I started with 4 fabrics. 3 are included here (zipper ends & loop, top band and main fabric), with the 4th being the lining fabric you’ll see below. I like to use lighter fabrics for the inside of bags – while they can get a little smudged, at least you have a chance of seeing inside.
Materials:
Fabric - have fun! I used (4) different fabrics
7″ zipper – that’s the length of the teeth, the tape is about 8″
Cut the following pieces:
(2) pieces 2″x2.5″, (1) piece 2″x5″ (Zipper ends and loop – red dots)
(2) pieces 2″x8″ (top band – stripe print)
(2) pieces 7″x10″ (main body – floral)
(2) pieces 8.5″x10″ (lining – see instructions for trimming below)
Fold
the 2″x2.5″ pieces in half (matching the short ends) and press the
crease. Open it up and place it at one end of the zipper, matching the
ends. Sew across the crease, making sure that the metal zipper stop is
not directly under your needle. Fold the fabric back and press. Repeat
for the other end.
The top band is 8″ wide, and the main body fabric is 10″ wide. The extra
2″ is for the pleats. Fold the main body fabric in half and press a
small crease at the top. Open the fabric, bring the ends to the center
and repeat for the left and right. This will mark the location of (4)
pleats. One on the left, one on the right, and two at the center.
The
pictures below show folding and pining the pleats before pining to the
top band, but you could also pin the ends and the center point to the
top band, then fold the pleats by taking up the ease. Stitch the top
band to the pleated panel. Repeat for the other side.
Form the loop by folding the 2″x5″ strip in half lengthwise and stitch down the long side. Turn right side out and press, centering the seam line on one side.
To prepare the lining, the pieces need to be tapered. Do this by
trimming 1″ from the top, tapering to 0″ off each short end. After
trimming, the lining will be 8.5″ tall, 8″ wide at the top and 10″ wide
at the bottom.
Place the zipper face down on one of the outside
pieces. Layer a lining piece on top (right sides together). Stitch
across the top, close to the zipper teeth. I opened the zipper pull
part-way and sewed up to it. I removed the pouch from the machine,
closed the zipper, and then finished stitching. Repeat for the 2nd side.
Open the pouch out flat and press across zipper. Topstitch if you like. OPEN THE ZIPPER HALFWAY. Now match linings together and outside pieces together, matching the sides seams on the top band and pushing the zipper seam allowances towards the lining fabric. Pin the loop in half and insert on the side of the pouch closest to the zipper pull when closed. Stitch all the way around the bag, leaving a section open on the lining for turning.
To form the base of the pouch, pull the fabric apart on one corner of the lining. Match the seams, and then stitch straight across the corner about 1.5″ from the point. Repeat for the other side of the lining, and the outside corners. Trim.
Turn the bag rightside out through the opening in the lining. Sew up the opening, push the lining inside the bag, and you’re done!
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