?

  • Reply Christine January 8, 2014 at 1:46 am

    Merci beaucoup, c’est un cours super génial !

  • Reply LaVonne January 8, 2014 at 11:36 pm

    Love the pouch and your very comprehensive tutorial. I’ll make this this week and share the site with my sewing group. Thanks so much!

  • Reply feebeefee January 27, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Super tutorial, thank you! The photos made the steps really easy to follow. The mark-ups of rs/ws were particularly helpful!

    The pouch I made turned out great. I posted a photo of it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/feebeefee/12166154674/

  • Reply Amber March 31, 2014 at 12:33 am

    I have yet to experience such a detailed and well-made video such as yours! If only they all were like yours. I only have one question on the tutorial. When on the final step of sewing, you mention sewing the rough edges toward the lining. Are the zipper teeth also sewn toward the lining, or toward the outside fabric? Thank you so much!

  • Reply Suryaparabha May 6, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    Dear ma’m the tutorial is amazing and very easy to understand, by following the measurements you mentioned I also got a very neat finishing see the image on my blog http://www.suryaprabhae.blogspot.ae however can you explain how we can do three zipped pouch the same way..or will that be quite different? pls advise. best regards.

  • Reply Mary May 30, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    Thank you for the tutorial. But I would so much prefer a PDF. It is difficult to sew and have to keep going back to the computer to see the next step.

    Just my opinion.

  • Reply Swapsies - Inspiration for Handmade Swaps - Secret Sewing Society August 20, 2014 at 9:25 am

    […] 1. Double Zip pouch by Yifarn of Japanese Sewing Books – tutorial found here […]

  • Reply A double zip pouch with two compartments – video tutorial | Sew Easy August 24, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    […] All tutorial and photos are from http://www.japanesesewingbooks.com […]

  • Reply A Pouch for Pics, Tuners & Leads | Threads & bobbins September 10, 2014 at 8:20 am

    […] found this tutorial on Pinterest which seemed to be easy to follow.  There was a video and a series of pictures to […]

  • Reply mariasun September 26, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    muchas gracias,esta genial explicado ♥

  • Reply Kris Wilson October 17, 2014 at 4:06 am

    Great tutorial – easy to follow and turned out great. I have a picture but not sure how to post it.

  • Reply Stylishes Täschchen mit zwei Reißverschlüssen October 23, 2014 at 4:34 am

    […] großen Mengen eingekauft. Diese hübsche kleine Tasche jedoch ist ein Unikat. Ich kann jedem diese kostenlose Anleitung wärmstens empfehlen, denn die Bilder führen selbst Nähanfänger Schritt für Schritt zu einem […]

  • Reply Ellie October 30, 2014 at 4:24 am

    Love this double zippered pouch! Do you have any tips on how to make the top corners nice and even? When I make pouches, the top corners look uneven: the start of the zip makes a right angle, but the end of the zip goes straight up. Suggestions would be appreciated.

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books October 31, 2014 at 8:10 am

      Hi Ellie, the end of the zip should be tucked into the pouch and not sticking up. Due to the metal teeth of the zipper, it’s quite hard to get it completely flat on a flat pouch. There will be a slight curve. But it shouldn’t stick out unless the zip is too short.

  • Reply Susanne November 23, 2014 at 6:15 am

    Thank you very much for this Great tutorial. Really good explained and so easy. Love it

  • Reply Stephanie December 27, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Hi,

    Just finished the project and really appreciate your step by step instructions! Thank you so much for the tutorial. The only thing of note is on pictures 10 & 11, Fabric A should be noted as (RS) not (WS).

    Cheers,
    Stephanie

  • Reply Japanese Sewing Books | apPUNTI di viaggio January 9, 2015 at 11:56 pm

    […] qui trovate ulteriori […]

  • Reply Cindy January 17, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    This is a great little zippered pouch and I love the zipper pulls but I would caution anyone reading this tutorial about sewing over metal zippers – they can break your needle! Also, in the pics one of the zippers is longer than needed. How did you remove the excess because you can’t cut a metal zipper off like the nylon coil ones or, did you just leave it on?

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books January 20, 2015 at 8:46 am

      Hi Cindy,
      I did cut it off with a scissors, you just have to be careful and cut in between the metal teeth. Even when sewing over plastic zips, I will walk my needle over the teeth bits because my machine is not so great at going over thick layers. Even plastic zips have broken my needle!

  • Reply Michelle February 10, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Thank you for your wonderful tutorials and really clear instructions! I am looking forward to making this double zip pouch, and I like the girl’s skirt with piped pockets too. You asked for feedback about the photos. I think it would be easier to put all the pictures on the post page, I don’t mind if it takes a little longer to load. I have more trouble opening each picture one by one and then clicking on them to make each one large, then going back to the main page. Thanks again!

  • Reply 100+ Free Zipper Pouch Patterns - The Sewing Loft March 14, 2015 at 8:39 am

    […] 9. Double Zipper Pouch (pictured) […]

  • Reply Barb March 26, 2015 at 6:20 am

    Your pretty Double Zipper Pouch showed up in my Pinterest feed which linked to Pattern Pile and then to this page. I doubt that I will use your tutorial because I don’t like the small thumbnails – too much clicking back and forth between pictures. I prefer full size pictures on a blog post or a link to a pdf to a free sight,such as Google or Microsoft Drive. I do appreciate that you’ve put a lot of effort into filming this tutorial and then writing this post and also giving your efforts away for Free. You are a very kind and generous person. Thanks, Barb Scott

  • Reply dewi March 26, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    Thanks for your tutorial… its really inspire me to try by my own….

  • Reply Peps May 31, 2015 at 9:49 pm

    I was just wondering where you buy your zippers? i can’t find any nice metal zippers anywhere!
    Thanks for the great tutorial!

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books June 2, 2015 at 8:15 am

      Hi Peps,
      I have a stash of metal zippers bought from Japan, and also some shorter ones bought in a shop from Textile centre in Singapore. If I do come along any online I will link it up!

  • Reply Amanda Healey » double zipped pouch June 7, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    […] While I’ll take credit for the sewing, I won’t take credit for the pattern. If you’d like to put your own double zipped pouch, you can find great details on how to do that at japanesesewingbooks.com. […]

  • Reply DIY Double Zipped Pouch Tutorial | New Craft Works July 7, 2015 at 8:35 am

    […] HERE is the original tutorial on double zipped pouch from Japanese Sewing Books. […]

  • Reply Lilly Newbold July 19, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    what a great tutorial, very well explained I shall make more, many thanks, Lilly

  • Reply Help! I Am Afraid of Zippers July 31, 2015 at 12:53 am

    […] in clothing. No fear! Try this tutorial. She provides both a video and step-by-step instructions: Free Sewing Pattern, Tutorial and Video ? Double zip pouch | Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books a… It's easier than you think! Reply With […]

  • Reply Ann J September 14, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    This is a great tutorial. Thank you for breaking down each step. I have made quite a few of these with your tutorial and have it memorized now. Your pics and explanations are superb and concise. Truly appreciated! See finished pouch here (I made it like a wristlet) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55239532906551800/

  • Reply amy townson November 30, 2015 at 9:10 am

    Just wondered if I could do a three zip by just doing the pouch part 3 times instead of 2? Zipit on etsy is a great source of you zippers and the cheapest I have found price wise, especially for people like me that have to buy in bulk because I go through zippers like wild fire.

  • Reply leen December 19, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    Thank you for sharing this!!
    http://vrolijkbyleen.blogspot.be/2015/12/ritstasjes.html

  • Reply Mindy Dahl December 23, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Thank you for a very easy to follow tutorial. Have been looking for one, peace and happiness.

  • Reply Chris January 4, 2016 at 3:28 am

    On the double-zippered pouch, did you cut the extra zipper off before turning bag inside out or did you leave it long?

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books January 6, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      Yes, if you use a zipper that is longer than the width, cut it off before turning it inside out.

  • Reply Helen January 24, 2016 at 11:21 am

    If I wanted to make one with different dimensions, how should I adjust the lining? Is it always just 4 centimeters longer than pieces A and B? Or is it a proportion?

  • Reply julia February 16, 2016 at 11:24 am

    heyy do u have to use the lining

  • Reply Scrap buster: Wallet | We The Sewing April 23, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    […] used this tutorial from the blog ‘Japanese Sewing Blogs’. I like the design because it has an outside […]

  • Reply 38 Ingenious Fat quarter Patterns - Hobbycraft Blog May 31, 2016 at 6:19 pm

    […] Double Zip Pouch by Japanese Sewing Books […]

  • Reply 38 Ingenious Fat quarter Patterns | It's Handmade May 31, 2016 at 6:41 pm

    […] Double Zip Pouch by Japanese Sewing Books […]

  • Reply Book Review – 14 Sewing Projects to teach you how to Sew Zippers Perfectly | Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics July 2, 2016 at 9:43 am

    […] for cushions, bags, pouches and I even dared to release a tutorial on a double zipper pouch here (see my sewing tutorial on how to sew a double zipper pouch here). Sometimes I even resort to sewing zippers by hand as sewing zippers with a sewing machine is kind […]

  • Reply 38 Ingenious Fat quarter Patterns – Best Hobbies In The World July 22, 2016 at 2:34 am

    […] Double Zip Pouch by Japanese Sewing Books […]

  • Reply Lisa Schnettler September 26, 2016 at 3:11 am

    Best.tutorial.ever.

    The combination of the annotated video with the stills. Even I managed to follow it.

  • Reply Johanna September 27, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    This bag ist just what I was looking for! thank you for the detailed instructions! What size does the ouch have, once it’s finished?

  • Reply Sprucy January 7, 2017 at 11:12 pm

    Thank you so much for this. I have tried a few single zip purses and they never came out great but after following your tutorial i have managed to make something a bit more daring and it turned out beautifully. Thank you 🙂

  • Reply Kate January 8, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    Have only just found this amazing tutorial, my girls were asking for a new, back to school pencil case that had more than one pouch for pencils and colours. This was perfect. Thank you so much for the detailed tutorial, it was awesome. I made the first one today…one more tomorrow. Thanks From Sunny North Queensland Australia .

  • Reply Bridget January 31, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    Hi, I love love love the hippo fabric print you have used…any chance you could share the designer name? I’d be interested in getting some of it if at all possible

  • Reply JudyBB February 22, 2017 at 3:30 am

    Am I overlooking it? Where is the pattern? I would like to download it.
    Thank you!

  • Reply constance April 19, 2017 at 11:23 pm

    Hi,
    Thanks for the tut. I made one and I love it.

  • Reply Helen Hyland July 28, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    Thank you for this great tutorial. I have just made this pouch – it’s only the second item I’ve ever sewn! The tutorial was very easy to follow – thank you for including so much detail. I am very pleased with my finished pouch 🙂

  • Reply 16 Awesome DIY Pencil Case Tutorials August 11, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    […] Adorable Double Zipper Flat Pencil Case Tutorial […]

  • Reply Trin August 23, 2017 at 12:33 am

    My daughter is now so excited because I have promised her to make this little pouch of linen sheep fabric http://www.mylinenfabric.com/home/7-sheep-linen-fabric.html I really hope that it will look same well as yours

  • Leave a Reply to mariasun Cancel Reply