Haberdashery Fun

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Sew.. A Curvy Zipper Pouch

in Bags and Pouches, DIY Projects on

I’ve been staring at my Geo Pop canvas fabric for months.  I love CANVAS fabric and the the bold, modern prints designed by Emmie K and from Robert Kaufman Fabrics are right up my alley. The fabric has been sitting under my monitor and I’ve had a gazillion ideas on what I should sew. I finally decided to make a versatile clutch / make-up pouch.

Curvy Clutch 2 offset

The details are in the fabric.. This is a pretty basic clutch, but the fabric and a contrast zipper make it pop. Plus, I really love the curve along the top edge!

Curvy Zip Clutch Haberdashery Fun

Curvy Zip Clutch 3 side Haberdashery Fun

The pattern is now available for purchase in my online store.

Materials:

  1. Canvas fabric for exterior
  2. Cotton fabric for lining
  3. Interfacing – try Pellon SF101
  4. 12″  or 14″ metal zipper – try Ziptit on Etsy. They have a great selection of affordable metal zippers.
  5. Disappearing fabric pen
  6. Pressing ham – optional
  7. Sewing machine and supplies
  8. Iron and ironing board
  9. Paper and pen for template

Curvy Zip Clutch Zipper Haberdashery Fun copy

A couple things to consider before we get started:

  • The top curve of the pouch is is a little tricky, so the zipper will be sewn in a little differently than my other zipper tutorials.
  • Metal zippers can be difficult to work with. I suggest lengthening the stitch length and then sewing slowly.
  • Create a hard paper template for ironing the top curve. To make the template, print 2 paper patterns and tape along the CF. Follow along the curve in the steps below.
  • This pouch has a tab at only one end  I love this feature, as it makes for a really wide pouch opening.

Curvy Zip Clutch Haberdashery Fun

Curvy Zip Clutch Close up open Haberdashery Fun copy

Cut your pieces:

  • Outside – Fuse the SF101 Interfacing to the wrong side of the cotton canvas. Cut 2 pieces.
  • Lining – Cut 2 pieces. Note – if you want an extra sturdy pouch, fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the lining as well.
  • Zipper tab – Cut 1 rectangle measuring 3″L x 2″W.

Curvy Zip Clutch HaberdasheryFun

Let’s go:

Step 1 – Use your ruler, disappearing fabric ink pen and template and mark a dashed line along the top curve 1/2″ from the top edge. Turn and fold the top edge under 1/2″ / fold under at the dashed line. Press. The template helps make sure that the top edge and side seams are even and match. Lay the 2 pieces on top of each other and make sure everything matches, especially where they meet at side seams. Re-press and adjust if needed. Repeat for the lining pieces.

Step 1 Curvy Clutch haberdasheryFun

Step 2 – Prepare the zipper – Cut the zipper  to measure 12 1/4″. Cut the bottom portion off, as you will add a tab to cover the bottom zipper stop. Fold the zipper tab rectangle in half along the center, fold each end inwards to meet at the center fold. Press with an iron. Insert the zipper tab over the raw edge of the zipper end. Lengthen the stitch length on your machine. Place into your sewing machine and stitch the zipper down. Sew very slowly over the teeth or you can break a needle.  Set zipper aside.

Step 2 Curvy Clutch

Step 3 – On the outside pouch piece, measure inwards 1/2″ from the top edge/side seam and make a mark. Measure inwards another 1/8″ and make another mark.  Repeat for the other side.

Step 3 Curvy Clutch

Step 4 – Start at the top of the zipper. Place the top metal stop at the 5/8″ mark and pin the zipper in place along the top edge. The zipper tab should end at the other 5/8″ mark. Turn and fold under the zipper tape at the top stop. Pin the zipper tape in place.

Step 5B Curvy Clutch

Step 5 – Place into your sewing aching and topstitch the zipper down with a 1/4″  seam allowance. Start stitching at the 1/2″ pen mark and stop at the other side- 1/2″ pen mark. Repeat for the other piece. Note – You do not need change to your zipper foot. Press. Use your pressing ham and press the zipper curve in place.  The sewing ham helps set a nice, smooth curve.

Step 5 Curvy Clutch

Step 6 – Repeat and now sew both lining pieces into the pouch.  Place the lining piece, wrong sides facing on the back of the pouch piece. Pin along the top edge. Place into your sewing machine and edgestitch in place with a scant 1/8″ seam allowance.  You want to catch both the outside and lining fabric with this seam.

Step 6 Curvy Clutch

Step 7 – Sew the pouch together – Open your zipper and fold in half. Fold along the zipper and also fold the zipper tab in half. Place outside pieces right side together and lining pieces right side together. Pin along the outside edge. Place into your sewing machine and first stitch the outside side seams and bottom seam together. Use a 1/2″ seam allowance. Repeat and stitch the lining side seams and bottom seam together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Leave a small 2″ – 3″ opening along the bottom lining seam. Press.

Step 7 Curvy Clutch

Step 8 – Create the corners – For one corner, twist the side seam and bottom seam to lay on top of each other. Finger press to lay flat and match at the seams. Open seam allowance. Pin. Place into your sewing machine and stitch together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Repeat for all corners.

Step 8 Curvy Clutch

Step 9 – Turn right side out through the lining opening. Press all seams.

Step 9a Curvy Clutch

Step 10 – Pin the opening at the bottom seam. Place into your sewing machine and sew opening closed.

Step 10 Curvy Clutch

Thats it! Fun right? Emmie K and Robert Kaufman just launched Geo Pop Canvas 2.. so many modern canvas options now.

Curvy Zip Clutch Main Haberdashery Fun

Curvy Zip Clutch zippers Haberdashery Fun copy

Thank you for your support and patience. The pattern is now available in my shop. Please let me know if you plan to sew a curvy zipper pouch. I love hearing from you all and look forward to seeing your finished projects.

Happy Sewing – Marni

Comments

      • Hi There,

        You can purchase the pattern in my online store. Here is the link:

        For cutting instructions:
        Outside fabric = cut 2 pieces
        Lining fabric = cut 2 pieces
        Interfacing = cut 2 pieces [ and iron to the outside fabric wrong side ]

        That’s it! Hope this helps.

        Marni

        Reply

    • Hi – thanks for stopping by. I hope to have it up in the next 2 weeks 🙂
      Marni

      Reply

  15. Love, love, love this bag using canvas fabric! I would like to make these for christmas gifts for my sisters!

    Reply

  16. Has this pattern been released? I love the size and shape of this bag and would love to make some for my sisters. Could I please have you email this pattern to me? Thanks!

    Reply

  19. Marni, I forgot to ask. Do you have a tutorial for putting in a zipper for the bag? Can you believe I used to, make suits, coats, bridal gowns, etc.? And then my car and I were hit by a train. lol It’s sad but true. So, here I am at just a wee bit past square one and moving forward at a snail’s pace.

    Reply

    • HI Kathy,

      Thanks for the request. I plan to start selling the sewing pattern in the new year. Happy Holidays. Marni

      Reply

  21. Hi
    I just bought your pattern and tried to follow the tutorial but I must be a horrible sewer cause I just don’t get some parts. Did you by any CHANCE make a MORE in depth tutorial? Please help. It just seems like some steps are missing i hate to think I paid 4.00 for nothing 🙁

    Reply

  22. I cut my zipper too short. Should the measurement be 13 1/2 inches instead of 12 1/2 inches? Thnaks!

    Reply

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