How to sew a box bottom zipper pouch

Inside: learn how to sew a box bottom zipper pouch with this sewing tutorial. A simple add on to my zipper pouch tutorial to make a zipper pouch that stands up with a box bottom. Add on to many different bags and pouches.

I’ve been reworking some some of my old zip pouch tutorials and today I’m giving you an add on tutorial. This box bottom tutorial can be added to any zipper pouch or tote bag to add a flat bottom option to your bag. This is an add on tutorial and you will need to refer back to my basic zipper pouch tutorial to get this zipper pouch started.

Flat bottom zipper pouches-

You may recognize these zip pouches. I actually took the three zipper pouches from my lined pouch tutorial earlier this week and added a box bottom to all three. It really makes for a cute little pouch and I love that this bag can stand on it’s own.

These zip pouches don’t even have fusible fleece in them. Fusible fleece makes an even more structured little pouch and is easy to add. All of these box bottoms are two inches, but you can make it as narrow or wide as you want. I will show you how to adjust this width below in the tutorial.

Here are some examples of projects where I have used this box bottom sewing technique.

Box bottom sewing video tutorial

Here is a video tutorial showing you how to create this cute little box bottom. If you can’t see the video, please check to see if you have an ad blocker running. There is also a photo tutorial below.

How to sew a box bottom to a zip pouch

Ok! So as mentioned above you will need to sew a lined zip pouch {or tote bag} to the point where your project is ready to turn.

Take any one corner and flatten it so that the two seams are stacked on top of each other and the corner is at a point.

Open up the seam allowance on the top and the bottom.

You will measure in from the point and the distance marked will the half the total box bottom. If you want a 2″ bottom, you will mark 1″ from the point. This 1″ marking is perfect for zipper pouches. For a tote bag you may want a larger box bottom.

Use a straight stitch on your sewing machine to sew at this marking. Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and the end of your stitching. Repeat with all four corners of the zipper pouch.

Clip the corners off. Turn the bag right side out and push out the corners. You can see here that the box bottom is 2″ wide

Just like with a zipper pouch you will need to sew closed the hole in the lining to finish the pouch. I love the cute corners on this pouch though! Time for you to try now!