How to Make a Double Zipper Handbag
I love making handbags. This is a simple double zipper handbag that is a great beginner bag making project. Even though it has two zippers they are easy to stitch. I used continuous zippers for my double zipper handbag but you can use regular zippers and cut them to size. This is a terrific little bag to store your pone and other essentials for a day or evening out. It’s all about the fabrics for this one. If you would like more handbag projects check out my other handbag patterns here.
Speaking of fabrics. You could choose day or evening fabrics for this project. I chose a shimmering yellow and black that could be used for either. My fabrics came from JOANN Fabric & Craft Stores. You could head to Hobby Lobby, Fabric.com or onlinefabricstore.net to get exactly what you need for your double zipper handbag. This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What you will Need: How to Make a Double Zipper Handbag
- 1/4 yd main outer fabric
- 1/4 yd accent fabric
- 1/2 yd lining fabric
- 1/4 yd Fusible fleece like Pellon TP971F or 987F
- 1/2″ D ring
- 1″ Swivel clip
- 8 1/4″ zipper
- 6 3/4″ zipper
Step 1: Cut your Fabrics
Cut your fabrics as follows:
- 2 accent pieces that measure 8 1/4″ x 2 3/8″ and corresponding fleece pieces that measure 7 1/2″ x 1 1/2″.
- 2 main outer fabric pieces that measure 8 1/4″ x 4 3/4″ and corresponding fleece pieces
- 1 accent piece that measures 2 1/3″ x 2 3/8″ for the D-Ring Tab
- 2 lining pieces that measure 8 1/4″ x 6 3/8″
- 1 lining piece that measures 8 1/4″ x 7 7/8″
- 1 main outer fabric piece that measures 19″ x 4″
- 2 outer squares that measure 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ for the zipper tabs
- 2 Lining squares that measure 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ for the zipper tabs
Step 1: Add the Zipper Tabs
Take the 6 3/4″ zipper and add the zipper tabs. To do this add the lining square to the bottom of the zipper right sides up and the outer square right sides down on the zipper at both ends. Stitch the tabs to the zipper using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Open the zipper tabs and topstitch along the seams.
Step 2: fuse the fleece
Fuse the fleece to the outer and accent pieces following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 3: Round the corners
Take the outer fabrics that measure 8 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ and round the bottom corners. Repeat for the lining pieces.
Step 4: Add the Small zipper
Place one of your main outer pieces right sides up on your work surface. Place the zipper right sides down on the main fabric. Lay the lining piece that measures 8 1/4″ x 7 7/8″ right sides down on top of the zipper to make a zipper sandwich. Using a zipper foot stitch the zipper through all three layers. Open up the fabrics to expose the zipper and press. Topstitch along the zipper. Fold up the lining to meet the other side of the zipper and clip. Place one of the accent pieces right sides down onto the zipper where you have clipped the lining and reclip. Stitch the zipper using a zipper foot. Topstitch along the zipper.
Step 5: Create the other side of the bag
Place the remaining accent piece and outer piece right sides together and stitch using a 3/8″ seam allowance. Press the seam open and topstitch along the top and bottom of the seam to secure. Place the two outer bag pieces right sides together with the top edges matching. Trim the excess outer fabric from the zipper piece to match the other piece so they are even.
Step 6: Create the D-Ring Tab
Take the D-Ring piece and fold the raw edges to the center and press. Fold in half again to enclose the raw edges and press. Top stitch along both sides. Wrap the tab around the D-Ring. Add the D-Ring about half way down on the accent piece on the left side of the zipper side of the bag and stitch to secure.
Step 7: Add the long zipper
Place the zipper piece right sides up on your work surface. Lay the zipper right sides down on the zipper piece then place the lining piece right sides down on the zipper making a zipper sandwich and clip. Stitch the zipper using a zipper foot through all layers. Top stitch along the zipper. Place the outer bag piece right sides up on your work surface. Lay the zipper wrong sides down on the lining and the other lining piece right sides down on the zipper making a zipper sandwich. Stitch through all layers using a zipper foot and top stitch the zipper.
Step 8: finish the double zipper handbag
Place the lining pieces right sides together and the outer pieces right sides together with the zipper in the center. Clip. Make sure the zipper is partially open. Stitch all the way around the bag using a 1/4″ seam allowance and leaving an opening at the bottom of the lining for turning. Turn the bag through the opening in the lining and the zipper. Stitch the opening closed using ladder stitch or your machine.
Step 9: Create the Strap
Take the 4″ x 19″ main outer piece and fold the long raw edges into the center and press. Fold in half to enclose the raw edges. Place the swivel clip on your step. Sew the short ends together using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Top stitch along both sides of the strap moving the clip out of the way as you go. Fold the step in half so that swivel clip is on the end and stitch across the strap to secure the swivel clip. You have now finished your double zipper handbag.
I hope you enjoyed this double zipper handbag. If you would like more sewing and crafting projects sign up for our newsletter and receive your free eBook of 15 handbag patterns and tutorials taken from the blog.