Version 1: Unlined
The unlined version is accessible to everyone: it can be sewn with a domestic sewing machine (and soft leather). If you have a double or triple feed machine and would like to add a lining, go to version 2 at the bottom of this tutorial.
Required materials
- 1 piece of leather measuring 30 x 40 cm - soft - between 1 mm and 1.2 mm thick
- A 20 cm zipper (6 mm mesh)
- A spool of polyester or polycotton thread (approximately 0.36 mm in diameter)
- A pair of scissors
- Double-sided adhesive tape
Video
1. Trace the pattern
Trace the pattern, mirrored, onto the grain side of the leather using a silver pencil. Then cut out the piece with a pair of scissors following the outline.
2. Apply adhesive tape
Apply double-sided adhesive tape along both lengths on the wrong side (flesh side) of the leather.
3. Position the zipper
Stick one of the lengths onto the right side of the zipper.
4. Fold down the ends of the zipper
Fold the ends of the zipper over themselves using double-sided tape so they do not interfere with sewing the pouch.
5. Sew the zipper
Sew the zipper 2 mm from the edge using the zipper foot.
6. Sew the other side
Repeat the same steps on the other side. Open the zipper so you can fold its ends over using double-sided tape and make sewing easier.
7. Sew both sides
Turn the pouch inside out (right sides together) and keep the zipper open. Match the edges of the sides and hold them in place with sewing clips. Sew both sides 1 cm from the edge.
8. Open the seams
Open the seams on each side, then sew the corners right sides together 1 cm from the edge.
9. Turn the pouch right side out
Turn the pouch right side out. The little extra: add a tassel to the zipper pull.
Version 2: With lining
Discover the version 2 of the leather pouch here: with a lining! For this version, we recommend soft, thin leather and a good sewing machine. You will need fabric for the lining in addition to the materials required for version no. 1.
Video
1. Trace the pattern
Cut out the pattern (no. 2). Trace it onto a piece of leather and onto the lining. Unlike the unlined version, here we have two separate main pieces.
2. Cut the pieces
Using a craft knife or a pair of scissors, cut out the leather and lining pieces.
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3. Make the zipper ends
Using double-sided tape, stick the P3 pieces to each end of the zipper, at the mesh stop.
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Fold the P3 pieces over the wrong side of the zipper.
Sew the two P3 pieces 2 mm from the edge.
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4. Sew the zipper
Place the zipper on the top of the P1 leather piece, right sides together. Center the zipper on the P1 piece (there should be about 1 cm left on each side).
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Then, place the right side of the P1 lining piece on the wrong side of the zipper. Align it carefully with the P1 leather piece.
Hold everything in place with sewing clips.
Sew 1 cm from the edge (only the top length).
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Place the P1 pieces (leather and lining) on the same side, then topstitch 3 mm from the edge.
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Do the same with the P2 pieces (leather and lining) on the other side of the zipper.
5. Sew the body of the pouch
Open the zipper.
Place the P1 leather piece and P2 leather piece on the same side, right sides together. On the other side, place the P1 lining piece and P2 lining piece right sides together.
Carefully match the edges and hold everything in place with sewing clips.
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Start by sewing the sides of the pouch using the zipper foot to make sewing easier around the zipper.
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Then, sew the bottoms. Be careful to leave a 10 cm opening in the lining so you can turn the pouch right side out at the end.
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6. Sew the corners
Open the seams on each side and sew the corners of the leather part and the fabric part. Sew 1 cm from the edge.
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7. Turn the pouch right side out
Turn the pouch right side out through the 10 cm opening left in the lining.
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8. Close the opening
All that remains is to sew the opening of the lining.
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You're finished!
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Other leather pouch versions
Discover our other leather pouch versions:
A flat rectangular pouch:
A round pouch:
