How to Sew a Simple Zipped Bag (Daily Vlogs - 24th May 2020)

: : All money earned from all my videos throughout May 2020 will be split between these two charities : :
* National Emergencies Trust - nationalemerge...
* Children’s Society - www.childrenss...
These vlogs document our ordinary daily life during the extraordinary time of the covid-19 lockdown in the UK. Today is Zipper Bag Tutorial Day!
To make your bag you will need:
- Contrast fabric (bag bottom) - 11” x 5” - cut two
- Main fabric (bag top) - 11” x 6.5” - cut two
- Lining fabric - 11” x 11” - cut two
- interfacing - 11”x11” - cut two
- Any embellishments such as d-rings, buttons, or handles etc.
- A zip at least 11” long.
- A couple of scrappy bits of fabric for the zip tabs
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I am on Ravelry and Instagram as @starryeyesali
I also upload regular long podcasts where I discuss my knitting and crochet: • All my Knitting & Croc...
If you want to support me personally by buying me "a coffee": ko-fi.com/litt...
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Relevant links to stuff I go on about:
* Every week day morning we join in with "PE with Joe": • Announcing "P.E with J... (live 9-9:30am GMT every week day.)
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My channel is about crochet, knitting, yarn, crafts and all the good stuff - as well as regular daily vlogs. I live in Kent, in the UK, with my long-suffering husband and my 2 delightful daughters.)
I hope you enjoy my vlogs, I try to make them a mix of reality and fun. In these uncertain times both are important.
Enjoy, wash your hands, stay home!
Ali xx
Music: Epidemic Sound

[@lindamcneely]

If you make your pattern from freezer paper you can iron them onto your fabric and it is so much easier to cut out. no pinning and you can use it over and over again.

[@journeysthroughknitting9830]

Zippers were totally my nemesis until I found two things: wider zippers so I don't have to sew so close to the teeth (check out www.byannie.com/zippers) and Wonder Tape or Steam-a-Seam (basically double-sided tape you can use to glue the zipper in place before sewing it and the glue doesn't gum up your sewing machine needle, and it will wash away if you wash you bag). Now zippers are a breeze because I just glue them down and I don't even need a zipper foot because the zipper has enough fabric on either side of the teeth! I learned that by measuring 1.5" from the seams and cutting that square out, then folding and sewing with a 1/4" seam allowance, the bag bottom will be (2 x 1.5") + (2 x 1/4") = 3 1/2" wide on the outside. So if you wanted a 3" wide bottom, you would need to remember to remove the seam allowances from what you measure the square to be. Not a big deal on a big bag like this, but I was trying to sew a little notions pouch and the pattern had a 3.5" wide bottom, with 1/2" seam allowance, so it was 4.5" wide at the end (the pattern uses the slightly harder "match the seams, sew across at 3.5" wide, trim excess" method). I love the buttons! Something so simple totally changes the bag from nice to "neat!" I may dig through my button stash and try that out some time!

[@vimalaranggasami5894]

You are so clever Ali. I have been amazed with your self taught sewing skills. You have certainly inspired me to make a bag too. Thank you for your hard work in making the tutorial. You are very much appreciated by my girls too.🥰🥰⚘⚘🤗🤗

[@angelamcentee1277]

Thank you. I'm having "fun" making a dodgy project bag for a friend.

[@OLIVIA-mb9pb]

Awesome idea! beautiful thanks for sharing. 🙏🏽❤️

[@manuelitaruiz9783]

Ive been enjoying your bags, i love all of them. But i also love those scissors you are using, i was wondering what is the name ,and where can i buy some? Can you put it on your description box Thank you so much.❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@leilamenendez7002]

Missing your blog today 😣😣😣😣 hope you and your family are doing well!

[@marycase5473]

What a terrific, genuine, realistic tutorial!! Thank you for filming your process! Well done, Ali!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💜

[@greeth8689]

Thank you for the tutorial. Good to know that instead of tuna for the drawstring bags, you are using peaches and pear cans for the zipper bag! LOL

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

😅 I like to change things up 😄

[@greeth8689]

Little Drops of Wonderful please please pretty please keep on doing so! Xxxx

[@cardsbypanda]

I liked your tutorial way more, than the “professionals”.

[@s.wilson5199]

I love that you re-use school shirts. I do as well! Stacking the brown button on the large button might have been interesting. Who knows? I sew the same way you do. I just kind of go with whatever strikes me. Winging it results in interesting, if not always intended results. I crochet the same way. I start following a pattern then start wondering what would happen if I make a little change. By the end of the project, the product may or may not resemble the original idea. I learn a lot trying to fix issues I inadvertently create. Nevertheless, I either have something uniquely me or I frog it and have learned something new! (My craziest project started with the intent of making summer hat with a brim and ended as a winter beret!😂)

[@joreynolds5384]

Very nice tutorial but I missed the girls. Thank you

[@debbiemorehouse6222]

Thank you for sharing this. Your videos on sewing are my favorite. I have already made 3

[@joankiely3614]

I only have 3 words to say .................. you are amazing !!!!!!! 💕😍❤️😊🥰😘

[@sonfederman8212]

I love your bags and even better I love that they are dodgy because that's what I do. So I have permission to continue doing it.

[@rhondasmith4112]

Alli those are awesome, thank you for tutorial I’m definitely going to be making some as well as dodgy bags I have tons of fabric that need used.....I never ever seem to get my seems closed either lol.....beautiful vlog ❤️❤️❤️thank u for sharing

[@6Pringles]

Great instructions, thanks! One question: can you make a video on how to add a flap to cover the top, please?

[@LesliesLakeLife]

Love this tutorial! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@RoseLafreniere]

Oh now I don't feel bad about my missing spots of sewing

[@calicaister4675]

Thank you for another great tutorial. I've watched others put zips in but I've never been very successful but I am going to give it another go now . I've managed to do 4 of your drawstring bags 👍. I'm a newbie and been catching up with recent videos but now I'm started at day 1 lol .Thank you

[@sweetypieruth]

Thank you! Followed your tutorial for the drawstring bag , now this will be my next task. Your instructions make it all less scary 😁 x love your blogs and you and your family are such a lovely ray of light at this difficult time. x

[@carolloch3446]

I love the fact that you cut out your peaces lick I do thank you ❤️

[@angelamears3201]

A fantastic tutorial Ali.........I shall definitely give it a go! Now here’s something for you......there is a brilliant tutorial on the Seasalt website.........how to do a sketchbook LOBSTER!! Check it out........! Sharon x

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

Oooo! I shall take a look 🦞🦞🦞🦞

[@beverleyshaver864]

Thanks Ali. I tried to make a zip bag this last Christmas and messed it up. I’m actually willing to give it another try after watching your tutorial.

[@eroggy24]

Definitely want to try your bag pattern!!

[@christinemarsden2157]

Wwll done, Ali. Definitely not too dodgy a Dodgy Bag xx

[@suedale1865]

Busy bee dodgy bag lady 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jackiesummers6699]

That was great Ali. Thank you.

[@margaretswann6805]

Really enjoy your videos. Well done.

[@juneclifford8377]

Great tutorial. Thank you.

[@sandivandervoort4305]

Thanks for the tutorial!

[@DixieDoodles]

Great tutorial! Thank you

[@joannecutrone4809]

Love your tutorials on the bags. Beautiful bags.🥰

[@ruthsmith6585]

fab tutorial, thank you ❤️

[@marilynpruett4973]

I'm not good with zips so usually make drawstring. May I suggest you use a slightly wider seam? 5/8ths is usually the recommended, not that much more than what you use.🤔 I liked the brown bottomed one a bit more, but both are great. And sneaky making the other one too!!! Proves they don't take that long. Hope it cools down a bit. We're about to get the first hot humid days... hate it!!! Thank goodness for a/c!!! An absolute necessity here. Stay safe lovely peoples... take care. 💛

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

A good suggestion as it might prevent my missing some edges! I’ll try a wider seam next time 👍🏻 Oh how I dream of a/c 😅

[@nicholaulyatt638]

Both bags are so pretty. I really love the blue denim with the yellow x

[@crochetqueen6440]

I have turned off my adblocker for you this month Ali! I don't do that for just anyone you know :P And you've got me wanting to sew another bag with my newly purchased fabric.. So to try a zipped one! Thanks so much :)

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

😅 thank you so much!!! 😘😘😘

[@janeyoung6692]

Superb no nonsense tutorial Ali! I’m new to your channel and I’m hooked!! xxx

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

Thank you so much Jane! 😘

[@janisharrismurray8508]

You are so fun lol, thank you for the joy

[@judithdennis8377]

Thank you for this great tutorial. I have been avoiding the zippers, but with your great tutorial, I will give it a try. Love all your hints and suggestions. You do a great job.

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

I am so glad it has inspired you to give it a go! xx

[@jericho1961]

Am I the only one who had this awesome tutorial play with no adverts at all? I even refreshed to make sure and nothing again. This seems very unfair after all the time and effort you invested in this great video. Maybe double check your advert settings and revert back to how it used to be or just have both types running?

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

I think sometimes they don’t play - it’s a mystery! Don’t worry though, I’ve checked and the video is earning revenue for our charity donation 🤗😘

[@MokkiLife]

Sooooooo Cute!!!! Thanks!

[@clasihandmade]

I will try this one

[@mijuliebarker9580]

stop being so bloody hard on yorself lady !!! your brilliant and down to earth, luv your vids xxx

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

😄 thank you! Note taken! 🥰😘

[@dorididit]

OMG again you have made this looks so easy I am going to have to give this a try not too fond of zippers thank you for sharing. ♡ Dori

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

Thank you Dori! I’m so happy you found this useful ☺️

[@Stephlovesnapping]

Beautiful bags!!

[@Groucholiz]

Maybe I'm being a bit dim here, but surely if you sew - then you're a sewer? (Or sewist)

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

I guess I mean I’m self taught and not an expert 😊

[@priscillamcgarry5200]

Perfect, just what I needed for help with my bag.

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

I’m so glad it was helpful to you! 🥰

[@unikoknits]

Omg. I really enjoyed both of your tutorials! I'm primerly a knitter. I tryed some sewing - but it's not even near to what I would like it to look. But now I feel encourage to try making some bags! I think that I know what I was doing wrong - being to lazy to use an iron 😇 I think I will strat with drawstrings bag. Thank you so much! 💕

[@clasihandmade]

I made three from your drawstring bag to tutorial

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

Yay! I love to hear that bags are successfully being made from my dodgy tutorial! 🤗

[@heleendykstra3608]

I am so going to make one of these!

[@chickiemagoo9995]

Omgosh Ali... I'm halfway through my very first zipped bag because of you...!! Thank you so much, I've never put in a zip in my life before but you made it seem possible. I am so a fan of a 'dodgy' anything lol... doesn't have to be pretty to be functional lol... I'm hoping to finish my first bag this afternoon (I'm in Australia, 10.25am in the morning here)... wish me luck and thanks again! Love your Daily Vlogs so much... even though I'm a pensioner, I would love to follow you on to patreon when you get it all sorted xx

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

This makes me so happy to read! I’m glad my “dodgy tutorial” helped you! ✨🥰🤗

[@chickiemagoo9995]

@@LittleDropsofWonderful Ali!!! I did it!! I finished my very first zipper bag...woohoo!! I will be entering this into the Dodgy Bag MAL tomorrow. Thank you so much again... on the weekend I have set myself the goal of making 2...yes TWO... dodgy drawstring bags following your recipe!! hehe...

[@annettemonty7350]

cool thank you

[@glendabathgate4036]

Great thanks

[@AvaScott-Elliott-qd7sm]

I often think about the Great Depression when quilts and such were made out of what you had on hand...and food was prepared based on what you could throw together....it was solely survival but thru the years ladies have taken it to new heights and made sewing&creating an art...CoCo Channel designed flying by the seat of her pants & I admire & respect that way of thinking...

[@lindarose712]

Super video tutorial! I don’t have a sewing machine, but was interested to see what was required to make a bos bottom bag- Thank you for sharing how you approach the Make! 💕💫

[@lindarose712]

It was a typo, but now I see that “boss-bottom-bag” is quite a marketable title. Feel free to adopt it 😂😁💫🧶

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

😅 that’s a great term! Maybe for the next tutorial 😄

[@DixieGirl9876]

Well done! I also use embroidery thread for buttons. I make my bags in the same manner, just whatever gets the job done, I've even pieced scraps of the interfacing. lol Sometimes I leave one of the box corners open to turn the bag through, if it's 2 inches of larger. (It shows less when you sew it closed afterwards.)

[@stitcht78]

Ali thank you so much for sharing this!!! I'm so excited to grab some old pantaloons I have lying around and t-shirts that my giant man baby has grown out of and make some 😁😁😁😁

[@lorihanson1774]

I really enjoyed the making of Knitting Project Bag with a zipper. You are very good at sharing and instructing. I'm so glad I finally got to watch. Sending love to you, Dan, Phoebe and Lillian. ❤️💛💚💙💜✨☺️🐑🦋🌼

[@debba1497]

Thank you for your great tutorials!! I am trying to get up the courage to sew a square bottom double drawstring bag and some face masks for my daughter who has UC. I haven't used my machine in forever (seriously about 20 years) so here goes nothing. LOL Take care!!

[@lesleyoliver5582]

Great! Now, if I can remember how to use my sewing machine🤔. I’ll be giving this a go 🤞🏻. Thank you very much 🤩. Stay safe and well. From Australia 🐨🐨🦘🦘

[@laurengreen2133]

I love your videos they are so inspirational.. may I ask where you get your interfacing from as it’s a good thickness .. as I am also a beginner with the sewing machine . And have been making fabric boxes and bags but need them to be more stiff.

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

Hi, and thank you ☺️ I get thick interfacing from John Lewis or eBay - the brand is Vilene. I like iron on stuff too, which I buy from John Lewis (when it’s open! 😅) xx

[@laurengreen2133]

@@LittleDropsofWonderful thank you so much ... I will have to have a look. ❤️

[@wendyfriday7533]

Have just found you on tube and am loving your tutorials. So laid back and easy to understand. And no big panic if you make a mistake. My kind of sewing. Thank you.

[@countingsheepatsunrisehill9019]

A wonderful tutorial! 👍👏🍾 Thank-you for taking the mystery out of putting in the zips!

[@marynolan6823]

Hi Ali, Thank-you so much for this. Ag tutorial , your methods are just like mine, you have given me the confided Nice to make a bag, love your videos. ❤️

[@vitalsparkmassage]

Hi Ali. I so love how your bags look, even when you wing it. They all including your drawstring bag look great. YOU have so inspired me i actually got the sewing machine i was given out and gave it a go! I was nervous about getting it wrong that i haven't before. It has been 30 years since i last used a sewing machine. So i decided to join in the dodgybagmal XXX THANK YOU

[@lindadaley7469]

Thank you for sharing these patterns with us. I had not thought to use old jeans for bags. I save the legs of my jeans and my husbands work pants to use as patches for pants that we presently wear so they kind of match current clothes and we can get a "few more turns out of them" as my Mom used to say. I have to tell you something funny! I had asked you about the bank holiday thing. Then a couple of days ago I was looking at the calendar in the kitchen and on it I noticed that it had marked Monday as a bank holiday in UK! I never noticed this on the calendar before. Obviously I am not the most observant person in the world! lol!

[@aradhanawilson5823]

Very interesting tutorial for stitching dodgy bags .I shall also try to make one. You're perfect in making them. You are an inspiration to me. Kumudini.

[@123CAT1234]

Fabulous tutorial, thank you. I’m going to get my sewing machine out today (30th May) and hopefully have a dodgy bag to enter into the MAL. 😊👜

[@epiphany8276]

Love this tutorial. Zips are my nemesis but I will use your tutorial and make a dodgy zipper bag. My last bag was made without a zipper foot for my machine to put in the zip and was quite wobbly! but soon after I bought a foot but have not used it yet. Tomorrow ! I have been inspired!!

[@chrismitchell4583]

Thank you for a great tutorial. I love , love, love your blogs every day. I made 2 draw string bags last time, first one more dodgy than the other, however I enjoyed making them so much. Zipper bags here I come.

[@lorijakuc5719]

Your tutorial for zippered bags is so easy to follow and understand. I have only been doing drawstring bags but am no longer afraid to get out zippers and try anew style! Thank you for taking the time with this video🥰🤗👝

[@shelleylewis8426]

Thanks for creating a nice slow tutorial for us newbie sewers. "What the hell!!!" I laughed...

[@amandall3633]

Great tutorial Ali👌I've bought those tiny wooden pegs, to use along side those clips, you can get quite a few in wilcos or the works, and I actually found the easier to use, than those plastic clip, arthritic fingers, being a nuisance. 😊 💕

[@graceheron963]

You taught yourself to this skill. Well done ‼️🇺🇸 best regards from South Florida, USA

[@helenoreillylong9497]

Terrific tutorial. Not being too swift on the sewing I am going to try a drawstring type bag....once I can buy a little fabric. I must confess that I am in no hurry to go out into the world so it may be some time yet. It’s a little something to look forward to later on.

[@suzanneharris2773]

I finally finished a zipper bag following your tutorial. You explained everything so well. I'd not used a sewing machine before either! It worked practically perfectly so thank you Ali x

[@UrbanGypsyCrochet]

Lovely bags. I have yet to delve into the realms of sewing bags no matter how dodgy.

[@EvieO1950]

Great job with the tutorial!! I think I can actually do this although it’s been years since I put in a zipper. I had no idea to make the boxed bottom, you make it look easy! I don’t do Ravelry so won’t enter the MAL but really appreciate the tutorials!!

[@maggiemiller6431]

I just love how you figure out as you go a long you do such great work and you have great ideas. I like the fact that you use what you have and you aren't showing tons of fabric behind you . Love your channel

[@maxis14]

Thank you for your great tutorial, Ali! I'm not a good sewer, but I made three project bags yesterday with your video and they turned out really nice ☺🌻

[@yarnmugspodcast9123]

Thank you so much for this fantastic tutorial. I’m attempt to make one with a zip 🤞

[@mrscraftalot]

Thank you! This is sooo great and feels very empowering to me as a beginner sewer. The bags are very pretty!

[@brandysmith4361]

That was fun!! I have made two of the drawstring bags and now I'm excited to do the zipper version! Thank you for an instructive yet relaxed tutorial 😊

[@Lunasterknit]

Thank you for sharing this ! i hope to have some time left to make one for the dodgy bag mal is finished !

[@Sch0229-o7n]

A little hello from France, thank you for your videos: I am very satisfied to watch them !

[@livtennes9405]

Thanks! I’ve really wanted to make a bag of my own, and with this tutorial I’m sure I can make it! ❤️ It’ll be my summer project! Love your bags ⭐️

[@margaretnorth7103]

I really enjoyed the tutorial. How I wish that I was still able to sew as I did years ago but my fingers are no longer nimble enough. Knitting isn't a problem thankfully.

[@leilamenendez7002]

Ali thank you thank you for this beautiful tutorial, oh and the zipper oh the zipper! You made it all so easy peasy! Love it!!!

[@pihautala9560]

Greetings from Finland. What a good tutorial! Thank you 🤗

[@AnonymousAmyMakes]

I've made two of these today and I'm totally addicted! So simple and very easy to change the size to anything you like! Thanks again!!!

[@heathertucker7056]

Thank you so much Ali for another bag tutorial! I managed to make a drawstring one so now the challenge of a zipped one! You are so good at these- thank you so much xx

[@micheleellis3338]

Thank you so much, I’m trying to work up the courage to try one, or two. 😁👍🏻 🕊❤️

[@fleurday9438]

Ali drops the mic!! Booooom xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@LittleDropsofWonderful]

😂😘

[@deborahdosunmu4778]

Thank you for your videos! You are a joy to watch and made some of your bags! Thank you 🙏

[@christinewoodridge4087]

Well done. Loved it. You’re very inspirational. 💕💕

[@sallyhughes7200]

Love your tutorials Ali! You would make a lovely teacher😊 xx

[@beverleycheshire5437]

Loved the tutorial. Thank you so much ☺️

[@lindachadwick2911]

Ade me laugh when you said you pick out embellishments and then forget to use them!i do too.

[@MrsMelrom]

so many possibilities -once my machine has been serviced- thank you