DIY Travel Toiletry Bag

Make a Toiletry Bag with pockets for everything! Gifts for Guys: Boxy Dopp Kit Tutorial

* Finished Dimensions 7" tall x 11" wide X 4" deep

Materials

    1/2 yard quilting cotton or lightweight canvas for the exterior (We used Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen)
    1/2 yard quilting cotton for the lining (We used Reel It In Lures Green)
    1/2 yard ByAnnie's Soft and Stable for Interfacing
    (2) 14" Zippers
    1 package of coordinating extra-wide double fold bias tape
    Pattern Download
    Thread
    Quilt binding clips (optional)
    Fabric marking pen

Cutting- From the exterior fabric cut:

    1 strip 3 ¾’’ x 19 ¼’’ for the Bottom Panel
    2 strips 2’’ x 14 ¾’’ for the Zipper Panels
    2 Side Panels from the Side Panel pattern piece
    1 Zipper pocket from the Zipper pocket pattern piece
    1 strip 2’’ x 11 ½’’ for the Pocket trim
    1 rectangle 5 x 7’’ for the Handle

Cutting- From the lining fabric cut:

    1 strip 4’’ x 19 ¼’’ for the bottom panel
    2 strips 2’’ x 14 ¾’’ for the zipper panel
    2 Side Panels from the pattern piece
    1 Interior pockets with the Interior pocket pattern piece (cut this on the fold)
    1 Zipper pocket from the Zipper pocket pattern piece

Cutting- From the soft and stable cut:

    1 strip 4’’ x 19 ¼’’ for the bottom panel
    2 strips 2’’ x 14 ¾’’ for the zipper panel
    2 Side Panels from the pattern piece
    1 Zipper pocket from the Zipper pocket pattern piece *1 strip 1 ¼’’ x 7’’ for the handle

Step 1: Assemble and Quilt the Layers

Layer the lining, exterior, and interfacing Bottom Panel pieces together with the interfacing sandwiched in the middle and the wrong sides of the other fabrics facing toward it. Sew a basting stitch along the long sides of the panel and treat it as one piece. Assemble the layers of the two Zipper Panels, two Side Panels, and Zipper Pocket in the same way.

Quilt one Side Panel and the Zipper Pocket panel as desired. I chose to stitch a 1-inch grid. You can use a fabric marker and a ruler to draw out the stitch lines or just “eyeball” it like I did using the markings on my sewing machine as a guide. Leave the 2nd Side Panel piece un-quilted and sew a basting stitch around the edges. Mark the center points on the top, bottom, and sides of each piece using a fabric marker.

Step 2: Make the Zipper Pocket

Place a zipper along the top edge of the Zipper Pocket with the teeth front facing the exterior side. Position the zipper stop ½'' away from the right side. Let the edge of the zipper tape hang over the edge of the pocket piece a little bit. Using a zipper foot on your sewing machine, sew along the zipper tape about 1/4 inch away from the edge.

Fold the Zipper Pocket away from the zipper, flip the pocket over so you can see the zipper tape. Topstitch about 1/8’’ away from the edge of the zipper tape, enclosing the raw edge.

Take the Pocket Trim piece and fold the sides toward the center with wrong sides together. Leave a small gap between the raw edges and press.

Lay one edge of the Pocket Trim along the upper zipper tape with the right side of the fabric facing the zipper front. Let the zipper tape extend slightly over the trim. Stitch in place with a 1/4'' seam allowance.

Carefully press the trim away from the zipper and wrap the folded edge around to the back, enclosing the zipper tape. Topstitch 1/8'' away from the seam, making sure you sew through the trim on the back as well

Place the Zipper Pocket piece on top of the non-quilted Side Panel. Pin in place and Topstitch along the top edge of the Zipper Pocket Trim.

Baste the sides and bottom of the Zipper Pocket to the Side Panel. Be careful as you sew over the zipper teeth. Use the hand wheel to walk the machine through the zipper teeth to avoid breaking the needle. Slide the zipper slider toward the center and trim the excess zipper tape.

Step 3: Make the Interior Pocket

Fold the interior pocket piece along the fold line and press. Sew along the folded edge 1/8'' away from the edge.

Place the pocket on the lining of the quilted Side Panel. Baste the sides and bottom in place. Sew a divider line in the center. I put a pin at the top of the pocket, flipped it over and stitched the divider line along the center quilting line. Remember to backstitch at the top of the pocket.

Step 4: Make the Zipper Panel

Center the remaining zipper along the edge of a Zipper Panel with teeth facing the exterior side. Let the edge of the zipper tape hang over the edge of the panel piece slightly. Using a zipper foot, sew along the zipper tape about 1/4 inch away from the edge.

Fold the Zipper Panel away from the zipper. From the zipper tape side topstitch about 1/8’’ from the edge of the zipper tape.

Repeat for the other side of the zipper and the remaining Zipper Panel piece and trim excess zipper tape.

Place one end of the Zipper Panel piece on top of one end of the Bottom panel piece with exterior sides together. Cut a 5 inch piece of Bias Tape. Open the folds and pin it to one side of the lining. Stitch with a 1/8’’ seam allowance.

Refold the bias tape to enclose the raw edges. Stitch along the bias tape about ¼ ’’ away from the edge. Repeat for the other end of the Zipper Panel and Bottom Panel making a loop. Press the seams away from the zipper panel.

Lay the loop flat and center the zipper panel. Mark the center and side points with a marking pen or pins. Make sure to leave the zipper about halfway open.

Step 5: Make the Handle

Fold the Handle piece in half lengthwise and press with wrong sides together to mark the center.

Open the fold and press the raw edges toward the center but leave about a 1/4'' gap in the center. Lift one side and slide in the remaining small strip of interfacing.

Refold all folds and press. Topstitch along each side 1/8’’ from each edge and in the center, as desired.

Place the handle about ¼’’ below the zipper panel on the side closest to the zipper pull. Baste in place. And pin or clip down so it stays out of the way during final construction.

Step 6: Sew the Bag Together

Baste the Bias Tape to the edges of the zipper panel. Open the folds of the tape fold the end toward the inside about ½ ‘’. Finger press and line up the edge of the tape with the edge of the zipper panel with the right side of the Bias Tape facing the lining. Sew with a basting stitch about 1/8’’ from the edge. When you reach the beginning, overlap the bias tape by about 1’’ and trim.

Repeat for the other side. It should look something like this.

Pin or clip a side panel to the zipper panel with exterior sides together. Start by matching top, bottom, and side seam centers and place a clip at each point. Then clip the corners. Make sure the top of the zipper panel is next to the opening of the pockets so they are right side up. Sew around the sides using a seam allowance. Check that the bias tape is laying flat and out of the way as you sew. Keep the needle in the down position each time you stop to re-position the bag. Don’t worry if the stitch line is a little wobbly, just make sure you’ve caught all the layers in the stitches.