Quilt As You Go Zipper Bag

Hi everyone! I am Elizabeth, one half of the duo of sisters-in-law who blog at Simple Simon and Company. We love all things that revolve around sewing for our children and are constantly striving for the art of homemaking….all while trying to stay sane. We really love simple sewing projects that are not only quick but that are also beautiful and luckily today’s project completely fits that theme. These zipper bags are simple, but make great gifts and I am warning you—once you make one—you get addicted. 😉

So, let’s get started.
Here is what you will need: a 10 inch zipper, 4 jelly roll strips or fabric scraps cut 10 inches by 2.5 inches, 2 pieces of batting cut 8 inches by 10 inches, 3 fabric pieces cut 8 inches by 10 inches.

On one of your 2.5 by 10 inch pieces of fabric, cut off 1/4 inch. Place that first strip piece on your batting piece and then using your walking foot, quilt lines that are .5 inches apart.

Place second fabric strip (right sides together ) and sew a 1/4 inch seam. Then open your second piece, press it well and quilt as you did your first fabric strip. Repeat until you have quilted all four strips to your zipper front piece.

This is what it should now look like for your zipper bag front piece.

Repeat with one of your 8 inch by 10 inch pieces of fabric and your remaining piece of batting.
Now you are ready to start making your bag.

I already have one side done in this picture but you are going to make a quilt sandwich…..and here are the layers. Bottom layer will be your main pouch fabric facing up. Middle layer will be your zipper—facing down! The top layer will be your lining fabric–facing down. Then using your zipper foot and a 1/4 inch seam allowance sew these 3 layers together. Repeat this same sandwich for the back zipper pouch as well.

Your zipper bag should now look like this. A really important step at this point is to open your zipper now.

Then place quilting sides together and lining sides together, sew around the perimeter of the bag, leaving a 2 inch opening to pull your bag through.

Now pull your zipper pouch right side out.

Stitch up your lining fabrics.

And push your lining inside your original bag….and you are done!

A huge thanks for having us today!
~Elizabeth

Thank you so much Elizabeth! I absolutely adore little bags like this to put in my purse to hold snacks for my kiddos, lipstick and lip gloss, lotion, etc. I love the quilt as you go concept and how easy this bag is to make. These little bags would make the funnest little Valentine gift for all of my friends with a cute little card and some yummy chocolates inside. I might just have to give one to myself as well. Wink, wink!
Thank you again Elizabeth! I am so SO excited to have you with us today sharing your amazing talent for sewing!
If you want to be truly inspired by gorgeous patterns and phenomenal sewing, visit Elizabeth and her sister-in-law Liz at their outstanding blog Simple Simon and Company.

I can’t believe that we have reached our last week of our Bag Lady Series. It has been so much fun celebrating bags all month long. We have 2 more ADORABLE bags to share with you this week and then adios bag month! 🙁
If you would like to look at the incredible bags that have been shared this month, check out those bags and more here. AND…before you leave, today, don’t forget to enter our giveaway, for your chance to win a gorgeous Kati Cupcake fabric bundle and a $50.00 gift certificate to The Ribbon Retreat. We are also having a fun bag link party where you can link up any bags that you have made. There are special prizes being given away for a couple of lucky peeps who link up their bags.

It is a week of excitement as we round up this fun, fun series! Don’t forget to enter the giveaway, link up your bags, and come back tomorrow for another really, really bright and functional bag!

Happy Creating & Happy Bag Ladies!