{"id":12401,"date":"2022-07-09T11:48:44","date_gmt":"2022-07-09T15:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/?p=12401"},"modified":"2022-07-09T11:48:48","modified_gmt":"2022-07-09T15:48:48","slug":"sew-a-recessed-zipper-on-a-bag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/sew-a-recessed-zipper-on-a-bag\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Sew a Recessed Zipper on a Bag"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"470\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6.jpg\" alt=\"sewing recessed zipper bag\" class=\"wp-image-12496 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6.jpg 450w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6-287x300.jpg 287w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6-144x150.jpg 144w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 450px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 450\/470;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6.jpg\" alt=\"sewing recessed zipper bag\" class=\"wp-image-12496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6.jpg 450w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6-287x300.jpg 287w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Featured6-144x150.jpg 144w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>I've been working on some new bag ideas and one of the areas of bag-making that has been a bit of a puzzle to me until recently is how to close the top of the bag. Of course, not all bags need to be closed. Some simple <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/best-free-tote-bag-patterns-60-favorites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tote bags<\/a> are left open, and that's just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With these examples of the <a title=\"Expanding Nautical Tote Bag Pattern\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/expanding-nautical-tote-bag-pattern\/\">Expanding Nautical Tote Bag<\/a> and the <a title=\"Free bag pattern \u2013 Turning Japanese Bag\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/free-bag-pattern-turning-japanese\/\">Turning Japanese Purse<\/a>, in each case simply holding the handles keeps the bag closed.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"319\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags.jpg\" alt=\"How to add a recessed zipper to a bag pattern\" class=\"wp-image-12471 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags.jpg 650w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags-300x147.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags-500x245.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags-150x74.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 650px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 650\/319;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"319\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags.jpg\" alt=\"How to add a recessed zipper to a bag pattern\" class=\"wp-image-12471\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags.jpg 650w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags-300x147.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags-500x245.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Bags-150x74.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <a title=\"Zipper Top Tote \u2013 free bag pattern\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/zipper-top-tote-free-bag-pattern\/\">Zipper Top Tote<\/a> bag as a zipper right across the top and isn't very deep. &nbsp;Other bags I've made have either had magnetic closures and snaps or zippers at the top, like the <a title=\"Easy Cosmetics Bag Pattern \u2013 bribe me!\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/easy-cosmetics-bag-pattern\/\">Easy Cosmetics Bag<\/a>. &nbsp;So I was up for a challenge and looking forward to learning something new so I've got a video for you today on how to add a recessed zipper to a bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can pretty much add this to the top of any bag which has a lining, so even if the pattern doesn't call for it, you can split the lining and add in the recessed zipper. &nbsp;Just remember to place any inside pockets accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here's how to sew a recessed zipper on a bag<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the video, I show how to sew the recessed zipper and then add it to a simple tote bag. At the same time, I'm trying out supporting the bag with headliner fabric too. &nbsp;It's all of a bit of an experiment, and not everything goes to plan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to sew a recessed zipper in any bag pattern\" width=\"730\" height=\"411\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R-CHW9EEd3k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<strong>Subscribe to the YouTube channel:<\/strong>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/apis.google.com\/js\/platform.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div class=\"g-ytsubscribe\" data-channel=\"debyatsoseweasy\" data-layout=\"full\" data-count=\"default\"><\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<p>And here's what it looks like &#8211; pretty easy and it gives a very nice result. &nbsp;This would work on any bag that has a lining and space to slightly drop the zipper down inside.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"413\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b.jpg\" alt=\"sewing recessed zipper bag\" class=\"wp-image-12499 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b.jpg 550w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 550px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 550\/413;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b.jpg\" alt=\"sewing recessed zipper bag\" class=\"wp-image-12499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b.jpg 550w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-002b-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step by step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>(See all these steps demonstrated in the video.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Look at your bag pattern and see where and how volume is added to the bag. &nbsp;Are the bottom corners cut out or boxed? &nbsp;What is the finished width and depth of the bag? In this example, I'm just working on a small tote bag and assume that it's 3 inches deep and 12 inches wide when finished.<\/li><li>Use a zipper a couple of inches longer than the finished width of the bag. &nbsp;You can always use a longer zipper and shorten it if needed.<\/li><li>Neaten the end of the zipper with a fabric tab.<\/li><li>Cut 4 pieces of fabric. &nbsp;My length will be 12 inches. &nbsp;For the width, take the finished depth of the bag, divide it in half and then add on 1\/2 of an inch. &nbsp;My bag is 3 inches deep, so divide that in half to get 1.5 inches, add on 1\/2 of an inch to get 2 &nbsp;inches. &nbsp;So I cut 4 pieces each 12 inches long by 2 &nbsp;inches wide. &nbsp;Apply interfacing to all 4 strips.<\/li><li>Fold under the ends of the zip tape and pin them or hold in place. &nbsp;Turn under 1\/2 inch on each end of the long pieces and press. &nbsp;Layer the zipper between two of the long pieces with right sides facing in. &nbsp;Turn the end of the upper piece&nbsp;back over to the underside, and then stitch using a zipper foot from one end of the fabric to the other, keeping everything even. &nbsp;Repeat the same on the other edge of the zipper tape.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12500 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b.jpg\" alt=\"Great video on how to sew a recessed zipper for a bag. This is the easiest & clearest way I've seen to do it.\" width=\"550\" height=\"413\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b.jpg 550w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b-150x113.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 550px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 550\/413;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12500\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b.jpg\" alt=\"Great video on how to sew a recessed zipper for a bag. This is the easiest & clearest way I've seen to do it.\" width=\"550\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b.jpg 550w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Recessed-zipper-014b-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/noscript><\/li><li>Fold the fabric right sides out and push out the corners. &nbsp;Press the fabric top and bottom away from the zipper and topstitch on all 3 sewn edges.<\/li><li>Your recessed zipper is now completed. &nbsp;Now we just have to add it to the lining of the bag.<\/li><li>If your lining is already split into an upper and lower section, then you are good to go. &nbsp;If not, split your lining a couple of inches down from the top and remember to add in a half-inch seam allowance to each pattern section.<\/li><li>Mark the middle of the lining pieces and the middle of the zipper section and match them up. &nbsp;Make sure the zipper is facing the right way up, towards the top of the bag. &nbsp;Stitch the zipper section in between the lining pieces and press.<\/li><li>Then add the lining pieces to the bag in the usual way, and sit back and enjoy your recessed zipper.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"275\" height=\"84\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Pin-Me.jpg\" alt=\"Pin Me\" class=\"wp-image-11600 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Pin-Me.jpg 275w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Pin-Me-150x46.jpg 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 275px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 275\/84;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"275\" height=\"84\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Pin-Me.jpg\" alt=\"Pin Me\" class=\"wp-image-11600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Pin-Me.jpg 275w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Pin-Me-150x46.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3.jpg\" alt=\"Great video on how to sew a recessed zipper for a bag. This is the easiest & clearest way I've seen to do it.\" class=\"wp-image-12497 lazyload\" width=\"450\" height=\"782\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3.jpg 450w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3-173x300.jpg 173w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3-374x650.jpg 374w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3-86x150.jpg 86w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 450px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 450\/782;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3.jpg\" alt=\"Great video on how to sew a recessed zipper for a bag. This is the easiest & clearest way I've seen to do it.\" class=\"wp-image-12497\" width=\"450\" height=\"782\" srcset=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3.jpg 450w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3-173x300.jpg 173w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3-374x650.jpg 374w, https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Pin-me3-86x150.jpg 86w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<h2>If You'd Like To Support Our Site<\/h2>\r\nIf you want to help us continue to bring you a wide selection of <a href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/free-sewing-patterns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free sewing patterns<\/a> and projects, please consider buying us a coffee.\u00a0 We'd really, really appreciate it.\r\n\r\n<center><div class=\"ko-fi-button\" data-text=\"Buy me a coffee!\" data-color=\"#ff5f5f\" data-code=\"\" id=\"kofiShortcode413Html\" style=\"float: none; text-align: left;\"><\/div><\/center>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;ve been working on some new bag ideas and one of the areas of bag-making that has been a bit of a puzzle to me until recently is how to close the top of the bag. Of course, not all bags need to be closed. Some simple tote bags are \u2026 <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/sew-a-recessed-zipper-on-a-bag\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":309,"featured_media":12496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wds_primary_category":0},"categories":[14,4,165,89,38],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12401"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/309"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12401"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":73789,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12401\/revisions\/73789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/so-sew-easy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}