Enjoy two easy and FREE add-on for those who have already purchased my Kitsune Bookbag/Backpack Sewing Pattern. The pattern templates included are for the mini size only at this time
"Sewing is a way to bring your imagination to life."
With my Kitsune Bag Pattern already purchased you can follow the tutorial provided within this blog post to add even more flare to your bag! Here we will jump straight in as I walk you through how to add a Zipper pouch AND divider to your bag lining (the easy way!). If you are looking on where to purchase my bag pattern please visit the link below:
Now let's get started with these Free Add-Ons! You will need to print off the Free Template Pattern pieces first. Visit the links below to collect and download the Free-Add-on pattern pieces via my google drive.
As I already mentioned - we are jumping right into this tutorial. First off let us tackle a zipper pouch! Have a fear of zippers? I did too when I first started but I promise they are actually quite easy to use. With that being said let us begin.
Zipper Pouch
In prep for the zipper pouch you should have 1 main lining piece cut out already as per the original mini bag pattern pieces. As well as two rectangle pieces as per the new templates provided shown to the left. Remember to mark out ONE rectangle pouch with the zipper area guide marks. I personally used a friction pen here on the wrong side of the fabric. Template pieces already have seam allowance built into them.
You also will be needing 1 #3 zipper of any size greater than 6" long. For my bag I am using Cotton Canvas for the lining but cotton woven is also acceptable; it will just make your bag a bit more malleable than canvas. (So not as stiff).
2. Take your main lining piece and use two pins to find the centre of the top and bottom. Pin these for now.
3. Warm up your iron and gently press a middle seam down the whole lining piece.
If you do not wish to press with iron then you may also finger crease the centre lining. Either way works :)
4. So now when you open the lining piece back up we can see a straight lining right down the middle! Easy peasy!
5. Find the middle top and bottom of the zipper pouch rectangle. Then take a moment to line the pouch up right sides touching!
Try to get it centred as best as possible. Use a few pins to keep this in place.
6. At this point it is CRUCIAL to have the zipper guide drawn onto the pouch template. Essentially you need an approx 1/2" rectangle that is divided down the centre. Then 1/4" from each end of the rectangle are two triangles - these are also important.
When you are happy with the placement of your pouch lining you will stitch around the rectangle using 2.5mm stitch length as shown to the left. Yes - keep right sides touching of the fabric!
Once finished dig out some scissors and cut through BOTH layers straight down the middle of the drawn rectangle. Stop before you get to the triangles at the end. Then carefully snip the triangles clear down as close to the stitching on the inside as possible!
7. This is where the magic happens! Take your Zipper pouch and push it through the opening you just cut!
It will fight you a little at first. Grab your iron and start pressing!
You will know if you clipped well enough into the corners of the triangles from the previous step when it easily presses with no random puckering in the corners. If needed re-pull the pouch back through and carefully snip those corners a bit more!
8. From the right side of the lining once pressed you should have NO creases in the corners. Aim for this as it gives a nice professional finish.
9. Bring your zipper over and let us centre it now over this new random hole. Use a few pins OR if you have double sided sewing tape you can also use that to secure the zipper in place.
Notice how I have a closed ended zipper. This is not needed for this opening but because I had one I actually kept the metal end incorporating it into the opening. The end of the opening on any pouch always gets the most wear and tear - so having the metal stopper already there I opted to use it to prolong the life of the pouch,
10. Carefully sew around your zipper catching both the zipper and the lining using 1/8" seam allowance. Some people will opt to use a zipper foot - I chose not to for this as my zipper was long enough.
What I mean is that I can actually keep my zipper pull out of the sewing area completely until I get around to the final edge as shown the left.
11. I can then lift up the presser foot and push the zipper in under clear to the opposite side. Thus I have no need to even have or use a zipper foot since I've avoided the zipper head all together.
12. Just remember when sewing across the zipper teeth to keep them as close together as possible.
As a side note: I also backstitch over each end of the zipper teeth on both sides. This helps reinforce the zipper since again the ends get the most tension constantly from being opened and closed.
13. With the zipper successfully installed you can trim off any excess zipper overhang on each end.
14. Take a moment to pin the second pouch piece onto JUST the pouch piece on the back NOT the main lining.
Then when you are ready you can stitch around just the pouch! I like to sew with 1/4" seam allowance all the way around the newly formed pouch from the top as shown to the left. I just simply pull the main lining up and out of the way. This ensures I am never going to accidentally stitch onto the main lining !
15. Your newly made zipper pouch should now look as shown to the left! Don't forget to clip the corners :D !
16. You can now have a great new way to add even more to your mini bags! Who wouldn't want a useable storage pouch for all kinds of goodies on the inside of your bag!?
Now you can continue to assemble the bag as per the paid tutorial - just be mindful when sewing the lining later to not accidentally catch the zipper pouch ;)
Bag Divider
1 . Looking to make a quick divider within the mini bag? This is actually super easy - so let's get started!
What you will need is the following:
* x 1 main lining cut out
* x 2 bag divider template cut out
Note: If you are using cotton woven and not a canvas material I highly recommend using interfacing on the cotton woven. This will stiffen it up = a better divider in the end with more durability! So you would need two woven interfacing pieces cut out and fused onto the regular cotton woven divider pieces. Many sewing shops sell woven interfacing that is fusible with heat :)
2. With right sides together for the divider pieces stitch across the top with 3/4" seam allowance.
3. Use your iron to press the newly sewn seam flat and open.
4. Now fold right side out (so wrong sides touching) and press again. You should be left with a nice crisp top edge.
Top Stitch this edge 1/4-3/4" across the top. Whichever is your preference for topstitching.
Then baste using a longer stitch length at 1/4" around the rest of this bag divider securing both pieces of fabric together.
5. The final step is to line up the divider onto the main bag lining. Then baste again the whole way around using. along stitch length 1/4" seam allowance. This will secure the newly created divider onto the main lining!
Congrats :) You can now finish assembling your lining as per the paid tutorial - except now your bag has a fancy new inside divider pocket.
Happy bag making!
Want to check out a few more traditional sewing patterns? I am slowly working on bringing more and more sewing patterns to my shop and not just embroidery patterns! Check out the few I've published below.
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