Easy Monogrammed Pouch Tutorial - Free Pattern!

Create a zippered pouch to give as a gift or to organize your items. This project is designed for adding quilting and a monogram, boosting the luxury. I think you’ll enjoy how simple this project is to make and personalize. This project pairs well with most of the Sallie Tomato pattern line!

Today's project features velveteen with the addition of Faux Leather for a monogram. Add your choice of lining fabric to make the interior as soft or as glamorous as you wish. The finished size of your pouch will be about 7-1/2" (19.1cm) wide and 7-1/2" (19.1cm) long. Let’s get started!

PLEASE NOTE: The free pattern associated with this blog is featured in the 2024 Advent Box.  All purchasers of the 2024 Advent Box will have the pattern with the yardage, cutting instructions and templates (if applicable). If you do not have the free pattern for this blog, it will be released in July 2025.

MATERIALS & SUPPLIES

• Main Fabric: Velveteen
• Contrast Fabric: Cork, Faux Leather, Microsuede or other nonwoven
• Lining: your choice
• Fusible fleece - optional
• Scissors
• 40wt Polyester Thread
• Sewing Clips
• Basting Tape or basting spray
• Erasable Marker or chalk
• Stiletto
• Zipper foot or Teflon Foot
• Hot glue or permanent craft glue

Watch the full length video tutorial here:

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut out desired monogram using the following instructions:

• Print out the included alphabet from pages 3-6. Cut out the desired letter template. 

• With Wrong Sides Up, place the paper template on the Wrong Side of Contrast and trace around the template.

• Cut out the Monogram following the traced lines.

• Optional: With Right Sides Up, layer each Main Fabric Piece A on a Fleece Piece A, aligning cut edges. Baste edges with 1/8" (3mm) seam allowance. Quilt desired design. 

• With Right Sides Up, center a Monogram 1-3/8” (3.5cm) up from the bottom edge on one Main Fabric Piece A. Topstitch in place using 1/8" (3mm) seam allowance. Or, add a machine embroidery design or monogram of your choice.  

• With Right Sides Together, center the zipper at the top edge of one Main Piece A. Align the zipper tape edge along the raw edge of Piece A. Baste zipper in place using 1/8" (3mm) seam allowance, beginning and ending the seam 3/8" (10mm) from the ends of the zipper. 

• With Right Sides Together, place one Lining Piece D over Main Piece A with the zipper, aligning top and side edges and sandwiching the zipper between the layers. Sew together with 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance, beginning and ending the seam 1/4" (6mm) from the ends of the zipper. Snip into the fabric seam allowances, up to but not though the stitches. Do not cut into the zipper tape. 

• Press the Lining away from the Main Piece A and zipper. Optional: On the Right Side of the Lining, topstitch 1/8" (3mm) from the seam, securing the seam allowance to the Lining. Begin and end topstitching 3/8" (10mm) in from the zipper ends. 

• Repeat steps 4-6 to attach the remaining Pieces A and D to the opposite edge of the zipper. Unzip the zipper about halfway. 

• With Main fabrics Right Sides Together, align the bottom and side edges. Sew the Main fabrics together with 1/4" (10mm) seam allowance along sides and bottom edge.  

Use a zipper foot to sew next to the zipper ends more easily.

• Repeat step 7 for the Lining. Begin with a 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance at the top edge and gradually increase to 1/2" (12mm) seam allowance near the bottom. Leave about 3" - 4" (7.6cm- 10.2cm) unsewn along the bottom edge of the Lining for turning the pouch later. As you approach the top of the Lining, gradually decrease the seam allowance to 1/4" (6mm).

• Finger press the seam allowances open. At one end of the zipper, center the side seams over the zipper coil and align all raw edges. Sew across the zipper end with 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance, securing all the layers. Repeat for the opposite end of the zipper. 

• Angle trim the bottom corners to reduce bulk, do not cut into the seam stitches. Trim the Lining seam allowance to 1/4" (6mm) wide; do not trim the seam allowance from the 4" (10.2cm) unsewn section of the Lining.  

• Turn the bag RSO by pushing the fabric through the opening in the Lining. Gently shape the corners. Topstitch the opening in Lining closed with 1/8" (3mm) allowance. Smooth the Lining inside pouch, folding the top zipper edge into the pouch, creating a recessed zipper. Press the top fold edges. Optional: Stitch in the “well” or “ditch” of the side seams to hold the recessed zipper in place.

• Create an optional tassel for the zipper pull. Visit youtube.com/sallietomato to watch a video tutorial.

• On the wrong side of Piece B Tassel, mark a horizontal line 1/2" (1.2cm) down from the top edge. Using a rotary cutter or scissors, cut vertical lines spaced 1/4" (6mm) apart (or 1/8" (3mm) apart, if you prefer finer fringe), up to the 1/2" (1.2cm) mark.  

• Thread Piece C Connector through the zipper pull opening. Fold the Connector in half, Wrong Sides Together, matching the short raw edges. Glue in place.

• Place Tassel Wrong Side Up, then position the Connector on the left edge of the Tassel aligning bottom fringe ends. Glue in place.  

• Wrap and glue the tassel to itself along the top edge; wrap as tight as possible. 

I hope you enjoy this easy-to-personalize project, and if you decide to make it, tag us @sallietomatopatterns so we can see too! Let us know if you have any project requests in the comments below! 

Have a creative day!