I mentioned yesterday that I was working on a new bag and I am happy to say that after 1 shopping trip (2 stores) later...I now have new lithium batteries in my camera and a completed Spring Bag!! The best compliment I ever got on one of my bags came from my 4 year old daughter when she woke from her nap and saw my new bag.
"Oh Mommy!! Did you make yourself a new bag?? I like your new bag Mommy!!"
Melt my heart.
Guess what else that little booger did tonight??
Told someone what we're naming the baby!! That person (and she knows who she is!) will be disqualified if she attempts to enter the baby name giveaway!! :)
Here's a sneak peak at the completed bag...
Hmm...what can you see there?
Well, I love my new bag!! And I thought since there are 2 zipper pockets inside this bag that you all might like to know HOW to insert zipper pockets into a purse/bag. It used to scare me to death!! But they're really not so bad. Here's what you do...and what you need.
materials: zipper, pocket fabric, lining piece of fabric, thread, tape measure, fabric marker
Take a peak at the photos below:
Lay your pocket fabric onto your lining fabric (or outside piece of fabric if you are choosing to do a zipper pocket on the outside of the bag) with right sides together. I wanted my pocket to start abotu 5" down from the top, but you determine where you want yours to be. Keep in mind seam allowances! Measure down from the top of the pocket fabric piece 1 1/2" and make a mark. Make another mark at the 2" line. Move over about 8" to the other side of the pocket piece and mark the same measurements. You will be drawing a rectangle using these four marks. I also like to begin my zipper about 1 1/2" from either side of the pocket piece. That means that the short ends of the rectangle should be 1 1/2" from either side of the pocket piece of fabric. Pin your two fabric pieces together and then sew over top of the rectangle you just drew.
After you have sewn over top of the rectangle, make a snip down the center of the rectangle. Cut all the way down the rectangle. Stop at 1cm away from the end and then cut into each corner. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CLIP THE SEAMS!! Take the pocket fabric and stuff it inside the hole you just cut.
Smooth out the pocket fabric on the back so that it is laying flat. Iron around your rectangle and pin in place. Place the zipper behind the rectangle. Pin in place. After you've done a few of these, you won't really need to pin it. With a small seam allowance (1/16"), sew zipper to the back of the rectangle.
Once your zipper is in place, flip the whole thing over. Now it's time to create the actual pocket. Fold the pocket piece in half witht he pretty side of the fabric inside. Pin all the way around the 3 open sides. Beginning at one side, sew up all three open sides. Don't forget to backstitch at both ends for sturdiness.
And there is your zipper pocket!! These can be put on the inside or outside of bags. I think it really adds to a purse when you have the option of the zipper pocket. Let me know if you have any questions!
Full disclosure of how I made my new bag will come tomorrow!! Be sure to check back :)
Yay! Thank you so much for posting this!! SO helpful.
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