Learn how to make a large zippered tote bag with this free pattern. Step by step zippered tote bag pattern with zipper.

Having pondered about a new bag design I settled on making a large recessed zippered tote bag. I often wander around department stores seeking inspiration for bag designs, this time I found myself admiring the large roomy tote bags for sale, specifically with a folded design of corner.

Today I am sharing with you my zippered tote bag pattern with zipper, the finished bag measures 14 1/2″ height by 16″ wide and 5″ depth. As a large roomy tote bag with pockets you will be able to carry lots of stuff around! I am sure you will love choosing your accent fabric pieces.

Recently I was offered some of Tilda’s new Autumn range of fabric to play with, I knew immediately I would make a bag but spent ages contemplating different designs. It’s a delight to have fun fabrics to play with.

I have many free patterns for tote bags on the blog:

• Sashiko Denim Tote Bag
• Denim Tote Bag
• Ten Minute Tote Bag
• Leather tote bag with tablet pocket
• Zipper Tote Bag
• Waxed Tote Bag Pattern

At the end of the post is a printable PDF for the tote bag.

Personally I am rather passionate about bag making – if you are new to bag making I have the perfect Beginners Bag Making Course for you which covers so many essential skills for bag making, and includes many free bag tutorials.

Tote bag pattern with zipper

The finished bag measures 14 1/2″ height by 16″ wide and 5″ depth.

Front central panel

Let’s start with the front central panel of the bag. Iron on fusible fleece to the reverse of the first contrasting fabric

Iron on heavyweight interfacing to the wrong side of the second contrasting fabric. Fold this in half.  Insert magnetic snap 1″ down from this folded seam, centrally. Insert the snap only through the top layer of fabric.

 

Topstitch across the top of your folded fabric, this is the top of your external pocket and adds a little strength.

Create the pocket closing flap. Iron interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Place the two pieces right side together. Using a mug, a roll of sellotape (anything circular you have to hand) mark rounded edges on two corners. Trim the curves to your mark line.

 

Stitch around the curved line. Clip into the curves, taking care not to cut into the stitched themselves and then turn right side out.

 

Press. Pin your pretty pocket fabric onto the central panel, bottoms aligned. Baste in place. Place your flap onto the central panel so that the flap aligns over the pocket, work out the placement of the other side of your magnetic snap, insert through one layer of fabric on the back of this flap.

 

Fold in the straight edges in of the flap and press.

Place the flap back on the central fabric panel, with the magnetic snap closed. Pin and then top stitch along the straight edge.

 

Assemble the outer bag

Piping – place your piping into the contrasting fabric, pin then stitch in place with a zip foot (so you can stitch close to the piping).

 

Iron on fusible fleece to the wrong side of each denim piece.

Now let’s join the front pieces of the bag together. Place the raw edge of the piping along the raw edge of your decorative front panel. Place the denim on top, raw edges matching, so your piping is as cheese in bread! Stitch the seam close to the piping. Repeat for the other long side of the decorative panel, thus finishing the front exterior fabric piece. You may find a zipper foot useful.

 

Place the two exterior fabric pieces right sides together. Stitch a seam along the bottom of the bag. Fold this seam inwards 2 1/2 inches, pin in place.

Stitch the side seams of the bag.

 

 

Turn the bag right sides out  – you will see you have made the corners of the bag.

Lining pockets

Iron heavy weight interfacing to the wrong side of each lining fabric piece.

Slip pockets- turn over and press twice the raw edges of the slip pocket piece of fabric, machine stitch right round to secure this finish. Place on one of the lining pieces 4″ up from the bottom of the bag centrally. Stitch around the three sides of the pocket, backstitching at the top of each side.

 

Mark a central line, dividing the slip pocket in half with tailors chalk. Stitch, ensuring you backstitch at the top for strength, creating two slip pockets.

Zipper pocket

Place your zipper pocket fabric  5 1/2″ in from the side and 4 1/2″ down from the top, right sides together.

 

 

Mark a rectangle 9 by  1/2″ as your stitch guideline.

Stitch round the rectangle. Cut along the middle of the fabric as marked.

 

Turn the lining fabric through to the wrong side. Press the edges of the opening.

Place your zip behind the opening and tack in place.

 

Machine stitch in place. Turn your fabric over. Place the second piece of the fabric pocket, right sides together.

 

Stitch around the pocket, being careful not to capture the main lining.

Recessed zipper

Place one of the zipper panels right sides facing you. Place your zipper right side down along the top long edge, 1/2″ from short end. Place second zipper panel wrong side facing you on top, therefore sandwiching the zip.

 

Using a zipper foot stitch along your pinned line. Fold the fabric over, and press away from the zip. Fold the raw edges in 1/4″ all round and press. Top stitch.

 

Press the raw edges in of your zipper tab, then fold in half and press again. Insert the zipper end inside the folded zipper tab and machine stitch to secure.

 

Assemble the lining.

Place lining right side up. Place the zipper panel 1 1/2″ down centrally. Pin and sew align the edge of the zipper panel.

 

Repeat with the other side of the lining.

 

Pin the two sides of the lining right sides together.

 

 

Stitch down the sides of the bag and partially along the bottom. Do not stitch several inches along the bottom of the bag, this will enable you to turn it right side out later.

Fold the side seam to the bottom seam, creating a triangular shape. Mark across at right angles creating a 5″ long seam. Stitch and trim the seam.

 

Assemble the Zippered Tote Bag

Add the bag handle to the main bag, stitch securely in place. If you would like to switch it up check out my how to make bag straps post which clearly shows how to make adjustable bag straps with pieces of webbing.

Place the right sides of the main bag and lining together.

 

Stitch around, I suggest a long stitch, sharp needle and stitching slowly to support your sewing machine stitching layers of fabric. Turn right side out, iron and pin this edge then topstitch around the top of the large tote bag.

 

Slip stitch to close the gap in your bag lining.

You’ve done it, you have completed the tote bag pattern with zipper!!

 

Step by step it’s not complicated, if like me you are put off by recess zippers they really are OK!