How to Make a Double Zipper Cross Body Bag

One of the very first, not so good, tutorials I did was for a zippered cross body bag.  I thought I would revisit that project and show you how to make a double zipper cross body bag. Hopefully this tutorial is much better than the last one.  It is a bit more difficult because of the two zippers but it is still a fairly simple project to make.  It is the perfect bag to take when hanging out on the weekends.  You can fit everything you need into it but it is light weight.  Don’t be intimidated by the zippers because they are really not that difficult to install.  Just take your time and you will be amazed at how easy they are. 

I used a Nate Berkus home decorator weight fabric for my bag but you can use regular quilting cotton for yours.  This bag is going to be supported by interfacing anyway.  I had these fabrics on hand from my ridiculously large fabric stash but if you need fabrics for your project head over to Hobby Lobby or Fabric.com to get exactly what you need for your project.  I love these websites for purchasing fabric because the selection is so wide and have used them for fabric sources in the past with great results,  Give them a try if you haven’t before. If you do and you click on the links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  

If you would like a video tutorial of this project head over to my YouTube Channel and take a look at my video on how to create this project step-by-step and while you are there subscribe to my free YouTube channel.  

What you will Need: How to Make a Double Zipper Cross Body Bag

• 1/2 yd Exterior Fabric
• 1 yd Lining fabric
• 1/4 yd Pellon SF 101
• 2 1″ D Rings
• 2 1″ Swivel Clips
• 1 Magnetic Snap
• 2 16″ Nylon Zippers

Step 1: Cut Your Fabrics

Cut your Fabrics as Follows:

• 10 1/2″ x 19″ outer fabric x 2
• 10 1/2″ x 19″ lining fabric x 4
• 4″ x 6″ outer fabric for tabs
• 4″ x WOF for strap (Width of Fabric) or 42″
• 10 1/2″ x 19″ Pellon SF101 Interfacing x 2

Step 2: Fuse the iNterfacing

Fuse the Pellon SF101 to the two outer fabric pieces following the manufacturers instructions.  Simply place the glue side of interfacing to the wrong side of the outer fabric and press with a hot iron until the glue fuses 

Step 3: Cut the outer Fabric

Take one of the outer pieces and measure down 2″ and cut along the short edge.  Measure down 5″ from that cut edge and cut along the short edge again.  You will have three pieces of outer fabric.  

Step 4: Add the First zipper

Take the bottom of the three outer pieces and place it face up on your work surface.  Lay your zipper face down on the center of the zipper.  Place one of the lining pieces on top of the zipper so that you have a zipper sandwich.  Pin in place.  I used extra long zippers for this project because that is what I had on hand and I wanted to prevent any gaps that the upper edge of the zipper tape may cause.  Sew the zipper in place using a zipper foot.  Turn so that the right side of the outer fabric and zipper are showing.  Press and top stitch along the edge for a more professional look and to prevent the lining from catching in the zipper.  

Step 5: Add the other side of the zipper

Lay the middle third of the outer fabric on your work surface right sides up.  Place the raw edge of the zipper face down on the outer fabric.  Fold up the lining piece and place the bottom over the zipper so the zipper is sandwiched and there is a folded lining piece.  The lining piece will serve as one of the pockets.  Sew the zipper in place as you did previously.  Turn right sides out and top stitch.  You will need to open the zipper to top stitch.  

Step 6: Add the Second zipper

Place the second zipper face down on the top of the second piece.  Lay a second lining piece on top of that zipper to make a zipper sandwich as you did before.  Sew the zipper in place.  Press and top stitch.  

Step 7: Add the Final Front Piece

Finally lay the third and top outer piece of the bag onto your work surface.  Place the raw edge of the second zipper wrong sides down onto the outer fabric then fold up the second lining piece in the same way you did the first to make your zipper sandwich.  Sew the zipper in place.  Open the zipper to press and top stitch.  You will now have your two zippers and two pockets attached.  

Step 8: Add the Back 

Move the zipper pulls to the center of the zipper.  Place the other outer piece right sides together with the zippered pocket piece. Cut the bag to the length that you want. It’s alright to cut through the folded pocket piece as it will be sewn back together.  I cut mine to 15″ which may have been a bit long in retrospect. Sew around the sides and the bottom using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Clip the corners and the excess zippers without cutting through the stitching.  Turn the bag right sides out.  You will have the completed shell of your bag.

Step 9: Create the lining

Create the lining.  Cut the remaining lining pieces to the same length as the bag.  Sew around the lining sides and bottom leaving an opening at the bottom for turning.  

Step 10: Add the Snaps

Add the magnetic snap.  Measure down 1 1/4″ from the top center of the lining and place one side of the snap onto it so that it faces into the right side of the lining.  Place a small amount of interfacing on the wrong side of the lining to help support the snap.  If you are unfamiliar with magnetic snaps they are easy to install. Each side has prongs.  Mark the location of the prongs onto the lining piece and cut slits using a seam ripper or scissors.  Insert the prongs through the slits and put on the backing grommet.  Repeat for the other side. 

Step 11: Create the strap and Tabs

Make the tabs and the strap.  The best way to do this is to fold the raw edges to the center and press.  Fold in half again and press. Top stitch along both long edges.  You should have a strap that is 1″ x 42″ and two tabs that are 1″ x 3″.  Fold the tabs around the straight edge of the D-Ring. 

Step 12: Add the tabs

Clip the tabs to the side seams of the outer bag so the D-Rings are facing down.  I like to use wonder clips for this step because of the bulk.  If you don’t have any wonder clips you can use pins but if you would like to order some wonder clips you can get them here.  Insert the outer bag into the lining bag so that they are right sides together.  Sew all the way around the top using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Step 13: Turn the bag

Turn the bag right sides out through the opening you left in the lining.  Push the lining into the bag.  Press so that the top seam is crisp.  Top stitch around the top of the bag.  Sew the opening closed using ladder stitch.  

Step 14: Add the swivel clips

Add the swivel clips to the ends of the strap.  Simply fold the ends of the strap over the straight edge of the swivel clip and enclose the raw edges.  Sew across the strap to secure it to the swivel clip,  Clip the strap to the D-Rings and you have finished your double zipper cross body bag.  

 

  

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