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Tutorial: How to Add a Zipper to a Crochet Pouch

I have been crocheting tons of pouches lately and I love lining them with a coordinating fabric and finishing them with a zipper.  I'm not an expert at sewing by any means, but this method works for me.  I use it every time and I am always happy with the results.  I hope you enjoy this tutorial!

In the pictures shown in this tutorial, I am lining the Lee Change Purse.  But, this method will work for any pouch...just adjust the fabric and zipper sizes.

Materials needed- for the fabric lining & zipper (if desired):

• 5" zipper
• Fabric- 2 pieces that are roughly 5" high by 6"wide


•Needle & thread
•Sewing machine (optional)
•a few ball head straight pins


Finished size:
• Lee Change Purse- 4" high by 5" wide

Making the Lining:

1. Cut out 2 pieces of fabric that are about 1/2-inch larger around than your pouch.





2. Lay one piece of the fabric, right side up, on your worktop.  Place the zipper, right side up, on top of the fabric, centered.





3. Sew along the top edge of the zipper.  Use a zipper foot if you can, it's so much easier than using a regular foot like I did.







4. Flip the fabric over and fold the zipper back, so that it is laying flat on the wrong side of the fabric.



5.  Now sew along this side.  You can sew along the same line you just made.  The right side of the fabric will look like this now.



6.  Lay your other piece of fabric right side up.  Then, place the zippered piece on it so that the right side of the zipper is facing up and is lined up along the top edge of the right side-facing fabric piece.


7.  Sew along the top edge of the zipper.



8. Again, flip open the fabric and sew along the zipper again.





After you sew, the inside of the fabric will look like this.



9.  Fold the fabric closed so that the zipper lays flat and secure it closed we a few pins along the zipper line.



10. Lay your pouch on top of the fabric.  Line the top of the pouch up with the zipper.  



11. Trace a line around the pouch using a pen or pencil.



12. Pin the fabric together.



13.  Sew just inside (maybe about 1/8" inside) the line you just traced on the fabric.  It does not have to be perfect so don't stress out about it.



14. Trim away the extra fabric.



15.  Remove your pins and see how the lining fits inside of your pouch.  If it seems too bulky/big, sew another line inside the one you sewed before and then trim away extra fabric again.  If it fits just right, then proceed on to attach it to your pouch.



16. Use a few pins to hold the lining to the pouch while you sew it in.  Use a needle and thread for this part.  You are going to hide your stitches in between the crochet and the fabric (where the wrong sides touch).  



Work right along the zipper line.  In the inside of the pouch, you will see the inside of your stitches along the zipper line.  On the outside of the pouch you will not see any stitches.


Go from the inside zipper line, out to under the row of slip stitches on the pouch.



When coming back the other way, go under the row of slip stitches, making sure the thread will be hidden when you pull tight, to the zipper line. 



Continue this around.  Make sure you pull each stitch tightly so that the lining is completely secured to the outer pouch.  When you have gone all the way around, secure the thread with a few small knots that are hidden under the crochet portion.  Cut the thread.  Remove the pins. And enjoy!  You did it :)


Here is what it looks all finished :) 






Skein and Hook Copyright © 2014

The pattern and photographs contained in this document are the property of Skein and Hook.  This pattern is available for personal use only.  This pattern may be printed for your personal use only.  You may not in any form copy, redistribute, sell, or represent this pattern or photos as your own.  

Please do not copy this post and claim it as your own.  Please do not republish photos from this post and claim them as your own.  

You are welcomed to sell the items that you make from this pattern- please just credit me as the designer with a link to this post.

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