How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper

Tote bags are super useful and tin be fabricated in all sorts of sizes, so y'all can never have as well many! You can brand them many different ways, but this tote bag features a recessed zipper to go on the contents of the bag secure.

The size I fabricated is perfect to utilize as a Mahjong bag simply you can make information technology any size you want. (I made these as gifts for my Mahjong-loving aunts!)

You lot can as well add interior and outside zippers or more than pockets to fit your needs.

Want to become the printable PDF instructions? Sign up to our mailing list to download the PDF.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper

Materials

  • ane yard outer fabric (home decor fabric)
  • one yard lining fabric (muslin or broadcloth)
  • one chiliad Pellon Decor Bond Fusible Stabilizer
  • 1 grand Pellon Fusible Fleece Interfacing
  • 3 yards of ane inch webbing
  • A zipper
  • Thread
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Fabric marker
  • Pins
  • Iron
  • Sewing auto with a zipper foot

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Recessed Zipper Materials

Video

Instructions

Step 1: Mensurate & cut the textile

Cut 2 rectangles from the outer fabric that are the width you want the handbag plus 1″ by the top plus ii ½".

My pocketbook volition be 22″ broad at the acme and 11″ loftier and then I'm cutting pieces that are 23" 10 13 ½".

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1

You can employ many different fabrics as the outer material like canvas, denim, nylon, quilting cotton, or décor fabric, which is what I'g using. If y'all plan on washing your bag, pre-wash the fabric before starting.

Cut 2″ squares from the bottom corners. This volition create the gussets and so the size of the squares volition determine the depth of the bottom of the bag. This bag volition have 4" gussets. If you want a different size, divide the depth you lot want the bag in half and cutting out squares that are that size. Go along in mind this volition also change the top of the handbag.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1

Use a lightweight fabric for the lining similar broadcloth, muslin, or quilting cotton wool.

Cut out 2 pieces of the lining that are the same width as the outer fabric and ii″ shorter. My pieces are 23″ ten eleven ½". Cut out 2" squares from the bottom corners.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1

Cutting 2 pieces from the lining fabric that are 2 ½" high and the same width, so 23" for me. These upper lining pieces will exist visible above the attachment so you tin use the outer fabric if you adopt.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1

I'm calculation a pocket to the interior that's sized to fit Mahjong cards but this is optional. The pocket volition be five″ ten 7". Add 1" to the width. The height is double the pocket height plus 1" so I'm cutting a piece that is 11″ 10 8".

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1

Cut out pieces from the fusible stabilizer for the outer textile and upper lining that are ½" smaller in all directions. For me, that 22 ½" 10 xiii″ for the outer pieces and 22 ½" ten ii" for the upper lining.

Also cut out a piece that'south the size of the pocket, 5″ x seven".

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1

From the fleece interfacing, cut pieces that are ½" smaller than the lower lining pieces.

The stabilizer makes the purse stiffer and then it will agree its shape and the fleece interfacing makes the lining more cushioned. Both are optional or you can use one kind for both the outer textile and lining.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 1


Step 2: Fuse the interfacing

Center the stabilizer on the back of an outer piece with the adhesive side down. Press each section for about 10 seconds at a time without sliding the atomic number 26. Flip it over and iron the front.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2

Repeat for the other outer piece and the upper lining pieces.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2

Fuse the stabilizer to the pocket piece ½" in from one of the ends.

Practice the same thing for the lower lining pieces with the fleece interfacing.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 2


Stride three: Sew together the webbing handles

You can also make straps out of the fabric you're using if you adopt.

Cutting two pieces of webbing to the length yous want. Mine are 50" long which volition create a driblet of 11" from the top of the handbag to the top of the handles.

Discover the center of the outer material, measure 3 ½" on both sides, and marker the fabric with a disappearing ink mark, chalk, or pins. This will permit for 7" between the webbing. Yous may want to adjust this for different sized bags.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3

Mark 1 ½" from the acme which is where the stitching will stop.

Pivot the webbing then the inner edges are on the line.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3

Starting from the bottom, sew the webbing 1/viii" in from the border. Dorsum sew at the showtime and end of all stitching on the tote.

I'm using a slightly longer stitch length of 3.5mm for all my top stitching. Stop when you become to the 1 ½" marking. Pivot and sew across. Run up dorsum and forth for extra force.

Sew down the other side. Do the same thing for the other stop of the handle.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3

Repeat for the other handle and outer piece.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 3


Step 4: Stitch the pocket

Fold the pocket in half with the stabilizer facing out. Sew effectually the sides on the edge of the stabilizer. Exit a gap of a couple of inches at the bottom.

Prune the corners and turn right side out. Fold the edges of the opening in.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4

Heart the pocket iii″ down from the top of one of the lower lining pieces and pivot.

Sew together close to the edges effectually the sides and lesser.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 4


Step 5: Sew the attachment

Put the zipper foot on your sewing machine. Open the zipper slightly and sew back and forth above the teeth to hold the peak together.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5

Place the zipper facing up on the top edge of 1 of the lower lining pieces. The upper finish of the zipper should be aligned with the side. Place one of the upper lining pieces on top facing down. The edges of both lining pieces and the zipper should be aligned. Sew down the edge.

I prefer to adapt as I sew but yous tin can pin if you lot want.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5

When you become to the zipper pull, lift the foot, move the pull, and continue sewing.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5

Open the lining, fold it back, and summit run up. Make certain to pull back the piece on the bottom so it doesn't exit of place every bit yous sew.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 5


Step 6: Sew it all together

Fold all the layers dorsum except for ane of the upper lining pieces. Line up the edge with an outer piece with right sides facing and sew. You tin can switch dorsum to your regular human foot at present. I'm using a ¼" seam allowance here, but ½" is likewise fine.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Repeat for the other upper lining and outer pieces.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Arrange the layers then the outer pieces are facing each other on one side and the lining pieces are on the other side. Line upward the bottom edges of the outer pieces and sew with a ½" seam allowance. Sew the bottoms of the lining pieces together too.

Brand sure to open the zipper at this point or before sewing the bottoms.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Next sew the side with the height terminate of the zipper. Fold the zipper in one-half with the edges pointing downward towards the lining side. Lucifer up the seams and pin. Sew together all the fashion downwardly the side with ½" seam allowance.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Arrange and pin the other side in the same mode. This time terminate just earlier getting to the teeth of the zipper. Start sewing on the other side then exit a gap of about 6" and sew together the rest of the side of the lining.

Yous can cut off the extra zipper at any time.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Open up one of the corners and lucifer the seams up to form the gusset. Sew across with ½" seam allowance. Repeat for all the other corners.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Now the moment of truth! Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Poke out the gusset corners of the outer fabric.

Fold in the edges of the opening in the lining and run up. Y'all can hand sew together with an invisible stitch if y'all want, simply the machine stitching won't be very noticeable since information technology'south the lining.

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Tuck the lining into the purse. Fold at the seam where the outer and lining fabrics meet. Topstitch all the mode around.

Naught it up and the tote pocketbook is washed!

How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6 How to Make a Tote Bag with a Zipper - Step 6

Finished dimensions:

Acme: 11″

Width: 22″ at the top, 18″ at the bottom

Depth: 4″ at the bottom

Cutting dimensions:

Outer material pieces = Desired width + 1" by desired meridian + 2 ½" (with two" square cutouts)

Lower lining pieces = Desired width + one" past desired tiptop + ½" (with ii" square cutouts)

Upper lining pieces = Desired width + ane" by two ½"


Check out our selection of décor fabric, so start making your very own bag.