HOW TO ADD A ZIPPER TO A TOTE BAG

A friend bought this tote bag in Mexico and asked me to put a zipper inside. You can use this method for installing a zipper in any old tote you have. The use of a flange makes the zipper look like it was always intended to be there.
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[@lindagiddes4551]

Excellent video and just what I needed, this is the only video I found that actually did what I asked. I googled how to add a zipper to a tote bag and everything came up showing how to make a tote bag and add the zipper!! Not what I wanted.. thank you for sharing this one, I can finally fix my shoulder hobo bag that had a snap closure

[@StephanieRubletz]

That's awesome Linda! Glad to help😁

[@shortiebae152]

I like that I learn something new any time I come around. Like!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thank you! I'm so glad ♥️

[@rubyre-dooz1519]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed, made a bag with loop and button closure but client now wants zipper installed instead, without taking bag apart, your video saved me much work and sanity!

[@cyborgmemoirs]

Appreciated the explanations around considering the existing structure/make of the already finished bag

[@juanitawoodruff6343]

Great Tutorial! My friend asked if I could do the same thing for her daughters bag. I searched and searched for a video that could help me. I found yours! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@StephanieRubletz]

I'm so happy I could help, thanks for watching❤️

[@daniellewhite2915]

I just did this to a cheap tote bag from the dollar store to keep toiletries for traveling! Super quick start to finish it only took about 20 minutes! I love it!

[@StephanieRubletz]

That's awesome Danielle! Way to go❤️

[@yougotmeinstitches1847]

Haya. Zippers are my arch nemesis, great tutorial. Your hair looks great. Thanku for sharing. x

[@StephanieRubletz]

They can be a pain for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@annamorriscreates]

Love your haircut! Thanks for doing your videos. I love your video style and they are super helpful.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks so much Anna!♥️

[@sclmb]

Thank you for posting this. I have a tote that I am retrofitting a zipper into and this tutorial was very helpful.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Oh good, glad I could help! Happy sewing!

[@adriannaolszewska405]

This is exactly what I needed, thank you for this tutorial!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@amandaaman4976]

Very useful tutorial. I have lots of totes that need zippers. Thankful for your tips and clear tutorial. Much love from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

[@CaroleLeeFinna]

THANK YOU! i just bought some canvas bags that i wanted to add this exact method but had no idea how. This is a perfect, clear, and concise tutorial.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thank you! Happy sewing❤️

[@atibamoyinoluwa]

This is so helpful. I learnt a lot of new things. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks so much for watching Atiba❤️

[@mercydcosta8982]

Brilliant tutorial..I finished stitching a tote bag last week...realised now it needs to be zipped up..your video helped immensely..thanks a ton..👍

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks Mercy!

[@joevalencic5275]

Nice to see a Singer series 29 Shoe Patcher in the background. I have a 29K70 built the week of December 8, 1943, and brought to the USA by a Scottish immigrant. I drove 250 miles each way to rescue mine, and I had to completely restore the base. Mine has the hand wheel on the side, and is still used in the treadle configuration. It doesn’t get used often, but it’s a lifesaver when it’s needed. It has no problem going through 6-8 layers of 1000D Cordura with Tex70 bonded nylon in my bag business. Nice tip on the zipper, BTW. I'm just starting to make totes with liners, and needed a way to retro fit a zipper panel in the top opening.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Hey Joe, you are right, these old stitchers are so solid! Thanks for watching! Good luck with your totes🙂

[@adrianamuzzaffar]

I referred to this tutorial to sew a zipper component onto my bag. Great tutorial! 😍😊👍🏼

[@StephanieRubletz]

That's great! Thanks for watching ♥️

[@nuriagiralt617]

I loved seeing the little helper's hands

[@StephanieRubletz]

Lol, yes I always have a little helper around❤️

[@villamorraqueljanel.8576]

This is so helpful 💕 thank you for your tutorial.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching❤️

[@practicalstitches2699]

Great job. Love your haircut😊

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thank you! ♥️

[@kschallert3569]

Great tutorial! Thanks!

[@StephanieRubletz]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching ♥️

[@mimimalone1993]

Exactly what I needed! Thanks!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Happy to help Mimi! Happy sewing❤️

[@gmaryam5474]

Wow love this tutorial, will try on my bag .thanks

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thank you! Good luck ❤️

[@MamaHummzz]

Perfecto! I am doing this right now! Thank you soooo much!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Awesome! Happy sewing♥️

[@cilcy849]

Great job girl!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks Cilcy!

[@swessel75]

Thank you !!!

[@juliakessler9478]

Fabulous!!! Thank you!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks for watching Julia ❤️

[@terideclercq4103]

You made that look easy! Plus you are hilarious😆

[@StephanieRubletz]

I do like to have a laugh lol

[@pinkdoll2958]

Amazing

[@ienehanceit]

Thankyou sooo much m, this was very helpful ❤️

[@StephanieRubletz]

You're welcome Neha! Thanks for watching❤️

[@suzyh1399]

Excellent!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks Suzy!

[@hpvanduuren]

Thanks for Showing how to install a zipper into a Tote Bag, and since I recently created a blog post about making Promo Video's I also shared a link to your Video on my Movie Blog !

[@StephanieRubletz]

Wow! Thanks so much for your support!

[@pureaquafina4732]

Well explained

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks so much❤️

[@brightonst]

Hi, just the tut I need. Thanks

[@StephanieRubletz]

I'm so glad! Thanks for watching❤️

[@bellepoupee61]

Good tutorial! TFS. Christine

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks Christine! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@504013]

Super super tutorial.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks Felisha!

[@LisaTheBlonde]

Zippers are evil lol my iron decided to go on strike. So little trick I’ve been using my hair straightener. It actually works very well on small projects. 🤣

[@StephanieRubletz]

Hey good thinking!!

[@amybiblewski6038]

This is a great technique & I really like the idea of adding interfacing to the zipper flange to stabilize it. I added a zipper to a bag once before the it was a struggle - this looks much easier. So if I have a lining not yet attached to the outer bag & want to attached the zipper piece to the lining would I turn it inside out too? Then attached it to the bag? Hope that makes sense. -- OH MY GOSH! It worked. It was a little awkward because the bag I'm adding the zipper to is a Mondo bag & it's not straight across the top. Had to fuss / cuss a bit but it totally worked! THANKS!

[@StephanieRubletz]

Oh I'm so glad it worked! I just was looking at my comments from inside the desktop version of youtube, and there are way more comments here than I get on the app. Sorry I missed this one at first! Happy sewing!

[@scpatl4now]

I have a bag with a lining that I want to add a zipper too...I need to look and see if you did one like that

[@StephanieRubletz]

I haven't done a video on that yet. Without seeing your project, my best advice would be to install the zip on the outer fabric, then use a hidden ladder stitch to stitch there lining around the other side of the zip. I hope that helps!

[@PetiteK24]

Hello~ when adding zippers to tote bags, should the zipper be longer or shorter than the space where it’s being sewn into? I have a bag where the length is 19 inch on top but don’t know how to measure the length of the opening space in between where I would sew the zipper.

[@user-lk8og7em2z]

😊

[@samsnow4979]

I have a problem with a computer bag, that being a broken zipper. Since the bag is a bit heavy, the zipper will have to be switching will need to be fairly strong. I'm trying to figure out how to put this fairly stiff bag through my machine. I'm thinking I can put it through, basically sewing it from the inside, but I'm not sure what will happen at the corners of the bag. It is somewhat flexible heavy nylon so it seems doable. What are your thoughts? As always, love your work.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Hey Sam! I think you could sew it from the inside as you suggest. Make sure that you are using a heavy duty needle like a denim needle or a top stitching needle. Good luck!

[@samsnow4979]

Thanks so much. I've been kicking this around for a bit unsure of how to go about this. The bag is a good one, fairly expensive, so I don't want to let it go.

[@barbra429]

Do regular zippers hold up well in totes and purses?

[@StephanieRubletz]

It really depends on how much stress the zipper will be under. If you are putting a zip in a small purse that holds a tiny wallet and a lipstick then you can probably get away with a thinner dress zipper but if your are doing a tote that is going to be used as a book bag then you would want to go with the most heavy duty zip you can find. The bigger the teeth on the zip the stronger it will be. And metal will always be stronger than plastic. I hope that helps. Happy sewing ❤️

[@basedchris8784]

I really wanted to put a zipper on a canvas bag I have but this looks impossible to me having never sewed anything before lol

[@YenieD13]

I have a cross body bag that I would love to do that to… scared to sew on leather

[@StephanieRubletz]

Leather can be intimidating. Maybe try it on a cotton tote first to gain confidence?

[@cassieconner9387]

How would you add a zipper with lining

[@StephanieRubletz]

You know I really do need to do a tutorial on that. It's a bit much to explain here. I'll put that in my recording que.

[@madelainem2]

I wonder if you can attach a zipper to a structured bag

[@StephanieRubletz]

Not sure I know what you mean by structured. Do you mean of it's lined?

[@madelainem2]

@@StephanieRubletz A bag that is stiff and structured, can stand up by itself.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Gotcha, I think you could it would really be a matter of you want to see the stitches go through to the outside or not. So functionally yes. But it might not have the look you want.

[@pennymcpherson6292]

Can you do a video of how you can add a zipper to a Victoria secret tote bag?

[@ujjainimukherjee2267]

Your eyes.... Only Indians have big and beautiful eyes like that.... Regarding the video, you have taken so much care for the zipper, if I were you I would handstich the zipper unit to the bag with matching threads.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Oh thank you so much❤️ Yes that would have gone in nicely hand stitched as well. It could have been more invisible for sure. (Truthfully, my friend was heading out on a trip and she needed it done fast so she could pack.) Thanks for watching!

[@ebenzershroff5354]

Complicated

[@cbowens215]

Geez what if someone just wanted to add the zipper to the bag..... this seemed so 🙄

[@StephanieRubletz]

Yep you could totally just add the zipper. But the friend I was doing this for really appreciates nice finishes on things and I like to go above and beyond for my friends so I mimicked what I saw in nice commercially produced bags.

[@panderichthys_rhombolepis]

The quality of the video at the vital parts of the instruction dropped considerably (and it was not just my internet connection), so couldn't see the details of you attaching the zipper to the flange. That was pretty disappointing and marred what would have been a pretty good video. That is a pity.

[@StephanieRubletz]

Thanks for the feedback

[@panderichthys_rhombolepis]

@@StephanieRubletz Thank you very much for putting this up.