If you’re new to my 52 zippers project, you can read the backstory, see all the zipper pouches, and download basic zipper pouch instructions here.

So this week I made a zipper pouch for my youngest son to hold his colored pencils. I wanted something that would open wide enough to expose all of the pencils so he could see and choose colors easily instead of rooting around in a dark pouch.

I considered several pouches that fit the bill, but I chose this one because it a) looked super easy and b) I felt like making something easy and without Peltex, and c) the German name for this pattern is Schlafsäckchenmäppchen, which made me laugh. Hahaha! The pattern is a free pattern by Aylin-Nilya.

The outer fabric has cats, and dark blue, of course. Perfect for my cat-obsessed youngest. I lined it with an old favorite Denyse Schmidt print from her Chicopee line.

I had to actually order a zipper for this one–it takes an extra-long zipper (I bought a 28″ one) as you only use one side of the zipper and fold it in half. So I will very likely make another one of these pouches for my daughter, seeing as how I now have another half zipper ready to use.

All in all, I think this might have been the quickest pouch I’ve made to date. It definitely took me less than a half hour to sew! And it’s pretty cute! I was a little offput by the weird shape it has when it’s closed at first, but it turns out that bit that sticks up funny is the perfect place to grab the pouch and go.

Zipper pouch specs:

  • Size: As written in tutorial, but added 1″ to length
  • Zipper: 28″

See you back here next time with another zip pouch!