I have a fun and unique sewing project for you all today! I’m going to show you how to make your own DIY Slide Pen Pouch! This is a great way to organize your desk or just have something for the kids to keep their art supplies in. I really like the design of this little pouch because you can simply pull down the pouch in the vertical position to get access to the contents without having to dump the entire thing out. The included free pattern makes cutting out your fabric pieces a breeze. I added some interfacing to the project to give it a little bit more stability in the vertical position so it would stand up on it’s own. The boxed corners make this pouch have a flat bottom so it works great. Your imagination is the only limiting factor when using this fun pouch. I made several to use for pens, markers, colored pencils, and more. This is a simple sewing project perfect for all skill levels. If you are just starting out in your sewing journey, the included photo steps below will help you sew your own.
You’ll need three different color or print fabrics for this project. I used some fun and vibrant colors I had and I think it turned out great. You’ll need a zipper as well as some basic sewing supplies like thread, scissors or a rotary cutter, some pins, and a few other supplies I have listed below. Check out the list and let’s get started!
What You’ll Need:
- ½ yard cotton fabric in one color/pattern (I am calling this “Fabric A”)
- ½ yard cotton fabric in 2nd color/pattern (I am calling this “Fabric B”)
- ½ yard canvas or heavy cotton (home décor) fabric in one color/pattern (I am calling this “Fabric C”)
- ½ yard medium weight fusible interfacing (Some sewers will recommend a heavier weight, but as you are fusing it onto the canvas fabric, I didn’t find this necessary)
- Matching 9” or 14” zipper
- PDF Sliding Pen Case Pattern
- Matching Thread
- Zipper foot
- Fabric Marker
- Scissors
- Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, & Ruler
- Sewing Clips
- Sewing Machine
DIY Slide Pen Pouch
Start this diy slide pen pouch sewing tutorial by printing the included free pattern. Using the pattern, cut 2 pieces from Fabric “A”, 2 pieces from Fabric “C”.
You’ll also need to cut 2 pieces from the interfacing. You will not need the entire pattern for this. Measure and mark 6” up from the bottom of the pattern and only cut that area for this step.
In addition to the pieces you cut out with the pattern, you need to cut one 9” (width) x 13” (height) piece from Fabric “B”, and one 8 ½ (width) x 13 ½ (height) of the interfacing. Cut a 2″ x 2 3/4″ piece from Fabric “B” and two 2″ x 2 3/4″ pieces from Fabric “C”.
Fuse the interfacing according to the manufacturer’s instructions to the bottom of both Fabric “C” pieces and the middle of the larger piece from Fabric “B”, making sure you have a ½ border of the fabric to the interfacing.
Next on this diy pen pouch sewing tutorial, we will work on the zipper. Lay one of the pattern pieces from Fabric “A” right side facing up. Lay the zipper face up, with the pull on the right, lining the top edge of the zipper with the top edge of the piece of fabric. Fold under the edge of the left side of the zipper and pin or clip in place. Place one of the pattern pieces from Fabric “C” face down, sandwiching the zipper between the two fabric pieces, lining the top edges. Pin or clip along the top edge, stopping 1” from the left end.
Sew the zipper from the left raw edge (where you folded under the end of the zipper), stopping at the 1” mark at the right to the zipper. Fold the right end of the zipper between the fabric pieces. Stitch the end closed, making sure you don’t stitch the zipper.
Repeat for the other side of the pouch.
Now on this diy pen pouch sewing tutorial, we will work on the main portion of the pouch. Place the Fabric “A” pieces right sides together and the Fabric “B” pieces right sides together. Pin or clip the sides and the bottom (don’t sew within the square opening at the bottom corners), making sure to tuck the end of the zipper with the teeth in between the layers. Using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew the bag together, leaving a 4” turning gap on one of the sides of the Fabric “A” side, and making sure not to sew the zipper where it is tucked in.
Next, you are going to make a boxed corner. This allows your bag to “stand up.” Pinch the opening of each corner and line up the seams and clip or pin in place. Using a 1/2” seam allowance, close the opening. Trim the seams.
Pull the bag right side out through the turning gap.
Using a 1/4” seam allowance or a blind stitch, fold the edges of the gap under and sew the hole closed.
For the next step in this diy pen pouch sewing tutorial, we will put together the outside of the pouch. Fold the 9” (width) x 13” (height) piece from Fabric “A “, right sides facing, width-wise (short side). Pin or clip in place.
Using a 5/8” seam allowance, stitch together. Using a warm iron, press the seam open. Now fold the edges over so they are butting up against the edge of the interfacing and press.
Turn right side out, fold in half lengthwise, and press.
Next on this diy pen pouch sewing tutorial, we will make the tabs. Take the two 2″ x 2 3/4″ pieces cut from Fabric “C” and fold the raw edges of each piece in toward the center lengthwise.
Then fold in half widthwise to make a tab.
Sandwich one tab even with the seam and repeat on the opposite side. Pin or clip in place and using a ¼” seam allowance, top stitch all the way around, making sure the tabs are secure.
Slide the body of the bag through the outside piece of the bag. Make sure the all the top edges line up and the tabs are facing down. Using a ¼” seam allowance, top stitch all the way around through all layers. Sew a second line 3/8″ down from the first.
The last step on this diy pen pouch sewing tutorial si to make the zipper tabs.Fold and press the 2″ x 2 3/4″ piece cut from Fabric “B” like you did for the other tabs. Place the tab at the long end of your zipper and stitch all the way around.
And that’s it! Now you know how to make a diy slide pen pouch!
If you liked learning how to make this diy slide pen pouch, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, be certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
DIY Slide Pen Pouch
Sew your own fun little pen pouch. This is a fun twist on a simple and useful project!
Materials
- ½ yard cotton fabric in one color/pattern (I am calling this “Fabric A”)
- ½ yard cotton fabric in 2nd color/pattern (I am calling this “Fabric B”)
- ½ yard canvas or heavy cotton (home décor) fabric in one color/pattern (I am calling this “Fabric C”)
- ½ yard medium weight fusible interfacing
- Matching 9” Zipper
- or 14” zipper
- PDF Sliding Pen Case Pattern
- Matching Thread
Tools
Instructions
- Using the pattern, cut 2 pieces from Fabric “A”, 2 pieces from Fabric “C”.
- Cut 2 pieces from the interfacing (You will not need the entire pattern for this. Measure and mark 6” up from the bottom of the pattern and only cut that area for this step).
- Cut one 9” (width) x 13” (height) piece from Fabric “B”, and one 8 ½ (width) x 13 ½ (height) of the interfacing.
- Cut a 2″ x 2 3/4″ piece from Fabric “B” and two 2″ x 2 3/4″ pieces from Fabric “C”.
- Fuse the interfacing according to the manufacturer’s instructions to the bottom of both Fabric “C” pieces and the middle of the larger piece from Fabric “B”, making sure you have a ½ border of the fabric to the interfacing.
- Lay one of the pattern pieces from Fabric “A” right side facing up. Lay the zipper face up, with the pull on the right, lining the top edge of the zipper with the top edge of the piece of fabric.
- Fold under the edge of the left side of the zipper and pin or clip in place.
- Place one of the pattern pieces from Fabric “C” face down, sandwiching the zipper between the two fabric pieces, lining the top edges.
- Pin or clip along the top edge, stopping 1” from the left end.
- Sew the zipper from the left raw edge (where you folded under the end of the zipper), stopping at the 1” mark at the right to the zipper.
- Fold the right end of the zipper between the fabric pieces. Stitch the end closed, making sure you don’t stitch the zipper.
- Repeat for the other side
- Place the Fabric “A” pieces right sides together and the Fabric “B” pieces right sides together.
- Pin or clip the sides and the bottom (don’t sew within the square opening at the bottom corners), making sure to tuck the end of the zipper with the teeth in between the layers.
- Using a 1/2” seam allowance, sew the bag together, leaving a 4” turning gap on one of the sides of the Fabric “A” side, and making sure not to sew the zipper where it is tucked in.
- Next, you are going to make a boxed corner. This allows your bag to “stand up.”
- Pinch the opening of each corner and line up the seams and clip or pin in place.
- Using a 1/2” seam allowance, close the opening. Trim the seams.
- Pull the bag right side out through the turning gap.
- Using a 1/4” seam allowance or a blind stitch, fold the edges of the gap under and sew the hole closed.
- Fold the 9” (width) x 13” (height) piece from Fabric “A “, right sides facing, width-wise (short side).
- Pin or clip in place and using a 5/8” seam allowance, stitch together.
- Using a warm iron, press the seam open.
- Now fold the edges over so they are butting up against the edge of the interfacing and press.
- Turn right side out, fold in half lengthwise and press.
- Take the two 2″ x 2 3/4″ pieces cut from Fabric “C” and fold the raw edges of each piece in toward the center lengthwise.
- Then fold in half widthwise to make a tab.
- Sandwich one tab even with the seam and repeat on the opposite side.
- Pin or clip in place and using a ¼” seam allowance, top stitch all the way around, making sure the tabs are secure.
- Slide the body of the bag through the outside piece of the bag. Make sure all the top edges line up and the tabs are facing down.
- Using a ¼” seam allowance, top stitch all the way around through all layers. Sew a second line 3/8″ down from the first.
- Fold and press the 2″ x 2 3/4″ piece cut from Fabric “B” as you did in previous steps. Place the tab at the long end of your zipper and stitch all the way around.
- Enjoy!
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