ZIPPED BAG

Zipped Bag Tutorial

NOTE: You may need to pause the machine and take out the hoop, but do not unhoop your project!

The lining is taped behind the hoop!

What You Will Need

Main Fabric

Two large pieces of the main fabric, cut slightly bigger than your finished purse.

One small piece of the main fabric, cut to 3.5 inches in height by the selected width of your finished purse.

Sizes are approximate and may vary depending on the type of fabric used.

Piece	Purpose	5x7 Hoop	6x10 Hoop (Smaller)	6x10 Hoop (Bigger)
Large 1	Purse Back	6.5 inches x 9 inches	8 inches x 10 inches	8 inches x 11.5 inches
Large 2	Purse Front (Bottom)	6.5 inches x 7.5 inches	8 inches x 8.5 inches	8 inches x 9 inches
Small	Purse Front (Top)	6.5 inches x 3 inches	8 inches x 3.5 inches	8 inches x 3.5 inches

Lining Fabric

Cut to the same dimensions as the main fabric pieces.

Supplies

A zipper that is a few inches longer than the width of your finished purse.

Ribbon, approximately 4 inches in length (optional).

Medium-weight tear-away stabilizer.

Clear tape.

Color Changes

Stitch Sequence

1	Zipper position line.
2	Zipper tack-down seams.
3	Tack-down seam for the small main fabric piece above the zipper.
4	Tack-down seam for the large main fabric piece below the zipper.
5	Tack-down seams to secure the main fabric pieces around the purse before stitching the design.
6 - 9	Purse decoration.
10	Lining fabric tack-down seams around the zipper. NOTE: This is a single color sequence with no programmed stop. You must pause your machine manually.
10.A	Tack-down seam for the small lining fabric piece above the zipper.
10.B	Tack-down seam for the large lining fabric piece below the zipper.
11	Tack-down seam for the large main fabric piece (purse back).
12	The final purse outline.

Stitching Instructions

Hoop only the tear-away stabilizer. If the bag's decoration is dense, use a double layer of tear-away stabilizer. Attach the hoop to the machine.

Step 1: Stitch Zipper Placement Line

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

Stop the machine, but do not unhoop the project.

Center and place the zipper over the stitched lines. The zipper should be longer than the stitched area; it will be trimmed later.

Important Notes for Zipper Placement:

1. Lay the zipper exactly in the center of the placement lines.
2. Position the zipper so that the metal parts are outside the stitching area.
3. Ensure the zipper is securely taped in place.
4. Position the zipper pull approximately ½ inch outside the purse outline.
5. Secure the zipper pull firmly with tape.

Use tape to ensure the zipper stays flat while stitching.

Step 2: Tack Down the Zipper

Stitch the zipper tack-down seam (Color 2). It is important to leave the zipper pull taped down during this step.

Step 3: Attach Top Fabric Piece

Place the small piece of main fabric right side down, aligning its edge with the upper stitch line so that it is covered by approximately ½ inch, as shown in the photo below.

Using tape can help keep the fabric flat during stitching. Sew the next seam (Color 3), which is the upper line.

Stop the machine, but do not unhoop. Fold the tacked-down small piece of fabric up, as shown in the photo below.

Secure it with tape or pins to ensure the fabric stays flat.

Step 4: Attach Bottom Fabric Piece

Repeat the same process for the bottom part of the purse. Place the large piece of main fabric right side down, aligning its edge with the bottom stitch line so that it is covered by approximately ½ inch, as shown in the photo below.

Use tape or pins to keep the fabric flat. Sew the bottom tack-down seam (Color 4).

Stop the machine, but do not unhoop. Fold the tacked-down large piece of fabric down, as shown in the photo below.

Step 5: Tack Down Front Panels

Next, the entire purse outline will be stitched (Color 5) to tack down the front fabric pieces.

Step 6: Embroider the Decoration

Stitch the decoration (Colors 6-9).

Attaching the Lining

Take the hoop out of the machine, but do not unhoop your project.

Turn the hoop over to view the back side of the project.

The process is the same as it was for the main fabric.

Step 7: Attach Top Lining Piece

Place the small piece of lining fabric right side down, aligning its edge with the upper stitch line so that it is covered by approximately ½ inch, as shown in the photo below.

It is helpful to use tape to ensure the fabric stays flat while stitching.

Step 8: Stitch Top Lining Piece

IMPORTANT: Sew the next seam (Color 10.A). This is ONLY the upper line, above the zipper.

Stop the machine, but do not unhoop. Fold the tacked-down small piece of lining up, as shown in the photo below.

Using tape will help keep the fabric flat.

Step 9: Attach Bottom Lining Piece

Repeat the same process for the bottom part of the purse. Place the large piece of lining fabric right side down, aligning its edge with the bottom stitch line so that it is covered by approximately ½ inch, as shown in the photo below.

Use tape or pins to ensure the fabric stays flat during stitching.

Step 10: Stitch Bottom Lining Piece

Sew the outline seam (Color 10.B). This is the bottom line, below the zipper.

Stop the machine, but do not unhoop. Fold the tacked-down large piece of lining down, as shown in the photo below. Pin it in place.

Using tape or pins helps keep the fabric flat.

Final Assembly

Step 11: Prepare for Final Seam

Turn the hoop to the front side and remove the tape from the zipper pull.

IMPORTANT: Unzip the Zipper

Unzip the zipper halfway! Do not forget this step, or you will not be able to turn the purse right side out later.

Sorry, the photo below is from another project as I forgot to take one for this step.

Step 12: Add Optional Ribbon

If you wish, you can add a ribbon folded in half.

Tape it in place.

Step 13: Attach Purse Back

Lay the large piece of main fabric (the purse back) on top, right side down. Ensure there is plenty of excess fabric around the perimeter. Secure it with pins or tape.

Sew the bottom tack-down line (Color 11) to hold the fabric flat.

Take the hoop out of the machine, but do not unhoop your project.

Turn the hoop over to view the back side.

Step 14: Attach Back Lining

Lay the remaining large piece of lining fabric over the back, covering the shape.

Ensure there is plenty of excess fabric around the perimeter. I am securing the lining with tape or pins.

Step 15: Sew Final Outline

Sew the final tack-down stitch around the entire outline (Color 12).

Finishing

Step 16: Clean Up

When the design has finished stitching, remove the tape, unhoop the project, and gently tear away the excess stabilizer.

Step 17: Trim the Purse

Cut out the purse shape along the final stitch line. Clip the corners, being careful not to cut the seam.

Sorry, the image below is incorrect.

Next, you will turn the purse right side out. This is a two-step process.

Step 18: Turn and Close Lining

First, turn the purse right side out through the opening left in the lining.

Close the opening in the lining either by hand or with a sewing machine.

Step 19: Turn Right Side Out

Trim any remaining stabilizer from the zipper area.

Finally, turn the bag completely right side out through the open zipper.