First Aid Zipper Bag Tutorial

We just can't get enough of this adorable zipper bag! There are so many variations available with a basic zipper pouch pattern. Today, we are sharing how to make a First Aid Zipper Bag. The first aid cross is created using basic patchwork techniques. This is a beginner friendly pattern. Knowledge of zippers is helpful. Check-out this zipper tutorial for extra information. 

As we get ready for summer travel and outdoor adventures, this cute bag will fit all of your first aid supplies - Band-Aids, gauze, sunblock, bug spray and even a few pain tabs. Let's get sewing!

 

Link to PDF Pattern Download: First Aid Zipper Bag Tutorial

 

General First Aid Zipper Bag Project Information:

Finished Size: H: 6” x W: 9.5” x D: 4”

Difficulty: Beginner

Seam Allowance: 1/4” throughout pattern unless otherwise noted.

Dimensions: are written height x width throughout instructions.

Backstitch: at beginning and end of all seams to lock stitches in place.

 

First Aid Zipper Bag Tutorial Materials Needed:

One Fat Quarter (H: 22” x W: 18”) for Exterior Background Fabric

1/8 Yard Quilters Cotton Fabric for Cross

1/2 Yard Quilters Cotton Fabric for Cross Background

One Fat Quarter for Lining Fabric in Quilters Cotton, Linen or Lightweight Woven Fabric

One H: 22” x W: 18” for Fusible Fleece (such as Pellon 987F)

One 9” Zipper

 

Zipper Bag Supplies Needed:

Ruler, Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Mat, Pins, Binding Clips, Zipper Foot or Walking Foot, Chopstick or Pointed Tool

 

Fabric Sides Diagram:

 

Exterior Fabric Cutting:

Cut out all exterior fabric pieces as shown in the Exterior Cutting Information diagram below. Use the Exterior Fabric Block Placement diagram as a reference.

 

Create Cross Block:

Arrange as shown below. Sew the top three squares and bottom three squares first. Then, sew the top and bottom to the center solid cross fabric. Press seams open seams. This block will measure 5” x 5”.
Repeat step to create a second block.

To finish sewing the front exterior panel, arrange the exterior fabric as shown below.

Repeat to create the other side of the exterior fabric panel.

First, sew the center section. Attach B Block to the left side of the finished cross block and then attach C Block to the right side of the finished cross block. Press open seams. Repeat for the other side of the exterior panel.

Then sew Block A to the top of the panel and then sew Block D to the bottom of panel. Press seams open.

Repeat for the other side of the exterior panel. You should now have 2 finished exterior panels.

 

Cut Out Interior Lining & Fusible Fleece Fabrics:

Interior Lining
Cut two fabrics to the dimension of 9” x 15”.

Fusible Fleece
Cut two fleece fabrics to the dimension of 9: x 15”.

 

Template Cutting:

Cut-out Cutting Template on PAGE 8 of PDF Download. You will need your two finished EXTERIOR panels, two LINING fabrics on two FUSIBLE FLEECE fabrics.

Begin by folding the EXTERIOR panel in half along the center seam. Line-up the folded edge of the fabric with the red line on the paper template. Make sure the top edge of the finished EXTERIOR panel is lined-up with the top edge of the paper template. Cut fabric using the paper template as a guide. To keep the template from moving, either pin or use binding clips to hold it in place. Repeat for both LINING & FUSIBLE FLEECE. See diagram below.

 

Create First Aid Zipper Bag

 

Step 1:

Iron Fusible Fleece to wrong sides of Exterior Fabric.

Step 2:

Sew all four zipper tape edges back at a 45° angle with a 1/8” seam allowance.

Step 3:

Attach zipper to the exterior of fabric. Place zipper WRONG SIDE up along the RIGHT SIDE of one of the Exterior Fabrics. Center the zipper along the top edge of the fabric.

Pin to hold in place. With either your zipper foot or walking foot, sew on with a 1/4” seam allowance. Your will need to open or close zipper as you sew to allow your presser foot to pass.

 

Place WRONG SIDE facing out lining fabric directly over the RIGHT SIDE of exterior fabric and sewn zipper making sure all sides of the lining fabric is lined up with the exterior fabric & sewn zipper.

Pin to hold in place. With either your zipper foot or walking foot, sew on with a 1/4” seam allowance. Your will need to open or close zipper as you sew to allow your presser foot to pass.

 

Step 4:

Fold fabric back so that zipper is outside along top of bag and both exterior and interior fabric are facing outward (WRONG SIDES of exterior fabric and interior lining should be touching each other). Press to set seams.

Sew a 1/8” top-stitch seam along top edge of fabric making sure your sewing through both the exterior fabric and interior lining.

 

Step 5:

Attach remaining exterior fabric & lining to the other side of zipper tape. With the Right Side of sewn exterior fabric up, lay the other exterior panel along unsewn edge of zipper tape (WRONG SIDE facing up).

Make sure exterior fabric is centered on zipper tape. With a 1/4” seam allowance, sew along top edge. You will need to open zipper as you sew.

 

Step 6:

Flip over project so that the exterior fabric is on the bottom and the WRONG SIDE of lining fabric is facing out.

Place unsewn lining fabric WRONG SIDE out centered on top of zipper tape. Pin to hold in place.

Sew with a 1/4” seam allowance along top edge of zipper tape, lining & exterior fabric.

See diagram in STEP 5 for sewing example.

 

Step 7:

Fold fabric back so that zipper is outside along top of bag and both exterior and interior fabric are facing outward (WRONG SIDES of exterior fabric and interior lining should be touching each other).

Press to set seams.

Sew a 1/8” top-stitch seam along top edge of fabric making sure your sewing through both the exterior fabric and interior lining. Backstitch at the beginning and end of seam to secure stitches.

 

Step 8:

Unzip the zipper halfway.

Open up the fabric so that WRONG SIDES of exterior fabric and lining are facing outward. Line-up exterior fabric with exterior fabric & lining with lining and pin to hold in place.

Zipper should be facing into the lining fabric.

Along the bottom edge of lining fabric, create a 4” gap in the pinning. This area will not be sewn.

Make sure to line-up the seams of the exterior fabric panels.

See diagram in STEP 9.

 

Step 9:

Sew along exterior of bag with a 1/4” seam allowance. DO NOT SEW any of the four 90° cut-outs and the 4” gap along bottom edge of lining fabric. Backstitch at beginning and end of each seam to hold stitches in place.

 

Step 10:

Press open 4” gap seams along the bottom of lining fabric.

 

Step 11:

Pull the top and bottom layers of one corner apart, pinch together so that the top seam lines up with the bottom seam. Pin in place and sew across using a 1/4” seam allowance. Repeat with all remaining exterior and interior corners.

 

Step 12:

Turn the bag RIGHT SIDE out by pulling fabric through the 4” unsewn gap of lining fabric. Use a pointed tool to gently push-out the corners. Be careful to not push the pointing tool through the fabric.

Step 13:

Close the 4” gap in lining that was used to turn fabric by either hand sewing or machine sewing with an 1/8” seam allowance top stitch. Then tuck lining fabric into bag.

 

Congratulations! You’re Finished!

We created this tutorial to be shared. Sewing is a passion for us, and we love to create projects for our sewing community. Please pass this tutorial on to your sewing friends. If there are any projects you need help with or would like to see a tutorial for, please let us know. It is a joy to work with our fellow sewists and create handmade fabric pieces.

If you make a First Aid Zipper Bag, please tag us on Instagram @little.fabric.shop so we can see your work and we can share your creativity to inspire other makers. Happy Sewing!