How to Sew a Stitched Chic Zippered Top Tote Bag

[@charmainskeete5983]

Hi Andrea. I love how you teach. You take your time to explain, I learnt so much from you. Thank you.

[@emberlegacy3410]

This is my second time making this bag, I love it. It's in my top three favorite bags on Sewspire. Thank you Andrea for this great pattern.

[@Sewspire]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@rakiyatrout]

You have taught me so much . KZbin university at its finest

[@Sewspire]

Thank you!

[@lyricwritertoo]

I love the exact directions. No tutorials out there are this easy to follow! I’ve also added pockets to everything. Hidden ones in my disco dancing days pants! Love your thinking of needs. Retail hardly does that or too unwieldy of a tote that never really works for a person! Just a note. I’m big on recycle too. I cut apart old purses. Have even bought ones if available at thrift for $1 just for the hardware. My thrift is 2 blocks walking distance now I moved rural. So that and the hardware store in my tiny town are my go to stores. But Ive also bought packages of ponytail bands at dollar stores. The nice kind that are wrapped and in colors. You CAN use a ponytail band in place of metal D rings. Just depends on weight of fabric. I will also zig zag them into figure 8s for button loop closures. Cut in half for jacket closures. Considering $1 for something like 20 and many colors a great fall back item when you cannot get to a store. Another point. Hardware stores have always been my supply store. I only have every used house paint even for painting on fabric. I buy black and white and primaries.

[@54gravi]

POCKETS! YAY! Ditto what Pam said below! Amazing and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this Bag! Thanks Andrea ;-)

[@lgrundy6139]

I might make one for my many planner supplies

[@suzanlancaster4914]

I can't wait to make this bag! I love it, so many uses and the feet had a professional look to it! Love everything about it!!

[@tinageorge8759]

Fabulous bag Andrea, love the fabric and the hidden stitches!!! 💚

[@amberlanaesmith4415]

You're awesome Andrea! Your tutorials always amaze me.

[@gracebrtkrz5308]

Liked the bag very much, esp the nice thick strap!

[@shahnaazbootwala1480]

Great tutorial and lovely fabric.Love all the stuff that you teach.

[@fayarellano3089]

Great tutorial. I love the hidden pocket idea and the fabrics. Thank you

[@gaurigirme1000]

Just awesome tote with beautifull fabric Thanks for sharing mam

[@cherylmurray9868]

Great bag for a weekend getaway!! Love it!!

[@lgrundy6139]

Love this!! Can’t wait to make it. How do you guys put together such beautiful fabric trios!!!

[@LizDavis2009]

BEAUTIFUL fabric!!

[@pamketron]

Awesome bag Andrea! The fabric is gorgeous. Like the look of the hidden pockets with no outside stitching. This is one versatile bag that has so many uses due to it’s size. Love the look of this fabric. Thanks for another great bag! Hugs🤗🤗🤗 XO - Pam 😊

[@breonlauber6969]

I love watching your videos! I always learn so much and you explain everything beautifully!!

[@karenw6525]

So cool! Love your workspace too! ☺️

[@ruthduren4681]

Thank you, It's a very cute and easy bag to make. Great for gift giving too.

[@lynette7848]

Great tutorial once again! Thanks for sharing, love the fabrics! Definitely going to make one this weekend! 🤗🌹

[@joannepierce941]

What a great size bag and love the little feet on the bottom, beautiful fabric thankyou so much Andrea for another great video. From Jo in the UK 😊

[@joannecolajo]

Wow, this is everything. Love love love. Thats my next project.

[@cwolfquilter]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I am new to your channel and I love how concise and clear you are with directions!

[@BeeJee4U]

Amazing 👍👍👍👍

[@ameliaapetersen2198]

You have awesome ideas

[@lynetterene]

I am very excited to make this. Thank you so much

[@tlolovestats]

I really enjoy your tutorials.

[@arodriguez819]

It’s beautiful!

[@mariacarvalho3139]

I loved your works❤️kisses from chicago ❤️

[@ginocanzonetta9527]

I'll try this .. looks wonderful.

[@tamikiabrodeur965]

I love it another great bag tyfs

[@TheJudeJane]

Just discovered your channel and subscribed. You are fabulous, dahling! Love your teaching style. 😊 ❤️

[@Sewspire]

Yay! So glad you have arrived!

[@swapnajundu170]

Thank you sharing the wonderful videos of sewing... And top that u give notez on measurements... I tried one of ur lunch bag that has come out very well... My son loved it... Beautiful finishing... Thank you

[@Sewspire]

Glad you like it! 👍 Andrea

[@jojobrien9776]

Love it .. I start to make some bags your a good teacher thank you

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Jojo! That means a lot to me.

[@fauziah6119]

I love it

[@arlenemurphy804]

So cute

[@lyricwritertoo]

Another note. Ive also used belts for a strap as they can buckle at different lengths, you can add holes to be able to make shorter like a clutch. I also use the pony tail band in this case leaving it loose to slide up the loose end of belt. Can sew in place too.

[@vallimayilv8980]

Nice idea of hiding the stitches on the outer packets.....,,😍😍😘😘🤩🤩

[@sylviabrown6127]

Awesome

[@paulasydney]

Your bag is beautiful Andrea. We're so lucky to have you here :) thank you! Another thing on my list of must haves :) Ps. Is it just me or are your videos much darker now? Don't want to complain... just something I noticed.

[@Sewspire]

I think the sun was weird in that one. How did the lighting look to you in the Patreon video? I moved my table and readjusted the lights above.

[@paulasydney]

It looked better in the cube video. Must be The sun. :)

[@inojosa2]

Thanks ❤❤

[@lindamattson6281]

Thank you for another great video. I love the pillow that is in the background. Did you make it and if so do you have a pattern for it? Loved the bag. See you next time.

[@Sewspire]

Thank you Linda! I bought the pillow at Home Goods :)

[@carolrichards1441]

Just found your channel. Very intriguing. Can I use a one inch D ring instead since we do not have any bigger size here? Then would I need to make the straps 4 inches wide to fold so they end up being one inch wide?

[@johannemorel6140]

I made lots off this bag but different size

[@dalerobingoodman5854]

Fabulous! Can't wait to try this! I've not found bag feet. Anyoneanks! have a link or a suggestion for a source? Th

[@dzubik1]

Love this bag!!! The fabric is GORGEOUS too! Like others, I love the pocket installation …GENIUS! Great job recycling old hardware! Always looking at purses and totes at thrift stores but I never thought about belts! 😜

[@Sewspire]

You can find those at hobbylobby.com

[@dalerobingoodman5854]

@@Sewspire Cannot find, any suggestion of what they are called. Tried many searches, no luck. Thx!

[@Sewspire]

www.hobbylobby.com/Fabric-Sewing/Sewing-Quilting-Notions/Fasteners/Nickel-Press-Lock-Buckle/p/80787177

[@margaretcarter4965]

I love this bag but I did make some modifications. I made it about 2 inches smaller, height and width. I made the strap 1/2 inch narrower. I made the outside pockets doubles and zippered one side. I left off the feet and d rings. I put a pen pocket on the inside. It is a pocket with individual slots for pens. I sewed the ends of the zipper so the whole top is closed. I stitched all around the bag above the zipper closure. It kept sinking down. I wish I had made the top edge of the inside long pocket stiff. It is for my iPad and squishes down. I may retro fit that. I took this bag on a 3 week vacation and loved it!!! I even made a small change purse to match.

[@Sewspire]

Wow! That sounds amazing! So glad you had a nice trip and a beautiful bag to accompany you!

[@iraizdiaz2579]

Thank you for this wonderful video!! I have a couple of questions. Can this be done with a regular zipper? What do I do if I don't want the zipper casing to be larger than the bag itself? Do I cut the pieces the same size as the interior panels?

[@Sewspire]

Hello! You can use a shorter zipper and cut the panels to fit your zipper perfectly.

[@iraizdiaz2579]

@@Sewspire Thank you 😊😊

[@lindabrown2868]

If you wanted to make the strap into a slider what measurements would you use

[@Sewspire]

6" wide by 40" + long

[@lindabrown2868]

Thank you for your quick response and help

[@MultiNoob57]

Hi Andrea - Just made this bag - it is beautiful! This is the second bag I've made under your instructions, which are wonderful!. One step that was missed, I realize now, is that, while you had folded the raw edges of the zipper casing off camera, I missed this step because you didn't mention it (I only noticed it after the bag was finished and I backed up the video). Now I have raw edges hanging out on either side of the bag where the zipper casing attaches ( a rookie mistake I know but well ... I am a rookie!). Anyway, thought this might be helpful for others making this bag. I would welcome any suggestions on how to prevent this from fraying and/or neaten it up a bit. Thank you!!

[@Sewspire]

Thank you for sharing Julia! I suggest using binding to encase your edges. You can make your own binding or buy it in solid colors pre-made.

[@MultiNoob57]

@@Sewspire Of course! I was considering pulling out all the stitches, including the lining from the outer bag. Such a simple solution - thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond. I so appreciate it!

[@beckyezra1]

love your videos! is it ok to do 1\4" in smaller stitches? or it should b 3/8" seam?

[@Sewspire]

Yes, the 1/4" will work well too!

[@karendsupin1744]

This might be a dumb question, but is there a particular size of bag feet you used?

[@Sewspire]

Hmmm, not sure of the size Karen as I had them in my stash. Maybe a 1/4 ".

[@lynetterene]

I'm only 6:30 minutes into video, but have two fast questions: Did u actually fuse the Pellon to the handle? Also, did you stitch the 2nd set of stitches next to the first set or on top of. Thanks so much..... i'm very excited about this

[@Sewspire]

Hello! I do fuse the Pellon to the fabric and then stitch it in place as well. I put the second row of stitches next to the first; but, not on top of it. XO, Andrea

[@lynetterene]

@@Sewspire ok....thank you so much

[@sewingroom8625]

U r amazing, love the fall color prints, hope I win, than u.

[@annchuckkluga6376]

What kind of fabric are you using?

[@Sewspire]

Quilt weight cotton fabric from Stitched Chic on Etsy.

[@kirandutta1458]

Andrea, this is 4 yr old video. I intent to make this bag. If you come to 25.35 of the video, you inserted the runner and tucked the zipper. Have you forgotten to add a zipper tab? Wouldn't the runner come out while opening right till the end of the zipper? Have a nice day.

[@Sewspire]

Great question! That metal zipper has the stoppers on the end. If you are using zipper by the yard you will need to add a fabric stopper.

[@johnykosdd]

Great ~ thsnkd

[@meythimsaechao6818]

it's perfect bag because I'm looking for a bag to make for baby showers give it away.