How To Make a Zip Pouch From a Reusable Shopper

Sharing is caring!

Like anyone who enjoys shopping, I have amassed a number of reusable shoppers. I have so many that it was time to upcycle some of them. So here’s how to make this easy zip pouch.

While reusable shoppers are handy and can be used to carry things like lunches, library books or what have you, enough is enough already. I have so many, it’s not funny. Previously, I upcycled some shoppers into tissue holders. You can read about that here. I can’t tell you enough how handy those tissue holders are. They hold their shape and I have them everywhere – in my purse, in the car, in my desk at school and my kids all have them in their backpacks. 

Some Handy Uses for a Zip Pouch

A zip pouch is so handy for so many reasons. You could always use a zip pouch.  Here are a number of uses for a zip pouch:

• My kids each use one to keep earbuds, charging cords and portable chargers/power banks altogether – this is great when travelling.
• You can keep toiletries, makeup or feminine hygiene products in a zip pouch – also great when travelling or out and about.
• I use a zip pouch to keep my GPS and charging cable together in my car.
• A small zip pouch makes a great pencil case.
• I use a small zip pouch for my crochet hooks.
• I use a zip pouch to keep notions in all the time – tape measure, small scissors, stitch markers, etc. This is especially great when you take a project on the go with you and you need to keep all these notions together in a handy zip pouch.
• I can also put a small crochet or knitting project in a larger zip pouch for when travelling or out and about and I need something to do while waiting for my kids (think amigurumi!)
• I keep all of our passports together in a zip pouch – again, great for travelling and you need to have important documents handy and all together.

There are just so many uses. You can make a zip pouch in any size you want. The only defining parameter is the zipper. Once you make one, you’ll find so many uses that you’ll end up making a whole bunch of them.

Supplies Needed to Sew a Zip Pouch

In addition to the reusable shopper, you just need some basic sewing supplies.

Step by Step Directions to Sew a Zip Pouch

1. Cut your reusable shopper into 2 squares or rectangles. The size you cut depends on how big or small you want the pouch to be.  I had a stash of zippers so I made mine to fit the zippers. The cut shopper needs to be 1.5 inches longer than the zipper.  So if you have a 6-inch zipper, the reusable shopper needs to be cut down so that it is 7.5 inches across. Both pieces of the shopper need to be the same size.
   TIP:  if your reusable shopper has a neat design on it, you may wish to try and cut it so that you can use that design.
   
2. Open the zipper and centre it along the top of one of the pieces – right sides together. Sew one half of the zipper to the right side of your shopper. This is where the zipper foot comes in handy. This is basically to just attach it to the shopper – no one will see this stitching so don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect.
   TIP:  I find it easier to sew when I am not near the pull part of the zipper (it can be big and can get in the way of your sewing). So I start sewing the top of the zipper (with the pull at the bottom) and when I near the bottom, I zip it up so that the pull is out of the way.
   
3. Sew the other half of the zipper to the other piece of your shopper. Don’t forget to attach it to the right side and the top of the shopper.
4. With the right sides facing up, you will see the zipper in the middle and the pouch is fanned out because it’s not attached yet. Next, you will top stitch the shopper, next to the zipper. This adds a nice finished look.
   
   
5. OPTIONAL:  cut a piece of the fabric handle – about 1.5 – 2 inches long. This can be used to create a pull tab.  Fold it in half longways.
   
6. Unzip the pouch half way (trust me, you want to do this). With the right side together and the zipper at the top, you will then sew around the perimeter of the pouch.
   If you are using the optional pull tab – decide on which side you are going to place it on. I prefer it on the side for when the pouch is closed. Sandwich the tab (folded in half don’t forget), in between the 2 pieces of shopper. You won’t be able to see the tab as it will be “inside” and hidden. I like to position it as close to the zipper – so as high up – as possible.
   
   
   You will have anywhere from a 1/2 inch to a 1/4 inch seam allowance to sew around (it just depends on how centred the zipper was. It’s quite forgiving, so no need to worry about it. Sew down one side, across the bottom and then up on the other side.
   
7. Clip the bottom 2 corners, as well as the top 2 corners, close to the zipper.
   
8. OPTIONAL:  If you’d like to add a gusset, line up the bottom seam with the side seam and lay flat. Figure out how big a gusset you want and sew across, forming a triangle. Do the same on the other side. I usually eyeball the first one, then measure it so that the other side is the same.
   
      
   
9. Turn the pouch inside out (now you’ll be glad it was unzipped halfway). Ease the corners out. You could use a point turner, but be careful to not poke it through the pouch corners as this type of material is no match against a point turner and you may end up pushing it all the way through.
   

Here’s what one made with a gusset looks like. I like how it stands up on its own.

There you have it! With basically the cost of thread and a zipper, you have a zip pouch. The zipper part may be a bit tricky – it took me a few projects before I got the hang of it – the zipper foot really helps you get close without interfering with the zipper.

Notice that the reusable shopper does not fray so you don’t have to finish the edges! I will say, however, that once you sew it, those holes will always be there. So if you make a mistake and have to pick out some stitches, you’ll see the holes – but if you are sewing pretty close to them, you probably won’t notice it at all.

I’ve made so many of these zip pouches and use them on a regular basis. They are so handy! Depending on the bag size, you could probably get a couple out of one reusable shopper. This is definitely a project that goes quickly when you work in an assembly line manner – meaning, cut up a bunch of reusable shoppers and sew them all at once. Believe me – you’ll find so many uses for them.

Want to remember how to upcycle those reusable shoppers into this easy sew zip pouch? Be sure to save this to your favourite Pinterest board.