Our zipper pouch kits come with everything you need to make a waxed canvas and Pendleton® wool zipper pouch—but the fun doesn’t have to stop there! Once you’ve made your pouch, you have multiple options for further customization, including adding a stamped leather tab, a detachable leather wristlet, or even a crossbody strap.
Below you’ll find instructions for three different customization possibilities, along with supplies lists for each to make it easy for you to source exactly what you’ll need. In every case, it’s possible to add these features after your pouch is complete.
The pouch you’ll see throughout this post is our Pendleton® wool version. But these customizations work on our regular waxed canvas zipper pouches too, so you can use ’em all on either one!
How It Works
- Choose whether you want to make your zipper pouch from a kit or from scratch.
- Decide which customization(s) you’d like to add.
- Order any additional supplies from the lists below.
- Make your pouch without the customizations, using the instructions in your kit or the Zipper Pouch PDF.
- Come back to this post when you’re ready to add them.
SHOP ZIPPER POUCH KITS
Option 1: Add a Stamped Leather Tab
Whether you’re making a holiday gift for a loved one and want to add a personal touch or want to monogram your own pouch (so admirers don’t get any ideas! 😂) adding a stamped leather tab is fun and easy. It’s also a project that’s great for kiddos to help out with! Either way, we recommend practicing on scrap leather first to get the hang of it.
You Will Need
In addition to the zipper pouch kit, you will need:
- (1) ¾" x 3" Leather Tab
- (2) Small Double-Cap Rivets
- 3/32" Drive Punch + Mallet on Punching Board
- Fabric Pencil
- Quilting Ruler
- Leather Stamps Kit
- Non-rubber Mallet
- Metal Hammer (or Double-Cap Rivet Setter + Dot Anvil with Mallet to preserve roundness of rivet caps)
- Hard Setting Surface (slab of stone, metal anvil, concrete floor)
Option 2: Add a Detachable Leather Wristlet
Turn your zipper pouch into a clutch with a detachable leather wristlet! Perfect for nights out on the town—or, you know, trips to the grocery store. The swivel clip makes the wristlet detachable, so you can strap on or strap off as the feeling strikes. Just a heads up: if you plan on adding a wristlet, you’ll want to forego the leather zipper pull in your kit. The wristlet attaches to the same hole in the zipper slider, so it’s not possible to have both. You can always cut it off or use a rivet removal tool, but better to save it for another project!
You Will Need
In addition to the zipper pouch kit, you will need:
- (1) 1" 5–7 oz Leather Strip (that will be cut down to ½" wide)
- (1) Medium Double-Cap Rivet
- ½" Swivel Clip
- Leather Pen
- 3" x 18" Quilting Ruler
- Rotary Cutter + Cutting Mat
- ⅛" Drive Punch + Punching Board
- Metal Hammer (or Double-Cap Rivet Setter + Dot Anvil with Mallet to preserve roundness of rivet caps)
- Hard Setting Surface (slab of stone, metal anvil, concrete floor)
Option 3: Add an Adjustable Crossbody Leather Strap
Transform your simple zipper pouch into a beautiful crossbody purse! If you’d like to make a hands-free bag that’s the perfect size for your essentials, this customization is for you.
The crossbody strap attaches to metal D-rings on the sides of the pouch and has a buckle that makes it adjustable for your body. You could even punch additional adjustment holes to wear your pouch like a fanny pack or sling bag. Another great thing about this customization is that once you learn to make an adjustable crossbody strap, you can apply these same skills to add one to just about any bag!
You Will Need
In addition to the zipper pouch kit, you will need:
- ¾" x 3" Leather Tabs (with straight ends, sold in a 4-pack)
- (1) ¾" 5–7 oz Leather Strip (our strips are 80–100" long, which is plenty)
- (2) ¾" D-rings
- (1) ¾" Center Bar Buckle
- (5) Medium Double-Cap Rivets
- 3/32" + ⅛" Drive Punches with Punching Board and Mallet
- Leather Pen
- Quilting Ruler
- Rotary Cutter + Cutting Mat
- Craft Clips
- Metal Hammer (or Double-Cap Rivet Setter + Dot Anvil with Mallet to preserve roundness of rivet caps)
- Hard Setting Surface (slab of stone, metal anvil, concrete floor)
- ¾" Round Strap End Punch (optional)
SHOP ZIPPER POUCH KITS
About the Author
