Chain Bee Zipped Bag

Note

Sometimes you may need to pause the machine and take out the hoop, but please do not unhoop your project!

Backing

The backing fabric is taped behind the hoop.

Materials Needed

Main fabric sizes:

	Size 5x7	Size 5x9	Size 6x10
Purse front piece	9" W x 6" H	11" W x 6" H	12" W x 7" H
Purse back piece (larger)	9" W x 8" H	11" W x 8" H	11" W x 10" H

Cut two large pieces of main fabric, slightly bigger than the finished purse size.

Lining fabric: same as the main fabric.

Supplies

• Zipper: a few inches longer than your purse
• Ribbon: about 4" long (optional)
• Medium-weight tear-away stabilizer
• Clear tape

Color Changes in the Design

1. Zipper position line
2. Zipper tack-down seams
3. Main fabric purse front tack-down seam (below zipper)
4. Main fabric purse front tack-down seam to secure fabric
5. Decorative stitches
6. Decorative stitches
7. Lining fabric purse front tack-down seam (below zipper)
8. Lining fabric purse front tack-down seam to secure fabric
9. Main fabric purse back tack-down seam (to hide zipper)
10. Main fabric purse back tack-down seam at purse bottom
11. Final purse outline with lining fabric back piece

Stitching the Zipped Bag

Hoop only tear-away stabilizer. If your bag decoration is dense, use two layers of stabilizer. Attach the hoop to the machine.

Step 1 – Zipper Outline

Embroider the zipper outline directly onto the stabilizer (Color 1).

Stop the machine. Without unhooping, center the zipper over the stitched lines. The zipper should extend beyond both ends (it will be trimmed later).

Important Zipper Placement Tips

1. Center the zipper exactly on the outline.
2. Make sure metal zipper parts are outside of stitching lines.
3. Secure the zipper with plenty of tape.
4. Place the zipper pull about ½" outside of the purse outline.
5. Fix the zipper pull securely with tape.

Stitch the zipper tack-down seam (Color 2).

Remove the tape, but keep the zipper pull taped securely.

Step 2 – Adding Main Fabric

Place one piece of main fabric with its edge aligned along the bottom zipper tack-down line, right side down, covering it by about ½".

Sew the next seam (Color 3).

 

 

Step 3 – Fold Down Main Fabric

Stop the machine (do not unhoop). Fold the tacked-down main fabric downwards, right side up, covering the zipper neatly.

Stitch the bottom purse light outline (Color 4). Then stitch decorative elements (Colors 5 and 6).

Step 4 – Adding Lining Fabric

Take the hoop out of the machine (do not unhoop). Turn it around to see the back of the project.

Place one small piece of lining fabric, right side down, aligning its edge with the upper zipper line, covering it by about ½". Secure with tape.

Sew the lining tack-down seam (Color 7).

Step 5 – Back Piece

Now it’s time to add the purse back piece. Take the larger main fabric back piece, fold one edge about 1.5", and press it with an iron.

Lay this piece right side up over the zipper so the folded edge covers the bottom zipper line by about 0.3". Secure with tape and stitch (Color 11).

Important!

Unzip the zipper halfway before stitching further. Otherwise, you won’t be able to turn the purse right side out later.

Optional – Ribbon Tab

You can add a ribbon or cord tab at the side for decoration or to attach a key ring.

Fold the ribbon in half, place it on top of the zipper edge, and tape in place. Stitch over it securely.

Step 6 – Final Assembly

Lay the main back fabric piece (already folded) right side down over the project. Secure it with pins or tape.

Sew the bottom bag line to tack down the fabric (Color 10). This keeps everything flat for the final stitching.

Step 7 – Adding Lining

Take the hoop out of the machine (do not unhoop). Turn the hoop over to see the back side of the project.

Place the lining fabric piece right side down, fully covering the project. Leave generous excess around the perimeter. Secure with tape or pins.

Sew the last tack-down seam, the full purse outline (Color 11).

Step 8 – Removing Stabilizer

Once the design finishes, remove the tape, unhoop the project, and carefully tear away excess stabilizer.

Step 9 – Cutting and Turning

Cut out the purse shape. Clip into the corners, being careful not to cut the seam.

Turn the purse right side out through the zipper opening. This is done in two steps: first through the bottom hole, then fully through the zipper.

Step 10 – Closing the Opening

Sew the opening at the bottom lining by hand or sewing machine. Use ladder stitch (invisible stitch) for a neat finish.

Step 11 – Final Touch

Trim any stabilizer near the zipper and carefully press the purse. Your zippered bag is now finished!

Congratulations!

Your fully lined, zippered bag is complete. It’s strong, stylish, and ready to use!