Before I show you how to make an easy zip up document pouch, let me explain the Ella vs Ali part. If you follow me on Instagram (you totally should) you will know that I have started a challenge with fellow crafty momma Ali, from Earth to Ali. Every month until the end of the year we will be challenging each other to create something and you guys can see who completed the task the best…this month was Spring themed and we had to make something using scrap material, which we both have tons of (we could only use half a meter though)

We had asked our followers on our  instastories to weigh in and tell us  if they wanted us to do practical or decorative and while Ali’s followers opted for decorative , mine wanted practical…. so in comes this easy zip up document pouch…

So here goes, my first entry into a Ella VS Ali challenge, Ali designed our logo, how cool is that!!!!

 

How to sew an easy zip up document pouch

You will need:

Scrap material

A zipper, mine is 30cm

needle and thread / sewing machine (I did this by hand, but it takes mere minutes on a sewing machine, like you will use way more time putting cotton in the needle than sewing)

Scissors

 

What you do

Fold your material double and cut  out the size of an A4 book with at least 5cm excess all around (I went for more so you could see it better in my pics)

Place the zippers  (top side/proper side/you know what I mean) against the top edge of the material with it’s “good side” up (flip I need to learn the real terms, but I fee like you get me, if not, look at the picture)

Sew along the top edge then do the same on the other side so that the printed edges of material is sewn on to the two edges of the zip creating a loop of material you could zip open and closed

 

Lay your loop of material down flat and adjust to where you want the zip positioned, I like it with just a little material above it.

Sew down both sides , like in picture, at this point you can trim or use anti fraying liquid on the material.

Open the zip and turn the bag inside out. The uses for this bag is ENDLESS!!!

Fill it with small gifts like I did and gift it to someone special, my cousin has not been feeling too well so I filled it with adult colouring books , crayons and sheet masks to make her “stay in bed” time a little more bearable.

If you make it smaller it works as a makeup bag or pencil case and if you make it bigger it makes a good reusable gift bag. I’m considering doing them as Aidan’s party packs next year because the no sew material party packs I did this  year were such a hit

So what do you think of my  easy zip up document pouch? Do go over to Ali’s blog to see what she did with her fabric scraps and comment below what material you think we should tackle next…glass, wood, I don’t know, sand, wax, flour even, go wild….