Welcome! This is an excellent and practical project that will help you organize anything from makeup to craft supplies. The accordion-style dividers inside make it incredibly functional, and the zippered closure keeps everything secure. This pattern is inspired by the vibrant bag you've shared and is designed for an intermediate sewer who is comfortable with working with zippers and building structured projects.
Materials
Main Fabric: A durable, woven fabric like canvas, duck cloth, or denim (about a half-yard).
Lining Fabric: A smooth, contrasting fabric like cotton or a lightweight canvas (about a half-yard).
Dividers Fabric: The same or a coordinating fabric for the inside dividers (about a half-yard).
Zipper: One 16-inch or longer nylon zipper.
Fusible Fleece or Medium-Weight Interfacing: Enough to interface all of your main fabric pieces for added structure.
Thread: All-purpose thread that matches your fabric.
Basic sewing supplies: Sewing machine, scissors, pins or clips, measuring tape, and an iron.
Key Concepts & Cutting Guide
This pattern is for a bag that measures approximately 8" long, 4" wide, and 4" high.
Main Body: Two pieces that make up the top, bottom, and sides of the bag.
Dividers: An accordion-style piece that runs the length of the bag, and a few vertical partitions.
Structure: Interfacing is crucial for giving the bag its shape and durability.
Cutting List:
Main Body (Outer Fabric): Cut one piece of fabric measuring 18" wide x 10" tall.
Main Body (Lining Fabric): Cut one piece of fabric measuring 18" wide x 10" tall.
Main Body (Interfacing): Cut one piece of interfacing measuring 18" wide x 10" tall.
Side Dividers (Lining Fabric): Cut two pieces of fabric measuring 4" wide x 10" tall.
Vertical Dividers (Lining Fabric): Cut two pieces of fabric measuring 4" wide x 6" tall.
Zipper Tapes: Cut two small rectangles of main fabric measuring 1.5" wide x 1.5" tall.
Sewing Instructions
Note: Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance unless otherwise noted.
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric
Press the Main Body (Interfacing) piece onto the wrong side of the Main Body (Outer Fabric) piece, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Fold the Side Dividers (Lining Fabric) pieces in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew the long edges together to form two tubes. Turn them right side out and press them flat.
Take the two Vertical Dividers pieces. Fold one in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew the long edges together. Turn it right side out and press it flat. Repeat for the second vertical divider.
Step 2: Attach the Zipper
Lay your Main Body (Outer Fabric) piece, interfaced side down. Place your zipper, teeth up, along the top 18" edge. Pin the zipper in place.
Lay the Main Body (Lining Fabric) piece on top, wrong side up, aligning the top edge. Pin all three layers.
Using a zipper foot on your machine, sew a straight line along the edge.
Fold the fabric pieces away from the zipper and press the seam. Topstitch along the seam to prevent the fabric from getting caught in the zipper.
Repeat this process for the other side of the bag, attaching the other side of the main fabric and lining to the remaining side of the zipper.
Step 3: Create and Attach the Dividers
Take your two Side Dividers tubes. On the long side of each, mark a series of creases at 2-inch intervals. You'll fold these creases into an accordion shape.
Take your two Vertical Dividers and find the center of each. Mark a small slit at the center of each.
Place the vertical dividers into the accordion folds of the side dividers. You can either hand-sew them in place or machine stitch along the folds.
Pin the finished accordion-style divider assembly to the inside of the main bag lining. Align the center fold of the divider with the bottom center of the lining. Pin the accordion pleats to the sides of the lining. Sew in place.
Step 4: Assemble the Bag
Open the zipper. Turn the bag inside out so that the outer fabric is facing you.
Lay the bag flat, so the zipper is at the top. Pin the two sides of the outer fabric together at the short ends, and sew them closed.
Pinch the corners to create a 4-inch boxed corner. To do this, align the side seam with the bottom crease, forming a triangle. Sew across the base of the triangle. Trim the excess fabric. Repeat for all four corners of the outer bag.
Repeat the boxing process for the lining fabric, but leave a 4-inch opening on one of the bottom seams.
Step 5: Final Assembly
Turn the main bag right side out.
Place the lining bag inside the main bag, with right sides facing. Pin the two bags together around the top edge of the zipper.
Sew the two bags together, making sure you don't catch the inner divider.
Pull the entire bag through the opening you left in the lining. Gently push out the corners and shape the bag.
Hand-sew the opening in the lining closed with a slip stitch. Give the bag a final press.
Your accordion-style zippered storage bag is now complete!
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