Add a zippered pocket to anything : Olivia Jane Handcrafted

A zippered pocket is such a useful addition to any bag! Did you know they are also incredibly easy to insert? This tutorial will show you how to do just that, and you will be an expert in no time!

You’ll need just a couple of things:

the fabric you want to put a zipper pocket into
a zipper the length of you want your pocket opening (I’m using a 7″ metal zipper)
a cut of fabric for your pocket (you’ll need less than a fat quarter!)
a scrap of interfacing (I’m using SF 101)
a marking tool, ruler and cutting tools

To demonstrate this technique, I’m installing a zipper on the front of my Basic Drawstring Bag. It would also make a great addition to my Mosaic Heart Tote, but you can use this to add a pocket to whatever you need! I am using my Janome Skyline S9 with a walking foot for the whole of this tutorial. That’s right! You don’t even need a zipper foot.

Let’s get started!

Cut two pieces of interfacing 1.5″x 1″ longer than your zipper. I cut a piece 1.5×8″. Cut two matching pocket bags. They should be at least 1.5″ longer than your zipper, and you will need at least 1″ above wherever your zipper is at. I cut two pieces measuring 11×7.5″.

Mark the placement of your zipper opening on the outer fabric. I find it useful to crease the fabric where I want the zipper to be, and then I have an accurate way to tell where to put my interfacing.

Place one strip of interfacing on the wrong side of your outer fabric. Center it over where the zipper will be placed, and fuse according to manufacturer’s instructions. Repeat this on the wrong side of one pocket piece. The interfacing needs to be placed 1/2″ under the top of the pocket piece.

Find the center of your interfaced section on the pocket piece and draw a line that is 1/4″ longer than the teeth of your zipper. I marked a line 7 1/4″ for my 7″ zipper. Now mark two matching lines 1/4″ above and below that line. You will now have three lines. Mark little triangles that reach from the outer corners to about 1/4″ in on the center line. See photo.

Align your pocket piece and outer fabric right sides together so that the interfaced sections are at the same area since you will be sewing through all layers in the next step. I used clover clips to keep my fabrics still and in line. Sew around the outside rectangle that you drew, overlapping by several stitches once you reach the beginning. All the inner lines are cut lines.

Cut through all layer at the center lines until you reach the triangle points, then very carefully clip along those diagonal lines to the corners. Do not clip your stitches.

Turn your pocket pieces toward the inside through the whole you just cut, and press well.

Align your zipper within the rectangular opening, and begin stitching somewhere in the middle. You will want to use a 1/8″ seam allowance since you are sewing close to the folded edge of the fabric. When you get close to the zipper pull, put your needle down, raise your presser foot, and carefully open the zipper so that you can stitch unencumbered by the bulk of the pull. You can then close it again when you need to.

Place your remaining pocket piece right sides together with the sewn pocket piece, and pin the corners. You will now sew all the way around the pocket pieces with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Move the main fabric out of the way as you sew.