Front Zippered Pencil Pouch- Tutorial

I made this front zippered pencil pouch for my son, Ian, for him to use at school. It is a bit different because it has the zipper on the front instead of on the edge.

This a great pouch for school, work or play!

If any of the directions are unclear, please let me know so I can try to explain further. Thanks!

~Heather

Materials:
1 metal ring, I am using an old key-chain ring I found in the laundry one day
1 zipper, at least 10" long (longer zippers can be trimmed down)
(9.5"x2.5") for above the zipper- cut 1 of the exterior fabric and 1 of the liner fabric
(9.5"x3.5") for below the zipper- cut 1 of the exterior fabric and 1 of the liner fabric
(9.5"x5.5") backing- cut 1 of the exterior fabric and 1 of the liner fabric
(1.5"x2") cut 1 for the ring tab

Directions:
1) Beginning with the fabric used above the zipper, lay your liner fabric right side up (pretty side showing), place your zipper right side up on top of the liner fabric, then place your exterior fabric right side down. Pin the top edges in place. Mark a half inch in on each edge and using a zipper foot sew between these two markings, being sure to back stitch at the beginning and ending. *It's important to leave the half inch on each edge unsewn for later*

2) Flip the exterior and liner fabrics back and iron flat.

3) Repeat numbers 1 and 2 with the fabric used below the zipper.

4) Leaving a half inch in from the edges, top stitch on each side of the zipper, back stitch at the beginning and ending.

5) With the tab fabric, fold it in half lengthwise and press, unfold and then fold each raw edge in toward the crease, fold it back in half and sew down each edge. Fold the tab in half and thread the ring on it. Top stitch the tab close to the edge of the exterior fabric only. You can place the tab anywhere you like but I put it about a half inch above the zipper.

6) Unzip the zipper partially before you do anything else. This is important so you don't accidentally sew the pouch and not be able to use it because the zipper was sewn closed!

7) Lay the zippered portion liner side facing up. Lay your 9.5"x5.5" liner fabric right side down on top of this. Pin only the liner fabrics together. Don't pin the exterior fabric!

8) On a long edge of the liner fabric mark a 2" space you will leave unsewn (this is left unsewn so you'll be able to turn it right side out later). Beginning at one of the marks back stitch and sew around the edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. When you come to the zipper, fold it back or under out of the way. Do not sew over the zipper in this step! When you see it sewn it leaves a little hole next to the zipper and liner edge. This is OK and doesn't effect the pouch at all. You probably won't even know it's there when you get done!

9) Now lay the pouch with the exterior fabric and zipper right side up. Lay your 9.5"x5.5" exterior fabric right side down on top of this. Pin only the exterior fabrics together. Sew all the way around the edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Sew over the zippers in this step too.

10) Trim up the zipper and the corners.

11) Pull the pouch right side out through the liner hole.

12) Pull the liner out through the zipper. Iron flat the hole edge and sew 1/8 inch from the edge to close it all up. Push the liner back through the zipper and put it to use!

13) Enjoy your new creation!