Tutorial: Zipper pocket (messenger bag & jordy bag)

[SewPixie]

First...a Jordy bag I made a while back:

Second: I started on a messenger bag last week (used the tutorial here - and forgot to upload the pic! GOSH).

I'm not sure if anyone has posted this method for a zipper pocket in the lining, but in case no one has here is how I did it:

Step 1: Determine what size you want for your pocket and cut 1 pocket facing and 1 pocket back. Interface if desired. Place pocket facing on top of the bag lining piece you want - right sides together.


Step 2: Draw a rectangle for your zipper opening on the zipper facing. Draw a line through the center and 'arrow heads' at the ends.


Step 3: Stitch the pocket facing to the bag lining around the zipper opening rectangle you drew in step 2.


Step 4: Remember that center line and 'arrowhead' lines you drew? Cut on those lines.


Step 5: Pull the pocket facing to the wrong side of the bag lining through the cut you made in step 4.


Step 6: Now the bag lining and pocket facing are wrong sides together. Press the zipper facing and now you have a rectangle shaped hole in the facing.


Step 7: Baste, glue, tape, pin your zipper in the opening. I use wash-away double-sided tape.


Step 8: Sew your zipper in to place. Your stiching will go through the pocket facing, zipper, and the bag lining piece.


Step 9: Pin your pocket back to the pocket facing (don't pin it to the bag lining piece if you do not want the stitching to show on the lining).


Step 10: Stitch the pocket back to the pocket facing all the way around.


Step 11: Enjoy your new zippered pocket!


I'll have a picture of the finished bag here soon. 

[indiaromeo]

Thanks for posting your tutorial - it's very helpful! (And that polka dot fabric of yours is pretty fantastic, too. )

[Sewer Rat]

Wow!  Thank you for the excellent tute!  The pocket looks very professional.  I'd like to see the polkadot messenger bag.  I love the plaid bag!

[SewPixie]

  I'm glad tute may be helpful. I have a TON of zippers and buttons so I look for ways to use them on everything.

Here are the pics of the messenger bag



Also, I made a drawstring top Jordy for a co-worker with a zippered pouch in the middle (sort of a zippered divider):

[Early Bird Special]

OMG!  I *really* love your pink messenger bag.  It is tres cute! 
Could you possibly post the measurements you used?  (If you remember, of course!) 

[thejordy]

awesome
awesome
awesome
awesome
awesome
awesome
!!!

[SewPixie]

Approx. 10" wide, 7.75" tall, 1.5" deep. The strap is about 44" long.  <-- Messenger bag

If I recall correctly the front, back, and flap pieces started out 11" x 9". The zipper is about 7".

I have some orange fabric that also goes with the polka dot fabric so that may turn into either a larger messenger bag or an attempt at one of those teardrop shaped bags.

[indigo flower girl]

that is one very nice lookin messenger bag. did you use a tutorial, or could you provide one? it doesn't look too complicated but i'd like to see how you did it.

[SewPixie]

I used Gloriana's messenger bag tutorial (the one near the top of the list), just having the bag wider and using buttons instead of the snap she used. You're right, it wasn't very complicated. I was worried about the gusset at first but using the tips from the tutorial made it easy.

[DivaLea]

This tute rocks my socks!

NICE JOB.