A well-made handbag is more than just an accessory; it's a daily companion. But a custom handbag with a secure zipper top offers both style and peace of mind. This detailed tutorial will guide you through creating a chic and functional handbag that features a professional-looking zipper, sturdy handles, and a roomy interior. This is a perfect project for a confident beginner or an intermediate sewer looking to create a beautiful, custom accessory that you can use every day.
Materials You'll Need
This guide provides detailed dimensions to create a handbag similar to the one shown in the video. You can easily adjust the measurements to suit your preferences.
Outer Fabric: Choose a sturdy fabric like cotton canvas, denim, or a decorative home fabric.
2 pieces for the main panels (30cm x 37cm each)
2 pieces for the side panels (12cm x 30cm each)
1 piece for the bottom panel (12cm x 37cm)
2 pieces for the zipper panels (37cm x 6cm each)
Lining Fabric: A lighter-weight cotton fabric.
2 pieces for the main lining panels (30cm x 37cm each)
2 pieces for the side lining panels (12cm x 30cm each)
1 piece for the bottom lining panel (12cm x 37cm)
Handles:
2 long strips of polyester webbing or fabric (4cm x 60cm each)
Hardware:
1 zipper (35cm long)
Tools:
Sewing machine with a zipper foot
Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter
Pins or Clover clips
A ruler and fabric marker
An iron and ironing board
Part 1: Preparing the Fabric and Handles
Before you begin sewing, it's crucial to prepare all your fabric pieces for a smooth and accurate project.
Create and Attach Handles: Take your two handle strips (4cm x 60cm). If you are using webbing, you can skip this step. If you are making fabric handles, fold the long edges in towards the center and press. Then, fold the entire piece in half lengthwise, enclosing the raw edges. Press again and sew a topstitch along both long edges to create a finished handle. Pin the handles onto the right side of the two outer main panels (30cm x 37cm), ensuring they are evenly spaced. Sew them in place securely, reinforcing the stitches with a box stitch or an "X" for durability.
Part 2: Assembling the Bag Body
This is where the handbag's shape and structure start to come together.
Construct the Outer Bag: Lay your front main panel down right-side up. Place one of your outer side panels on top, right-side down, aligning the vertical side seams. Pin and sew. Repeat for the other side panel and the back main panel. Then, carefully sew the outer bottom panel to the rest of the bag's body. This will create a boxy, three-dimensional shape.
Construct the Lining: Repeat the same process for all your lining pieces to create the lining bag. However, do not sew the bottom panel to the side panels yet. This will be done in the final assembly step.
Part 3: Attaching the Zipper and Final Assembly
Now it's time to bring all the pieces together to create the final handbag.
Prepare the Zipper Panels: Take your two outer zipper panels (37cm x 6cm). Fold each piece in half lengthwise and press. Open one of the folds and place the zipper on top, teeth down, aligning the top edge. Pin and sew with a zipper foot. Repeat on the other side of the zipper.
Attach the Zipper Panels: Pin the now assembled zipper panel to the top opening of the outer bag, right sides together. Sew all the way around.
Attach the Lining: Pin the lining bag to the other side of the zipper panel, with the right side of the lining facing the right side of the zipper panel. Sew this seam.
Turn and Close: Make sure the main zipper is open about halfway. You can now sew the bottom panel of the lining closed. Then, sew the bottom gusset to the lining bag body. Pull the entire bag through the zipper opening. Use your fingers to push out all the corners. Give the bag one final press.
Your new zipper top handbag is now ready to use! Enjoy the satisfaction of having created a custom, organized, and stylish bag all by yourself.
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