DIY Tote Bag with Recessed Zipper & Adjustable Strap
I wanted to create a tote bag that feels both incredibly practical for daily errands and beautifully unique.
By blending crisp solid canvas with a splash of lovely floral fabric right on the handles, this bag instantly catches everyone's eye!
In this post, I’m sharing the full step-by-step guide to mastering that clean zipper and adjustable strap.
Grab a cup of tea, pick out your favorite floral scraps, and let’s get sewing together!
The finished measurements of this Serene Tote Bag are approximately
28㎝(11⅛″) W × 23㎝(9⅛″) H × 10㎝(4″) D.
28㎝(11⅛″) W × 23㎝(9⅛″) H × 10㎝(4″) D.
You may watch the full video tutorial on my Youtube channel.
Share this video with a lot of people who need it.
Let's get started!!
◆ Main panel
② 39.5㎝ × 17.5㎝ (15⅝″ × 6⅞″) Exterior
② 39.5㎝ × 29.5㎝ (15⅝″ × 11¾″) Lining
◆ Bottom panel
① 39.5㎝ × 25.5㎝ (15⅝″ × 10⅛″) Contrast Color Fabric
◆ Front pocket
① 14㎝ × 11㎝ (5⅝″ × 4⅜″) Exterior
① 14㎝ × 13㎝ (5⅝″ × 5⅛″) Floral Fabric
◆ Zipper panel
② 39.5㎝ × 6.5㎝ (15⅝″ × 2⅝″) Exterior
② 39.5㎝ × 6.5㎝ (15⅝″ × 2⅝″) Lining
◆ Inside pocket
① 28㎝ × 30㎝ (11⅛″ × 11⅞″) Floral Fabric
◆ Handle
② 10㎝ × 60㎝ (4″ × 23¾″) Contrast Color Fabric
② 8.5㎝ × 60㎝ (3⅜″ × 23¾″) Floral Fabric
◆ Others
① Roll Zipper_seam allowance included 35㎝(14″)
② 2.5㎝(1″) Wide D-ring
② 2.5㎝(1″) Wide Swivel Hook
① 2.5㎝(1″) Wide Slider Buckle
① 2.5㎝(1″) Wide Webbing Strap 160㎝(63¼″)
Press the handle straps using the four-fold method (also known as the "bias tape fold").
Center the floral fabric strip on top of the accent fabric strip. Topstitch along both long edges, leaving 14 cm (5⅝″) unstitched at each end.
Position the handles on the Main Exterior panel, spacing them 12 cm (4¾″) apart. Stitch each handle to the panel, securing the lower 14 cm (5⅝″) on both sides.
Place the Main Exterior panel and the Bottom Panel right sides together, aligning the lower edge of the Main Exterior with the upper edge of the Bottom Panel. Stitch to join.
Open the panel flat and topstitch along both sides of the seam.
Fold the assembled Exterior panel in half with right sides together. Stitch the side seams.
Flatten each bottom corner by aligning the side seam with the bottom seam, then stitch across the corner to create a boxed bottom.
Place the zipper between the Exterior and Lining Zipper Panels with right sides together, then stitch along the top edge.
With right sides together, match the Exterior panels to each other and the Lining panels to each other. Stitch both short ends of the zipper panel.
Flatten each end of the zipper panel and stitch across the corners to create the boxed ends.
Baste a D-ring tab to each side of the zipper panel.
With right sides together, align the lower edge of the recessed zipper panel with the top edge of the Main Exterior.
Place the Main Lining over the assembly with right sides together, align the top edges, and stitch all layers together.
Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Push the recessed zipper down into the bag and topstitch around the top edge.
Close the turning opening in the lining with an edge stitch to complete the bag.
All done! If you hit a tricky spot or want more creative inspiration,
head over to the [Sewingtimes YouTube channel] for the full video tutorial.
🎈
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