ZIPPER PROJECT – PENCIL CASE/ZIPPER BAG DIRECTIONS
1. Create 4 rectangles of your desired size and design liking. (Note: All 4 rectangles should be the same size.)
Two of the rectangles will be the front and back of the case while the remaining 2 will be the lining pieces.
2. Lay 1 lining piece pretty side down in front of you. Next, place 1 of the outer pieces on top of the lining piece
pretty side up. The next piece you should add to the pile is the other outer piece and it should be pretty side
down. The final lining piece should be placed on top with the pretty side up. This should give you a stack of the
4 rectangles as seen in the image below.
3. Change the length of the stitch to the 5 setting (basting stitch) and sew at ½ seam allowance. DO NOT
BACKSTITCH. Trim your tails and press the seam open.
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4. Next, center your zipper on top of the stitch you just sewed. Underneath the zipper (on the seam you just
sewed), use a fabric marking pencil to indicate where the start and finish points of the zipper rest. (See images
below. The black markings represent the metal start and stops of the zipper.)
5. Next, unpin and set the zipper aside. Return to the machine and switch your stitch length to 3. You are going
to sew 2 backstitches directly on top of the stitching you previously did. Sew and BACKSTITCH from the
beginning of the seam to where you marked the metal zipper starting point. Stop there and trim your tails. DO
NOT CONTNUE your stitch all the way across the seam.
Now, flip your bag over and do the same thing to the opposite end of the seam you previously sewed. Sew and
BACKSTITCH from the beginning of the seam to where you marked the metal zipper ending point. Stop there
and trim your tails. DO NOT CONTNUE your stitch all the way across the seam.
6. Open the seam once again and press it flat.
7. Next, center the zipper on top of the seam once again. Place the pins back into the zipper to secure it.
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8. Using a zipper foot on your machine (see me to get this) begin your first stitch at the end of the zipper and
don’t forget to BACKSTITCH. Keep as close to the metal zipper stop as possible without running it over. (See
image below.)
9. Next, pivot and sew along the edge of zipper, staying close to the zipper but not on it or you’ll break your
needle. (See image below.)
10. When you get close to the start of the zipper pull the zipper down past the foot (sometimes you may need
to lift the presser foot up to do this.) Doing this will allow you to sew in a straight line because the presser foot
won’t be obstructed by the zipper.
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11. When you reach the end, pivot and stitch over the opposite edge from where you started. Once again, pivot
and sew the remaining edge of the zipper being careful to take out your pins as you go. Don’t forget to
BACKSTITCH at the end. (See both images below.)
12. Congrats! The hardest part is over!  Turn the fabric over so that you’re looking at the side without the
zipper. Carefully separate the seam that you sewed at the very beginning of this project. Seam rip out the stitch
that rests on top of the zipper. (See images below.)
13. You should see your zipper now. UNZIP THE ZIPPER. Don’t forget to do this!!! Place the pretty sides of
the front and back of the bag together and then place the pretty sides of the lining together. Pin all of the sides
together EXCEPT for the long edge of the lining. Mark a line in the center that will indicate NOT to sew across
here. – This is just like what you did when you sewed the pin cushion. (See image below.)
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14. Begin sewing to the right of the opening at ½ seam allowance. BACKSTITCH at the beginning and sew to
the edge. Pivot and sew down the long edge. Pivot and continue sewing across the bottom. Pivot again and
sew the other long edge. Pivot one last time and finish the last stitch with a BACKSTITCH on the top edge
where the opening starts. (See image below.)
15. Turn the bag right side out to see the pretty sides of both the bag AND the lining. The lining will be hanging
out the top. (Be sure you’re looking at the pretty side of the lining too.)
16. Tuck the edges of the opening in and press the lining edge. (This is similar to how you sew the
top edge of pockets closed.) Next, sew across the lining edge at 3/8 seam allowance (or you can just
sew on the edge of the fabric – whichever you prefer).
17. Push the lining into your bag. Press the bag. YOU DID IT! Congrats on sewing your first zipper!

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