Zipper Bag Tutorial
A Zipper Bag is a must have for just about everything – travel storage, toiletries, office supplies, make-up, electrical cords, and small sewing projects, just to name a few. This zipper bag is a great size for all of this. We’ve created a beginner friendly zipper bag tutorial to help you create a fast project or easy handmade gift.
Zipper Bag Sewing Directions
Let’s get started! Below is a PDF pattern download with all the steps to create this bag.
PDF Pattern Download: Zipper Bag Tutorial
General Pattern Information
The is a beginner friendly sewing tutorial. All dimensions are written in height x width throughout the directions. It is important to read all the instructions prior to beginning this project. You will need the following sewing supplies; Cutting Ruler, Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, Pins, Iron, Sewing Machine, Clover Point 2 Point Tool (or pointed tool) and a ¼-Inch Presser Foot.
This pattern utilizes a ¼ inch seam allowance unless indicated. Backstitch at the beginning and end of all seams to lock the stitches in place.
Materials Needed
This Tutorial Requires the Following Materials:
One Fat Quarter (H: 22” x W: 18”) for Exterior FabricOne Fat Quarter (H: 22” x W: 18”) for Lining Fabric
One H: 22” x W: 18” for Fusible Fleece (such as Pellon 987F)
One 9” Zipper
We went with Anna Maria Horner’s Bright Eyes fabric collection for this bag. The exterior fabric is called Visitation Lilac. This large-scale print fabric is just perfect for fussy cutting. For the lining we selected Facets Aqua. The yellow/green pigment provides the perfect “glow” to brighten-up the inside of the bag.
Fabric Sides
Cutting Instructions
For the Exterior Fabric, Lining Fabric & Fusible Fleece use the Cutting Template on Page 6 of the PDF Pattern Download, cut two pieces of each fabric. Make sure to place folded edge of fabric/fleece along red line on the Sewing Zipper Bag Template prior to cutting.
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. You will need to open or close the 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. You 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the top edge of fabric making sure you’re 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 the fabric so that the 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. 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: Create box corners
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. Give a gentle press to the turned fabric to set seams. The interior fabric should be outside the top of the exterior fabric.
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.
More Zipper Bags!
Here are a few more zipper bags we’ve created with this pattern.
We created this zipper bag utilizing the Winterglow fabric collection by Ruby Star Society. Isn’t this an adorable holiday gift bag?
This zipper bag was made with the Harmony Blue Magic fabric panel. We love this beautiful new collection from Conservatory Crafts. Fabric panels are a great option for creating a fun bag.
We took this pattern and added cute little hearts to create this Heart Zipper Bag Tutorial. The Foundation Paper Piecing Technique is used in this sewing pattern. We have a tutorial to help you learn this fun (and super easy) sewing skill. The Lil fabric collection from Ruby Star Society was used to create this sweet bag.
Another twist on this same pattern is our First Aid Zipper Bag tutorial. This bag is the perfect size for all your medical supplies such as prescriptions, band-aids, supplements, and tweezers. Rifle Paper Co. fabric was used to create this bag.
This is my favorite zipper bag – The Rainbow Zipper Bag. It is an intermediate pattern and uses foundation paper piecing to create. We have lots of solid fabrics that look great on this fun bag.
If you make any of these Zipper Bags, 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!
