How to make a zip bag the easy way!

Is your makeup bag worn out or do you need a quick gift to make? You can make a new zip pouch quickly. No tears, I promise. ;)
You probably have some cute fabric already in your stash. You don't need a lot, just a few large scraps. 

Materials: 

• 2 pieces of outer fabric measuring 7" wide by 9" long
• 2 pieces of inner fabric measuring 7" wide by 9" long
• Fusible fleece interfacing for stability
• 12-14" Zipper ( I prefer a longer zipper, it makes it easier)
• Pins or clips
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread and bobbin
• Zipper foot
• Chopstick or sad unsharpened pencil for poking out corners
• Labels if you want to add a personal touch
• Iron and board
• Seam ripper... just in case
• 
  

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Begin by cutting the fabrics to your desired size. I gave the dimension above of my bag, but you can make yours taller or wider if you want. That's the best part of sewing, you get to make it unique. 
Cut the fusible fleece a tad smaller than the size of your lining. You can apply the interfacing to the wrong side of your lining or outer fabric. I chose to apply it to the lining for this bag. Follow the instructions on on how to fuse it to your fabric.

Once the interfacing has been added, we'll attach the zipper. 
Don't be scared, zippers are really easy and if you mess up... you have that trusty seam ripper.

Don't you love it when your manicure matches your fabric?

Lay the lining right side up. Place the zipper with the teeth facing up. Zipper pull on the left.

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Lay the outer fabric Wrong Side Up, on top of zipper. Both fabrics are at the top of the zipper tape. Use clips to keep everything sandwiched in place. Take over to your machine.

This is what my zipper foot looks like. Yours might look different. Consult your manual on how to attach the foot. 
Adjust your needle position to the middle. This is important, you don't want to break a needle. Ask me how I know this. Sigh...

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I use clips to keep the 3 layers secure. But, I adjust the layers manually while I'm sewing the zipper in.

Sandwich your fabric and zipper together.

I start sewing forward a couple stitches, then backstitch and go forward again. Take it slowly. Your foot will keep the needle away from the zipper teeth, but go slowly just to be safe. I readjust my layers as I go if needed. Sew until the end and backstitch a few stitches. 

When you're done. Get your other 2 pieces of fabric and we'll sew those onto the other side of the zipper tape.

Lay your lining face up and match it with the lining piece that has been sewn to the zipper tape, right sides together.
Take your outer fabric and lay it face down matching with the outer piece that has been sewn to the zipper. Both fabrics should be aligned at the top of the zipper. You'll have one massive sandwich. Don't taste it though, yuck! Take the sandwich to the machine and sew the zipper side just like you did with the first half. Backstitching at both ends. Flip the fabric pieces over so you see the zipper teeth, it should look like mine below.

Iron the fabric making sure to pull it away from the zipper. Don't iron the zipper teeth, they might melt.

Your bag should lay nice and flat. Ready for top stitching.

 Now you're going to top stitch the zipper. This keeps the fabric out of way of the zipper teeth and gives it a nice finish. I keep my zipper foot on for this part. Adjust your stitch length to a 3.0 or 3.5mm. Top stitching is a decorative stitch, so try your best to make it straight. Go slow if you need to. After you're done, give yourself a high five! You just rocked that zipper.

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This is an optional step. If you have some labels that are handmade or store bought, attach one now. It will give your bag a polished look. Add your label at this point because it's easier and you don't really have to think about the exact position. Just eyeball it.

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Apply your label to the middle of the inside of the bag. Topstitch around the label being careful to only sew the lining piece. Move the outer fabric out of the way.

Open your zipper up, but not all the way. Keep the zipper inside the bag area, 1 inch away from the seam edge. You don't want to sew over the zipper pull. That would stink. And hurt. Broken needles are sad.

Now flip your pieces so that they face each other, right sides together. Change your foot back to your usual presser foot. You won't need the zipper foot anymore. Here we go!

Use pins to hold the pieces together. I leave a 2.5" gap in the side of the lining.

Pinch the zipper tape together with the tape ends pointing towards the lining.

Pin the pieces together all around the bag. Leave a gap in the side of the lining for turning the bag out. When you use the inside side seam, you don't really see it. It is tricky because it's close to the zipper, but the look of the inside is clean. Start sewing at one side of the opening making sure to backstitch. You'll sew in a clockwise direction until you get to the other side of the opening. Go slowly over the zipper when you reach it, use your hand wheel if needed. Pull your pins out before the needle hits them as well. When you come to the corner, leave the needle in the fabric. Lift the presser foot and pivot the bag. Drop the presser foot and continue sewing. 

When you reach the other end of the opening, backstitch and cut your threads. Time to turn out the bag. ​

Using a pair of utility scissors, trim your zipper tape ends. Toss the excess in the trash.

Trim the corners of the bag.

Now it's time to turn the bag out. Find the opening and reach inside if you can and pull the fabric out, slow but firmly. Is that an oxymoron? Hmm...

This part can get tricky, just take your time. Don't pull roughly, you might pop a seam. That's not fun, so I've heard. Grab your chopstick to push out the corners and make them look sharp.

You're almost done, Yay! Find the opening in the side seam and tuck in the fabric within the seam allowance. Press the opening closed and add 2 pins or clips to keep the layers together. Sew the opening shut being sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

The gap has been sewn shut.

Push your lining inside and poke and tug until your bag looks pretty. Press flat with the iron.

Your bag is ready for eyeliner, lipstick, a cute mirror and tissues. Make one for your friend, child's teacher, sister, everyone and anyone. Bags are great gifts. 

Make sure to press the wrinkles out so it doesn't look messy, like mine.

What a cute bag!! Tag me on Instagram so I can see the bags you've made. #sewingtothemoonblog
If you'd rather just buy a bag instead of making one, visit my Etsy shop. 
​

 

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Thanks for reading along and hanging out with me. Let me know in the comments below who you're making the bag for. Yourself or a friend?
What's something odd that you carry around? 


Happy Sewing, 
​Annette

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