I originally posted this tutorial on Craftster in 2004.
Step 1: Determine what size you want for your pocket and cut 1 pocket facing and 1 pocket back. Interface if desired. Place pocket facing on top of the bag lining piece you want – right sides together.
Step 2: Draw a rectangle for your zipper opening on the zipper facing. Draw a line through the center and ‘arrow heads’ at the ends.
Step 3: Stitch the pocket facing to the bag lining around the zipper opening rectangle you drew in step 2.
Step 4: Remember that center line and ‘arrowhead’ lines you drew? Cut on those lines.
Step 5: Pull the pocket facing to the wrong side of the bag lining through the cut you made in step 4.
Step 6: Now the bag lining and pocket facing are wrong sides together. Press the zipper facing and now you have a rectangle shaped hole in the facing.
Step 7: Baste, glue, tape, pin your zipper in the opening. I use wash-away double-sided tape.
Step 8: Sew your zipper in to place. Your stiching will go through the pocket facing, zipper, and the bag lining piece.
Step 9: Pin your pocket back to the pocket facing (don’t pin it to the bag lining piece if you do not want the stitching to show on the lining).
Step 10: Stitch the pocket back to the pocket facing all the way around.
Step 11: Enjoy your new zippered pocket!
You make it look so easy! I know I’ll probably find a way to mess up, but I think I need to try this someday. Pockets are awesome!!!
This is a lovely tutorial. I have not sewn anything in my life, unless you count the disastrous attempts during my schooling years. Your tutorials inspired me to head out and buy some needles!! (Er… no, not voodoo related.)
Such a clever way to have a flat, neat zipper pocket. It turns out much better than my last zippered pocket–I’ll definitely have to try this next time! Thanks for the tutorial