How to sew zippered pockets for bags

Maybe you are not used to using faux leather/vinyl for sewing bags, but it is very useful to have some on hand. It will help you sew quickly and easily beautiful zippered pockets.

I am sharing with you two ways to sew pockets and the best part is that you can sew them when you have some spare time (you can make 10 in a day!) and then you will finish your bag in record time. All you have to do is to applique the pockets  on the lining!

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These are the two pockets.
Use a beautiful vinyl, about 1.5 mm (about 1/16’’) thick. If you don’t have a teflon foot (it helps you sew easily on vinyl), use the walking foot.

Zippered Pocket #1

Here is what you need:
Vinyl/faux leather/leather/cork: 9’’ x 9’’
Zipper: 7’’ or longer
Double sided adhesive tape
Draw a ½’’ x 7’’ rectangle on the back of vinyl. Cut out the rectangle.

Add adhesive tape on the back of vinyl, close to the edges of cutout rectangle. Remove the paper backing of the adhesive tape.

Turn the vinyl right side up. Center the vinyl opening over the zipper. Sew close to the edges of the opening, securing the zipper in place.

Trim excess zipper if necessary.

Turn the piece wrong side up. Add adhesive tape along the edges of the vinyl; remove the paper backing.

Place the pocket, right side up, in the desired place on the lining panel. Stitch close to the edges of pocket. Double the stitching, sewing at ¼’’ from the previous stitch.
The pocket is done!

NOTE
Always try to keep the adhesive tape out of the seams, it gums the needle and skipped stitches could occur.

Double Pocket #2

You need:
Vinyl/faux leather/leather/cork: 9’’ x 12’’
Zipper: 7’’ or longer
Double-sided adhesive tape
Turn the vinyl piece wrong side up. On the center draw a ½’’ x 7’’ rectangle. Cut out the rectangle.

Add adhesive tape on the back of vinyl, close to the edges of cutout rectangle. Remove the paper backing of the adhesive tape.

Turn the vinyl right side up. Center the vinyl opening over the zipper. Sew close to the edges of the opening, securing the zipper in place. Trim excess zipper if necessary.

Turn the piece wrong side up and add adhesive tape along bottom edge and half of the left and right edges. Remove the paper backing of the adhesive tape.

Bring the top edge of the piece down and align it with the bottom edge; keep the vertical edges aligned as well. Finger press along the edges to keep the layers together.

On one of the sides (it does not matter which one) add adhesive tape along the three edges as shown. Remove the paper backing.

Place the pocket on the lining in the desired place.

Sew the pocket in place- see the red marking lines. Your double pocket is done.

Do you want to download this tutorial in pdf form? Click below.

Bag and pouch pattern ideas

Happy sewing!