Santorini Tote Recessed Zipper hack | How to make tote bag at home

Santorini Tote Recessed Zipper hack | How to make tote bag at home
I'll show you how to add a recessed zipper main closure to your Santorini tote in this video. YOU WILL need the original Sew Hungry Hippie Santorini Tote pattern to make this bag.
Find it here:
💫sewhungryhippi...
PDF add-on for recessed zipper hack: sewhungryhippi...
✅ I'm using Moonglow vinyl in Pomengranate colorway, find it here: bit.ly/3iNu3d1
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#SewHungryHippie

[@Grandytoon]

Thank you so much for explaining how easy the recessed zipper can be stitched in. I just finished making a quilted purse and followed your directions to assemble the bag properly. I'm so happy at how well it turned out.

[@SewHungryHippie]

You’re welcome! So glad it turned out well!

[@kathywright7191]

Wow! Of all the tutorials on recessed zippers - this is the BEST! Thank You!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much for that, it means a lot to me!

[@subscriptionjunkie2022]

I'm so glad I found your content. I've searched u tube for months watching tutorials & majority of the videos I've struggled! You explain the steps so clearly & I'm so thankful! Zippers no longer give me anxiety lol.. 😊❤

[@SewHungryHippie]

Oh thank you so much for this, I really want to make sure everyone is enabled to make whatever they want to. I believe in you!

[@mississippi17state9]

I'm so glad I clicked on this video! First I love Natalie's sewing style. 2nd so calming and natural! I've been struggling with the zippers but I'm going to try this method! I also love that this video is so relatable to real life and doesn't seem to be all dolled up and edited to look perfect! I love the easy to follow instructions! Oh your nails look fabulous🥰

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much for this lovely comment!! You can do it!

[@lucilledaub5991]

Love the way you put a recessed zipper in. Love your teaching skills to.

[@MultiColoredThreads]

I have been cutting the boxed corners before sewing the the side and bottom seams to eliminate the threads pulling out when I create the boxed corners. I would rather do it this way than go back and have to tack all the places I cut. Great video tutorial, Natalie.

[@juliascott7391]

Good morning from Edinburgh, Scotland 👋 I found you by accident & I am so glad I did 😁 I make bags but struggle with zips. Your tutorial was very clear, thank you 🙏

[@SewHungryHippie]

I'm so happy you found this helpful! :D

[@pamstrong8709]

I have been looking for a simple method of adding a zipper to the top of a tote bag and found your channel. I like your style very much...and your relaxed attitude. This was exactly what I have been looking for...THANK YOU so much. I will be tuning in frequently!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Awesome! Thank you, I'm so happy it was helpful for you.

[@dottiemathews6853]

LOVE THIS VIDEO! I DID MY FIRST TOTEBAG WITH THE BOXED SEAM BOTTOM AND IT TURNED OUT LOVELY! I WAS SO PROUD! I "TRUST THE PROCESS!" I DESIGN AND CREATE CANVAS TOTE BAGS. I USUALLY DON'T MAKE BOXED BOTTOM BAGS BUT THE FIRST ONE TURNED OUT SO PRETTY I WANT TO DO IT AGAIN! LOVE YOUR VIDEO!! GO ON GURL! YOU ROCK!

[@siansweet257]

"Just trust the process!" - Wise words. Great tutorial, thanks.

[@SewHungryHippie]

:D Thanks Sian!

[@lottieburns]

Best tutorial I have seen on a recessed zipper! Thank you!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much!

[@jeanninej224]

This is the video I’ve needed so badly. Thank you so much! Now I can make recessed zippers on every single bag whether or not the pattern was written that way.

[@SewHungryHippie]

That makes me sooo happy!!!! ❤ 😄😄😄😄😄

[@Torontogal777]

This method certainly looks easy to do. I will do this on my next project. Thank you for a well explained, clear tutorial.

[@SewHungryHippie]

You are welcome!

[@cindywilshire8700]

Absolutely the best and easiest way todo a recessed zipper I have seen. Kudos.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Oh thank you Cindy!

[@debbiewarrenfeltz3703]

I was having a hard time trying to get the zipper right thanks for showing it looks easy the way you did ❤

[@dorad.711]

I knew there had to be a way to make a recessed zipper and connect it to the front panels! Thank you so much for this!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Glad you found this video!

[@madelinegrudens]

This is such a great way to sew a bag!!!! You're hysterical too! Thanks for sharing your tricks, so very useful!!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thanks so much for your support!

[@darlinespring4066]

Great video. Thanks for sharing this technique!

[@shulamussnug7120]

This tutorial is great. It has guided me through this process and I am finishing up!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Wonderful!

[@csbollard2698]

Wish I had watched this before following another pattern. Thanks for all your tip

[@SewHungryHippie]

You’re welcome 😊

[@lucilledaub5991]

Love your way of a recessed zipper. Love your teaching skills.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much!

[@melodycouture8624]

I ordered your pattern and made the Santorini purse. Your videos were my guide. Love the design!

[@youngmanmary2918]

A very special and much easier way to insert a recessed zipper .I must try this

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much 😊

[@youngmanmary2918]

@@SewHungryHippie I did it and I am so happy .I can do a recessed zipper .Wow so much more fun your way !!!!

[@juliecook1550]

Have watched several videos on recessed zippers yours was so great, Thankyou. I really understood throughout.

[@SewHungryHippie]

I'm so glad!

[@l.e.g.7309]

I tried a different method and struggled saw your technique and have made 3 bags with no issues! 😊🎉🎉

[@SewHungryHippie]

Wonderful!

[@jesspeak7543]

Thank you for a very informative and helpful tutorial with a dash of your fun personality.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stephaniehouse4]

You are a very good teacher! Very good tutorial! I now understand fully!!! Thank you so much!!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Happy to hear that!

[@annefarnham718]

YAY!!! So excited to try this out very soon. Very easy to follow! Thanks for taking great care in making and publishing for us!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Yay! You've got this!

[@susancombrinck9852]

Thanks for this. It is just what I want to add to my bag.

[@suzansullivan3767]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@SewHungryHippie]

You're very welcome!

[@annabe4824]

So clear and so sensible. Thank you.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Hello Anna, Thank you so much!

[@gwentoomalatai9379]

Beautiful I love it I also like the way you sew in your zipper I will always used that way to attached zippers when I see tote bags ❤ and thanks for sharing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much Gwen! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@jayreebell-palmer550]

I think I can do this. Great tutorial. Easy to understand. Thank you so much

[@SewHungryHippie]

You can do it!

[@Ruby6855]

You make it look so easy!!!

[@kellyouellette7464]

Great tutorials and I love your spirit. Thank you

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much!

[@SublimationVacation]

Beautiful 😄love this and your tutorials are wonderful. Thank you!

[@SewHungryHippie]

You are so welcome! Thank you very much for this comment.

[@lucyw.mcmellan7274]

Very informative! Thank you.

[@grandmajane2593]

Thank you for the instructions.

[@breanarichardson4996]

Very helpful thankyou, love the singing!!!!

[@SewHungryHippie]

LOL!! Thanks for watching 😄🥰

[@debbiewittmer3571]

Thank you for an easy to follow and understand tutorial. I will definitely try this. You're so cute and entertaining!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Hey Debbie thank you 😘😄

[@TheMzTR]

Newbie here...loving it. Tks for sharing this project method with us

[@SewHungryHippie]

Welcome!

[@sewhappydesigns]

You always make your videos SEW FUN!!! 💗💗🪡🧵A little song and dance during or at the end is just the best! 😘💕

[@SewHungryHippie]

😄 thank you Cindy!

[@dianahurst6377]

Thank you! I have been wanting to add a recessed zipper to my tote.. you've answered all my questions and have a new subscriber. I am working on a tote now and I am going to add this type of zipper to it!!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@heidi678]

Great tutorial! I’m going to try it!❤ Thank you!!!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Awesome!

[@MadeByTriniLena]

Oh my, love the telephone ☎️ fabric, awesome tote

[@SewHungryHippie]

That's old Cotton & Steel fabric (phones). I love it too!

[@denisehosner3405]

I really enjoy watching you AND your tutorials Thanks🥰

[@SewHungryHippie]

Oh thank you so much Denise!

[@jillsilverstein5638]

Amazing thank you very much

[@jamesbowling6771]

Great tutorial.

[@denisechristensen5700]

Love this tutorial! Can't wait to try this method.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thanks! Hope you make the bag- I can’t wait to see.

[@IMOO1896]

Great hints, and easy to follow.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thanks Sandi!

[@Youtuber4421]

Great video, thanks for making it. I was looking for a recessed zipper tote tutorial but I would call this a flush zipper instead of recessed because the zipper fabric panels sew into the top of the bag. I was looking for one where they start inside the bag wall. Still good content though so I wanted to the end anyway!

[@SewHungryHippie]

This is a recessed zipper, but I do know what you are talking about - just a different technique.

[@sutela2060]

Gorgeous bag, love it🙏❤️

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much!

[@sharonleeirvin3320]

I loved this and now I know I can do this to thank you for the video

[@SewHungryHippie]

You are so welcome!

[@kiwijenny61]

Hey Natalie... thank you so much for being fabulous :-) Love your teaching style and chilled out approach to learning . I wish you were still in the UK tho but at least we have the tech to check in from across the pond. We are heading back into a winter freeze sadly but good excuse to stay warm with all things sewing x

[@opigendut8059]

Nice bag ❤

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you!

[@ginapereira8948]

Nice! Thank you!❤

[@SewHungryHippie]

Welcome!

[@rashaessam7935]

Thank you so helpful

[@SewHungryHippie]

So glad!

[@sylviabrown6617]

Beautiful

[@jackia8815]

Discovered your channel about a week ago. I was wondering if your kit has enough fabric to do this recessed zipper option. Love your channel, by the way.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Welcome! Thanks for watching! So happy to have you here! The Santorini Tote Kits include the fabric for the original pattern only. The recessed zipper fabrics can be anything you choose and do not have to 100% match the bag.

[@paulaarchacki8200]

Great video! Does the zipper strip width need to be the same size as the boxed corner cut? I’m making a very large tote with a depth of 8” so my boxed corner cuts are 4x4. Would I do the same size strips, 4” each? Any help is appreciated!

[@raissadingmann5823]

I love this and I cant wait to make this bag. You make it look so simple. I hate to ask but from looking at the pattern for this bag you have different sizes to cut the box corner out ranging from 2.5 - 3" however in this video you cut 2'squares....... how do you decide what size to cut it? and is there a formula to go by? I am one of those crazy people that like to follow directions, and get a bit nervous when I don't LOL Thank you so much for your wonderful KZbin channel.

[@MadeByTriniLena]

Great tips, appreciate you

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you sooo much.

[@kelleymckell]

Thanks so much for this tutorial on very doable hack! I will certainly try out. Just subbed. Have a great day!!

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thanks for watching!

[@maryjaneyacopino8253]

Thanks for the instructions! I know I can do this now! 🤩

[@SewHungryHippie]

YES you can! 😄

[@skulls6660]

Love this - now to make another Santorini tote with a recessed zipper.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Yessss!!!! :D

[@malley4747]

Love the video

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much!

[@gingerdollarhide6664]

KUDOS to you for such an awesome method of teaching how to sew a recessed zipper Natalie- you really took my self imposed fear away- YAY! Plan to began my new project shortly. Love your humor and personality - such an added Plus as we learn from you; love your style. Your advice regarding how sometimes we might make a mistake, “no worry” was spot on - generally there’s always a way to fix it even if you feel discouraged. I’m hooked and look forward to furthering my education and developing my own sense of style with a “little help from my friends” (taken from the Beatles song). Thanks for the sewing love and inspiration… Ginger

[@SewHungryHippie]

I’m so happy !

[@donnadailey5062]

I've watched many tutorials on installing a recessed zipper on bags; I love the finished look your method gives. Also, noticed in this tutorial you have 2 rivets per handle end; did you apply those with a hand held or table top press? Do you have a quick demo of how you did this? I just purchased a table top press, love it so far, but haven't used it for rivets yet. Thanks again for sharing your time and talent. Both appreciated.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Hi Donna, I only use a table press - I have zero luck with the handheld tools, they hurt my hands and are usually uneven - I know it's me! LOL I made a snap press video a few years ago, I'll find the link. I am happy to make a rivet press video, it would probably be less than 5 min long. They are so easy to use, just practice a few times on scraps. Here's my snap press vid (similar in technique) please forgive my kid's camera work kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHmmg3-OgLGKpLc If you want to come over to my Live Sessions, I'll do a rivet press demo this Friday at 11 am cst. It will be here on my channel as well - I stream them here so they can be easily found later.

[@donnadailey5062]

@@SewHungryHippie Thank you so much, will view your rivet press vid and I'm sure your children are priceless. Thanks again.

[@DiannaAtherton]

The bag is so pretty. Love the fabric. I would have to extend the straps. The process of placing a shoulder bag on shoulder for me needs to be smoother. One handed.

[@SewHungryHippie]

That's the beauty of sewing- you can do whatever you want.

[@mariebom8145]

​@SewHungryHippie would it work if I made just one strap.? Or would it make it have a weird shape? 🤔 Help!!

[@D.A.M._Things]

Thank you Natalie, I just found you & love how you show us what you do & just do it. Do you have a tutorial to add a recessed zipper to a tote/purse that is already finished?

[@SewHungryHippie]

Not yet!

[@D.A.M._Things]

Thank you for replying.

[@DanaJaneDesigns]

You are wonderful. My poor brain watched many times. This is exactly what I wanted a needed. Thank you so much. Now where do you get the rivets?

[@SewHungryHippie]

Awe thank you so much. The rivets I purchased from minkus margo on Etsy. These are 12mm head and 8mm post size.

[@IMOO1896]

I wonder if you could just stitch the panel to the top of the zipper just by laying on top, then make a second stitch line to secure the zip tape edge. This would be much less bulk without flipping. I haven’t tried a zip this way, but since you’re using a clean fabric edge, it makes sense to me.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Feel free to try your way!

[@soapymom2]

Just what I needed to see! What foam do you use in your construction?

[@SewHungryHippie]

By Annie's Soft & Stable

[@cindywilshire8700]

Best best best video

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you so much Cindy!

[@alicejette5635]

Hi,love the fabric do you carry fabric,I just found you on u tube

[@SewHungryHippie]

Yes we have fabric at sewhungryhippie.com 😄

[@cheryllynch3664]

Hi Natalie, love your projects. Thank you for sharing. Can you please tell me what mm zipper is best for purses and totes? Thank you. Cheryl

[@SewHungryHippie]

HI Cheryl, I use #5 size most often for bag making, which is approx 5mm across the width. A #4.5 is 4.5mm and a #3 is 3mm, and so on a so forth. It's really a personal preference thing, you are never "wrong" in choosing a zipper that works for you. :D

[@cheryllynch3664]

@@SewHungryHippie thank you so much! Have an amazing rest of your day!

[@kalmyluv]

Hey. Im making the purse size. Im hoping to do a recessed zipper, but im a new bag maker. I want the handles to be sewn in. At what point do I add them

[@eddieengelbrecht7550]

BEAUTIFUL BAG FROM A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

[@SewHungryHippie]

You are so sweet, thank you!

[@JournalAsYouWishStacyCarpenter]

Looks amazing as always 🤩 which Juki machine are you using?

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thanks so much. I'm using the Juki TL2000 in this video.

[@mariebom8145]

What if I didn't add recess before I sewed together? ??? How do I put zipper onto top? I did everything backwards 😢 HELP

[@SewHungryHippie]

Unpick and start from the last step you did correctly.

[@erinamengual5885]

Can you use this recessed zipper method for any bag or is it specific to this bag?

[@SewHungryHippie]

You could adapt this to any bag most likely, measurements change and the look will change but I would think it would work on most.

[@stella-lj4lc]

How do I go to the sewing vido

[@ИринаКоротина-б1у]

Спасибо большое

[@harrietsimons6232]

How do you determine how wide to make the insert?

[@SewHungryHippie]

This tutorial has a PDF download with all measurements, and it is in tandem with my pattern. Everything is on sewhungryhippie.com

[@denisehosner3405]

I love you! You are a nut!🥰

[@mariebom8145]

Or side strap (wide

[@ndc508]

I clicked on the link to subscribe to the email, but didn't get an email so I can get the free templates.

[@SewHungryHippie]

Sorry I missed this, can you please email us help@sewhungryhippie so Michelle can send you this PDF ? Thanks! Tell her I said it's ok.

[@iflowmagazine]

❤️

[@mariacorrales6745]

Las letras no dejan ver

[@SewHungryHippie]

Hola Maria, si le das a la “x” al lado del anucio, vas a poder cerrarlo.

[@мабильныйтераитрок]

👏👍

[@malekasajjad4979]

❤❤❤❤😂

[@SewHungryHippie]

Thank you!