How To Add A Recessed Zipper To A Bag

Learn how to sew a recessed zipper in a tote bag. In this tutorial, I will show y'all how to calculate the size of material and nil.

Consider your bag blueprint, how is the shape formed? Is it with side panels or boxed corners? What is the finished width and depth of the purse? If it is boxed it is the size of the squares you cut out, if it is paneled it is the size of the side panel minus the seam allowance.

I am making a large tote handbag which is 4 inches deep and 14 i/four inches wide when finished. You need a zipper a couple of inches longer than the finished width of your bag. So my naught needs to be xvi″ As I have a longer naught in my stash I am going to shorten it.

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How to sew a recessed zipper in a tote bag

You lot volition need:

Zipper couple of inches longer than the width of the bag
Fabric
Atomic number 26 on heavyweight interfacing
Wonder tape
Rotary cutter, mat and quilters ruler

Permit'south start by making a zipper tab for the finish of the zip. Cut a piece of material, press in the edges.

Fold over encasing the zipper in the material tab.

Auto or manus stitch the material tab.

Now let'south work out the measurements for the cloth either side of the goose egg. My finished length will be fourteen 1/2 inches (the same as my bag), I am using 1/4″ seam allowance so the length of my fabric panels is 15″. For the width, accept the finished depth of the bag, take off 1/2″ for the zip itself, divide information technology in one-half and then add together on i/2 of an inch (two seam allowances of 1/iv″).

For my bag is which is iv inches deep, takeaway 1/2″ = 3 1/ii″, then divide in half to get one 3/iv inches, add on 1/2 of an inch to get 2 1/four″ inches. If we work this in reverse we have: two i/4″ – 1/2″ seam allowance + nil i/two″ + 2 ane/4″ – ane/2″ seam assart = four″ width of bag

Cut 4 pieces of fabric to your measurements, for my pocketbook 14 1/4 inches long by ii three/four″ inches wide.

Cutting four pieces of heavyweight iron-on interfacing without seam allowances and apply to the reverses of the four cloth strips, post-obit the manufacturer'due south instructions. I strongly suggest using a quilters ruler and rotary cutter to cut every bit accurately as possible as this will make your finished recessed attachment equally professional as possible.

Cut small pieces of wonder tape and place information technology on the corners of the interfacing. Peel the paper off and fold in the corners, press lightly. The wonder record acts a temporary glue whilst yous make the recessed zipper but then washes away, it does not replace stitching your recessed zipper!

Fold in the sides of the 4 panels, forth the edges of the iron-on interfacing. Press with a hot iron.

Add a strip of wonder tape along i edge.