How to Sew a Cute Zipper Tote Bag
Today, I want to show you how to sew a tote bag with a zipper.
The technique is a little different from my usual method. This zipper tote bag is made in one piece for the outer and one piece for the lining.
I’ve also used webbing straps for the handles instead of making them myself.
Tools and materials:
- 12 oz canvas for the outer
- Cotton muslin for the lining
- 15 inch (38 cm) metal zipper
- 1 1/4 inch (3 cm) wide webbing strap
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Fabric clips
- Iron
- Sewing machine
- Zipper foot
1. Cut out the fabric
Cut one piece of canvas 30 inches by 17 1/4 inches (76 by 44 cm) for the bag outer and two strips 13 3/8 inches by 2 3/8 inches (34 by 6 cm) for the zipper flaps.
You will also need two small pieces of canvas 2 inches by 2 3/8 inches (5 by 6 cm) to cover the ends of the zipper.
From the lining fabric, cut 2 strips for the zipper flaps the same size as the canvas pieces, one piece 25 1/8 inches by 17 1/4 inches (64 by 44 cm) for the main lining and a 12 1/2 inch (32 cm) square for the inside pocket.
You will need two pieces of webbing strap, 13 3/4 inches (35 cm) long.
2. Zipper flaps
Place one canvas flap and one lining flap together with the right sides facing.
Sew around the two short edges and one long edge with a 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance.
Snip the corners and turn the flaps right side out.
Press the seam and top stitch it.
Repeat for the second flap.
3. Inner pocket
Fold the 12 1/2 inch (32 cm) square in half with the right side inside.
Sew the three open edges, leaving a small opening on the long side.
Snip the corners and turn it right side out.
Top stitch the folded edge.
Fold one short side of the main lining piece in half to mark the center and do the same with the inside pocket.
Place the pocket centrally on the right side of the lining, 2 inches (5 cm) from the edge.
Sew down around the side and lower edges and up the center, to make a double pocket.
With the lining facing, place the raw edges of the zipper flaps centrally on to each short side of the lining on the right side. Sew in place.
4. Assemble the outer bag
With the right sides facing, sew the short sides of the canvas outer to the lining, sandwiching the flaps between them.
Refold the fabric and align the seams.
Clip the seams together at both ends.
Turn the folded edge of the canvas and the lining up by 2 3/8 inches (6 cm).
Sew the open sides, catching down the edges of the gussets.
Leave a small opening on one section of the lining.
Turn the bag right side out through the opening and sew the opening closed.
Tuck the lining inside the bag.
Fold the top edge of the bag in by 1 1/4 inches (3 cm) and press the fold.
Top stitch close to the edge.
5. Insert the zipper
Turn a narrow hem to the wrong side on the short edges of the smallest pieces of canvas and press them.
Fold the pieces with the right sides together and stitch the short edges.
Trim the seam allowance and turn them right side out.
Place over each end of the zipper tape and sew in a square to hold them securely.
Open the zipper.
With the zipper right side uppermost, place one side the zipper tape under one of the flaps and sew it close to the teeth.
Sew the tape only and leave the covered ends free.
Close the zipper and attach the other side of the tape to the second flap.
Start sewing approximately 1 1/2 inches (3 cm) from one end and sew the length of the tape.
Remove the fabric, open the zipper and sew the first section from the other direction.
6. Attach the handles
Seal the cut ends of the webbing with an open flame.
Center the handles on the inner top edge of the bag and sew securely in place.
If you prefer, you can make your own handles from the canvas fabric and attach them in the same way.
This is one of the simplest methods I’ve come up with to sew a DIY tote bag with a zipper. It’s sturdy and secure and looks good and it doesn’t use much fabric.
It would be easy to add an outer canvas pocket if you want one, before you attach the canvas to the lining.
How to sew a zipper tote bag
I hope you get a lot of use from your zipper tote bag and I’d love to know if you enjoyed making it using this technique. Why not drop me a comment below and tell me?
Next, learn How to DIY a Cute and Easy Fabric Phone Case.
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