I did it. I conquered my fear of sewing in a zipper.
Our aunt was here for Thanksgiving (hi Jeanne!) and requested one of my tote bags, but with a zipper. I have to admit that I did panic a bit. I’ve been admiring and fearing them since I started sewing last year.
I did my internet research and found a few zipper tutorials to work off of. Like here and here and here.
Then I went to the store and bought an enormous zipper. I ended up buying a coat zipper. I didn’t realize that until afterwards, but that’s ok. It does its job well on a bag too.
Not too bad for my first shot. The one thing that I couldn’t do was the top stitch. My mighty strong Singer can’t go through both the quilted lining and the zipper. Maybe I’ll get a stronger machine some day…
Jeanne made some good fabric choices too,from Amy Butlers Daisy Chain line.
I was so excited that I did it that I just had to try a few little bags. It’s cake!
Please don’t mind the wrinkles. :) I didn’t add interfacing to the larger one so it’s quite a flopper. It definitely makes a difference to just add a lightweight interfacing.
On a different subject, Andrew and I are getting very excited for the trip we’re planning. It looks like we’ll be sitting on the beach for a week on Cape Cod in July. SWEET!! This will be our first little family trip and I can’t wait.
It feels so good just thinking about a beach after the past week of frigid temps. We had to miss Andrew’s company party on Friday night. He left work at 4:30 and didn’t get home until 7 – it’s normally a 20 minute commute. There was no way we were getting back in the car and heading back downtown. I had already driven the kids to Grams (in a white-out) for a sleepover to prepare for our evening out. Kinda disappointing, but we did go out to dinner close to home. That was followed by a movie on the couch and a night of uninterrupted sleep.
It was a treat. At the same time, it’s so sad going to bed and walking past the empty bedrooms. That’s just the emotional person that I am. We’ve never even had a babysitter outside of family. I get laughed at a lot about that. Call me a dork it you’d like. Yes Caren, I am expecting a comment from you on that one.
Thank you!!!! I, too, am scared to try sewing on a zipper. I will attempt it now. I really want a little bag to match my tote so thanks for sharing the tutorials.
Posted by: Missy | January 20, 2009 at 07:54 AM
They look great! Love the fabric and the lining...and the zipper insertion looks wonderful. Nice work!
Posted by: Sarah | January 20, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Ohh now you know you're going to have to teach me! I'm still on the scaredy-pants side.
Great job.
Posted by: josie | January 20, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Missy- Don't be scared! If I can do it, anyone can. It really is easy. Let me know how it goes!
Sarah- You're too much. Glad you liked my insertion! :)
Josie- C'mon! You are a freakin crafting genious. I'd be embarrassed to show you anything! However, I'd be glad to if you can show me how to sew up a hole by hand so that it doesn't look like Molly did it.
Posted by: me | January 20, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Nice job! I've tried many different zipper tutes and the one I liked most is the mini-stuff stasher from Halcyon Green - logical and easy-to-follow! http://halcyongreen.blogspot.com/2008/04/mini-stuff-stasher-free-pattern.html
Posted by: Mymsie | January 24, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Yea!! I told you you could jump right in there and do it! Nice :)
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