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How to Sew a Bag With a Liner & Zipper

Lining makes a purse or bag more durable, while a zipper keeps the bag's contents from spilling out. You'll make higher quality bags if you use zippers and lining. Learning to sew either isn't very difficult. When you make a lining, you make the the outside of the bag again, using a different fabric if you wish and a larger seam allowance. Sewing a zipper requires little more skill than being able to stitch in a straight line.

Things You'll Need

1 yard cotton fabric
1 yard lining fabric, either cotton or polyester
Measuring tape
Scissors
Straight pins
1 12-inch-long zipper
Matching thread
Sewing machine
Zipper foot

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two 10-inch-by-18-inch rectangles of fabric from the cotton fabric and two 10-inch-by-18-inch rectangles from the lining fabric.
- 2
  Lay one of the cotton fabric rectangles on top of the lining fabric rectangles, lining up the edges. The right sides of the fabric should face together. Repeat with the other fabric pieces.
- 3
  Line the edge of the zipper up with the one 10-inch edge of the cotton and lining fabrics. The zipper will be sandwiched between the two fabrics. You want the upper edge of the zipper to line up with the 10-inch edge. The zipper teeth and pull should face up and press against the cotton fabric. Since you're using a 12-inch zipper, 2 inches will extend beyond the fabric. You'll trim this later. Pin the zipper in place.
- 4
  Attach the zipper foot to your sewing machine and sew the zipper to the fabrics, between the cotton and lining fabrics, on the one side.
- 5
  Fold the cotton fabric back so that the right side faces out and the wrong side of it is against the wrong side of the lining. You should be able to see the zipper.
- 6
  Slide the other side of the zipper between one 10-inch side of the other pair of fabric. As before, the top of the zipper should line up with the edge of fabric. The zipper teeth and the other fabric will now be between the fabric pair. Pin in place, then sew the zipper in place.
- 7
  Fold the cotton fabric back so that the right side faces out. The zipper will now be between the two pieces of cotton fabric.
- 8
  Open the zipper so that you can turn the bag right side out at the end.
- 9
  Lay one piece of cotton fabric against the other piece, right sides together, lining up the 18-inch sides and the bottom 10-inch sides. Pin together along the three sides.
- 10
  Place the two lining pieces of fabric against each other, right sides facing in. Pin together along three sides.
- 11
  Sew the cotton pieces together along the three sides with a 1/2-inch seam. Sew the lining pieces together on the three sides with a 5/8-inch seam. Leave a 3-inch opening on the bottom edge of the lining.
- 12
  Turn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining. Stitch the opening shut. Tuck the lining inside the cotton exterior fabric and zip up the bag.
- 13
  Make a small loop handle if you want by cutting a 12-inch-by-3-inch strip of fabric.
- 14
  Fold the strip in half lengthwise, right sides facing in, and sew along the long side.
- 15
  Turn the strip right side out and fold in half to form a loop. Pin the ends of the loop to the back of the bag, then stitch in place.

Sewing