Zipped pocket bag (with mini tutorial)

With these bags I seem to have found a relatively easy way of attaching a zip - something I am frequently asked for.

The solution came to me - as is often the case - in the middle of the night.  Unusually I remembered it the next morning!

How to imitate this:
Make a pocket bag as per my earlier tutorial, but only make the front and back panels for the bag.

Add a 3" strip of denim to the top of each panel, fastening the bag straps between the panel and the strip.  I usually place them half way along each pocket square, and stitch over the strap end three times.

Now cut the lining to match the panels.

Using a zipper foot, sew one panel to the zip.
Put the lining so right sides of the lining and bag panel face each other, and the zip is sandwiched between the two fabrics.  Stitch again, to fasten the zip securely.
Turn the fabric the right way and then top stitch the zip.  Stitch as close as possible to the edge of the fabric.

Repeat with the other bag panel.

Now open the zip and then open out the bag and lining so that the bag panels are right sides together, and so are the linings.  It should make one large rectangle. Sew all the way round the rectangle, leaving the bottom edge of the lining open.

Turn the bag the right way in, and sew the bottom of the llining up.  You can hand sew this for a neat finish, but I usually turn the edges in and top stitch with the machine!

Push the lining inside your bag and it is finished!

Shared at

Button bags

My latest crop of bags - this time decorated with buttons.

I have a lovely collection of buttons, passed on by lots of lovely people.  Many are, I am sure, antique.  On one of my Pinterest boards I have a collection of button decoration ideas, many of which I hope to incorporate into my bags at some future point in time....

This post will be shared at these link parties:

These are quite intricately pieced, but by doing five at once (I will post the fifth in a future post) I managed to speed up the construction process.  Having said that, the cutting was quite tedious!
Three of these bags have zips - I have been asked at a number of stalls whether I have zipped bags, so one project this year is to increase the number of bags I produce with zips.  I simply added the zip to the top, but for future bags I think I will add borders to the zips as I have been doing  on projects since this one.  It gives a neater finish.  However, this is adequate and will hopefully suit some future purchasers.



This post will be shared at the following link parties:

Sew Darn Crafty	Sunday Funday	Submarine Sunday
Bouquet of talent	Sundae Scoop	Sew-licious
Just something I whipped up	Petite Hermine