Do you love zippers like I do?  If you do, this is the project for you.  As soon as I learned about the Vintaj altered blanks, I was itching to transform them into zipper pulls for pouches and other sewing projects.  It’s such an easy way to add a custom touch to a handsewn item.

First I embossed a selection of altered blanks in different sizes and shapes.  I used Sizzix embossing folders for some of the zipper pulls. 

For others, I used the Vintaj DecoEmboss Dies.  The Vintaj dies result in a crisper embossed image but both turned out well.  Then I used the reliefing block to highlight the raised portions.

I took my pliers and bent a head pin at a 90 degree angle at the tip.

Then I slid my zipper pull onto the head pin.  After that, I added some spare beads left over from other projects, and secured the end of head pin to my zipper by turning it into a tight loop.

There are so many possibilities!  I chose this button embossed design to coordinate with a Japanese Alphabet print I planned to use for a project.  It features a button design amidst the letters.

I’m not going to explain the general construction of a zipper pouch here but I would like to explain how I used the Sizzix Bigz L Die-Borders, Ribbon and Scallopto embellish the pouch. 

I used the die to cut two strips of bamboo-rayon blend Xotic Felt in Caribbean Surf provided by Commonwealth Felt.   I then sewed the felt strip into the seams of my pieced pouch front and embellished with a cross stitch on my machine.  I think it adds a really professional looking touch to the pouch.

I hope you enjoy making some fun zipper pulls!

Supplies http://www.sizzix.com/product/29904/vintaj-tool-5-ergo-round-nose-pliers-w-cutter http://www.sizzix.com/product/29906/vintaj-metal-reliefing-block http://www.sizzix.com/product/29899/vintaj-arte-metal-findings-1-5-head-pin-set-of-24 http://www.sizzix.com/product/29886/vintaj-natural-brass-altered-blanks-22mm-small-rectangle-set-of-4 http://www.sizzix.com/product/29887/vintaj-natural-brass-altered-blanks-25mm-small-circle-set-of-4 http://www.sizzix.com/product/657865/sizzix-decoemboss-die-lowercase-typewriter http://www.sizzix.com/product/657655/sizzix-decoemboss-die-butterfly-swirls http://www.sizzix.com/product/657660/sizzix-decoemboss-die-woodland-birds http://www.sizzix.com/product/657672/sizzix-textured-impressions-embossing-folders-2pk-vintage-buttons-set http://www.sizzix.com/product/657671/sizzix-textured-impressions-embossing-folders-2pk-sewing-measuring-tape-set
Zippers from http://www.etsy.com/shop/zipit
Felt from http://www.commonwealthfelt.com/shopexd.asp?id=231&bc=no (sponsored for Sizzix projects)