A wrist bracelet pouch is a stylish and functional accessory that allows you to keep your essentials close at hand. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll guide you through the process of sewing your very own wrist bracelet purse with a zipper. The pouch is fully lined and uses elastic so you can comfortably slip it on and off your wrist.

Whether you're a sewing novice or an experienced enthusiast, this tutorial will provide you with clear instructions and helpful tips to create a fabulous accessory that can be used to store a key when jogging, or maybe it is a useful accessory for your kids or favorite nephew on a school trip. With the right fabric and elastic, even grumpy teenagers will like this pouch. My teenager at home wants one!

You don’t need many things to make this little purse.

• 1 piece of fabric 6 x 5 inches, preferably a sturdy fabric like cotton canvas or denim
• 1 piece of fabric 6 x 5 inches for the lining, preferably a thinner fabric (or your bracelet will become too bulky).
• A 5-inch zipper (or longer, you can trim it easily). We have a great set of 8-inch zippers in our store.
• A piece of elastic 5 inches long: I like the elastic to be in a different color, but the choice is up to you. You can use a thinner or wider piece and it can be black, white, or whatever style/color you prefer. For my wrist, a piece of elastic 4 ½ inches long was more than enough and the width of my yellow elastic was ¾ inch. The fantastic elastic we have in our store is wide enough for an adult’s wrist. For a kid’s wrist, it might be a little too wide.
• Coordinating thread
• Scissors, Sewing machine, Pins or Clips, Iron, Measuring tape, Marking tool (chalk or fabric pen)

Before you begin, gather all the materials listed above.

Using your measurements, trim your fabric to the desired size for the main body of the purse. Cut an elastic strip for the bracelet portion, ensuring it is long and elastic enough to wrap around and off your wrist comfortably. You can cut the elastic to size in step 4.

Some Madam Sew products that will make this task easier: The rotating cutting mat is a great tool to cut small pieces of fabric quickly and accurately. We also carry good quality rotary cutters and rulers in different sizes.

Place the fabric rectangle right side up. Align one of the longer edges of the fabric on the zipper tape with the teeth facing up. The right side of the fabric is facing the zipper teeth. Pin the zipper in place. Using a zipper foot on your sewing machine, stitch along the edge, close to the zipper teeth.

I used the Madam Sew adjustable zipper foot to sew the zipper to the fabric. This foot has more flexibility than a regular zipper foot. You can position the foot where you want it, without having to move the needle.

Align the zipper facing down and pin the lining in place on that same zipper edge where you’ve just sewn the outer fabric. The right side of the lining fabric is facing the wrong side of the zipper teeth. Again, stitch along the edge, close to the zipper teeth.

Repeat this step to attach the other side of the zipper to the opposite fabric’s edges (outer fabric and lining). To do this, you will temporarily have two little tubes, but you can reach the edge easily with your sewing machine to attach both edges.

Topstitching through both layers after the zipper is attached is not possible with this way of working. If you want to do that, you need four fabric pieces instead of two and you’ll have a seam in the middle, which is perfectly possible too.

Trim any excess fabric or zipper and clip the corners and thread ends for neatness.

Turn the pouch inside out. Position the elastic on the inside of the pouch, aligning the elastic end with the pouch edge. With the fabric’s right sides together, fold and sandwich the zipper ends and fabric with the elastic ends in between. The width of the end that you are folding should be about the same width as the zipper. Make sure the zipper teeth are touching each other where you will sew so you will be able to close the zipper neatly once sewn together. Pin this sandwich in place. Sew over the fabric-zipper-elastic sandwich, making sure all layers are neatly attached.

Before you repeat these folding steps for the other side, test the length of the elastic around your wrist with the pouch part. You can still cut it to size at this point.

You will now have to pull the elastic a little to get it in place. Keep the zipper open so you can turn the project right side out after you’ve sewn together this end.

If you’re having difficulty sewing over this thick pack, be sure to use a thick needle (size 80 or more) and a bulky seam jumper to tilt your presser foot to the necessary level.

Trim any excess fabric and clip the corners for neatness.

Turn the pouch right side out through the open zipper.

Congratulations!

You have successfully sewn your own wrist pouch with a zipper. This stylish and practical accessory is perfect for keeping your essentials organized while adding a touch of personal flair to your outfits. Experiment with different fabrics, colors, and patterns to create unique variations. With practice, you can customize this purse to match any style or occasion.

I’m very curious to see how you make one that fits your style and needs! You can share what you make in the Madam Sew Facebook Group or on Instagram with the hashtag #madamsew and inspire others.

Happy sewing!

An
Loves blogging for Madam Sew

Download the PDF of the full wrist pouch tutorial and save it for later.