Full access zip bag

August 14, 2013

Full access zip bag - tutorial

I saw a tablet computer bag a couple of years ago that had a tab on both ends. I've wanted to make one ever since.

This is my version.

When it's unzipped, you have full access. The bag that I saw was flat (no flat bottom), and the tablet computer could slide right in because there was no restriction by the zipper.

This is how I made it.

This is what you'll need: Outside fabric, batting (if you want it quilted), lining, a zipper, and a scrap for the tab. The larger bag is 9"x 11" and the smaller bag is 7"x 9".

The first step is to quilt the batting to the outside fabric.

Now for the zipper. make a mark on the back of the zipper that shows on both sides when the zipper is open.

Place the zipper face down and curve it like this, with the pencil mark hitting the edge of the fabric 1/2" from the end.

Pin the layers like this

and sew with your zipper foot. I try to sew down the middle of the zipper tape because I like the zipper to show on the finished side. If you sew right next to the zipper teeth, then there isn't much of the colorful zipper that shows except for the teeth.

When you get 1 1/2" from the end, put your needle down,

and pull the zipper to the left.

Continue sewing through to the end.

When you turn it right side out, it will look like this.

Layer the other side like this.

See the pencil mark? Now sew the same way as the first side. I chose to sew on the other side of the zipper foot on the second side because I wanted to start on the same end of the zipper. I think this makes the zipper line up better.

Check your end result. If you're not happy with how the two sides match up, you can unpick and try again.

I unpicked and was happy with my second effort. It's like anything. It just takes practice, and this is my first try at putting in a zipper like this.

Lay the bag out like this. Outside fabric on one side and the lining on the other side.

Pin this intersection so it will match up perfectly. Fold the seam allowance toward the lining.

Sew all the way around leaving an opening in the lining. Don't forget to open the zipper first otherwise you won't be able to turn the bag inside out.