🧵 How to Make a Zippered Shoulder Bag with an Outside Pocket

Certainly! Here’s a detailed guide on how to make a zippered shoulder bag with an outside pocket. This sewing project is suitable for beginners to intermediate sewists and can be customized in size, color, and fabric type.

🧵 How to Make a Zippered Shoulder Bag with an Outside Pocket

✂️ Materials Needed:

• Main fabric (e.g., canvas, cotton, or denim): ½ yard

• Lining fabric: ½ yard

• Fusible interfacing (medium to heavy weight): ½ yard

• 12”–14” zipper (for main opening)

• 7” zipper (for outside pocket)

• 1.5” or 2” wide webbing or fabric for the shoulder strap: 1.25 yards

• Matching thread

• Basic sewing tools: sewing machine, scissors, pins, iron, measuring tape, marking pen

📏 Finished Dimensions (Adjustable):

Approx. size: 10” wide x 9” tall x 2.5” deep

🪡 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Cut Your Fabric

From main fabric:

• (2) 11” x 10” rectangles – bag front/back

• (1) 3” x 28” strip – gusset (sides and bottom)

• (1) 8” x 5” – outside pocket

From lining fabric:

• (2) 11” x 10” – bag lining

• (1) 3” x 28” – gusset lining

• (1) 8” x 5” – lining for outside pocket

From interfacing:

• Fuse to all main fabric pieces for structure

2. Make the Outside Zipper Pocket

1. Prepare pocket pieces (outer and lining, both 8” x 5”).

2. Center and sew the 7” zipper between the outer and lining fabrics (right sides together), using a zipper foot.

3. Flip right side out and topstitch along the zipper.

4. Sew the pocket onto one main body panel, centered horizontally and about 2” from the top.

3. Assemble the Bag Exterior

1. Sew the gusset strip to the sides and bottom of the front panel, right sides together.

2. Repeat with the back panel, creating the outer shell of the bag.

3. Install the main zipper:

   • Place the zipper face-down on the top edge of the outer bag (right side up), then lay the lining on top, right side down.

   • Sew with a zipper foot.

   • Repeat for the other side of the zipper with the remaining outer and lining pieces.

4. Topstitch both sides of the zipper.

4. Make the Strap (Optional: Use Webbing)

If making from fabric:

• Cut a strip 4” wide x 48” long.

• Fold in half lengthwise, then fold each edge toward the center, press, and topstitch both edges.

• Attach each end to the sides of the bag, either by sewing into the seam or using D-rings.

5. Assemble the Lining

1. Sew the gusset to the lining pieces just like the outer shell, leaving a 5” opening in the bottom seam for turning.

2. With the zipper open, place the outer bag and lining right sides together and sew all around the top opening.

6. Turn and Finish

1. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining.

2. Stitch the lining opening closed (by hand or machine).

3. Push the lining into the outer shell and press the top edge.

✅ Final Touches:

• Add rivets or snap closures if desired.

• Consider edge painting or sealing for a more professional look.

• Decorate the outside pocket with a label or embellishment.

👜 Tips:

• Use a walking foot for thick fabrics or layers.

• Press seams well for a neat finish.

• Use coordinating zipper and thread colors for a polished look.

Would you like a printable version or illustrations for this tutorial?

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