Citrus House Clear Vinyl Pouch Project Bags with Fusible Fleece
by Designer Audrey Pettit
Finished Size: 13″ x 10″
Supplies:
Therm O Web Heatn’Bond Fusible Fleece – High Loft
Paintbrush Studio Fabrics: Citrus House Flat Fat Stack
Clear Vinyl
Zippers by Annie: 4.5 White Zipper Tape, Spring Zipper Pulls 4.5
Oliso Mini Project Iron
Wonder Clips, Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, Quilting Ruler, Thread
Join me today as I share how to create these adorable vinyl-fronted zipper project bags using Therm O Web Fusible Fleece and fun citrus fabric from our friends at PBS Fabrics.
Cut the Inside Pocket Fabric
Step 1: Cut fabric for the inside pocket of the fabric bag. You will need a 13×10 piece of both your lining fabric and fusible fleece.
Fuse the Fleece
Step 2: Place the fusible fleece onto your ironing board so that the bumpy, glue side is up. Lay your lining fabric onto the fleece, right side up. Fuse the fabric to the fleece following the instructions on the packaging.
Cut the Additional Fabrics
Step 3: Cut the rest of the fabric pieces for the bag. You will need:
15″ x 12″ piece of backing fabric
13.5″ x 2″ piece for the top of the zipper
13.5″ x 4″ piece for the bottom of the zipper
14″ zipper
For the zipper top, fold the 13.5″ x 2″ strip of fabric in half (wrong sides facing), and press.
For the zipper bottom, fold the 13.5″ x 4″ strip of fabric in half (wrong sides facing, and press. Then open the fabric back up, and fold each raw edge up to that center press line, and iron. Fold the strip in half.
Add the Zipper
Step 4: Place the top piece of zipper fabric along the top edge of the zipper, so that the folded edge of the fabric is against the zipper and the raw edge is facing toward the top. Topstitch along the edge of the fabric to secure it to the zipper. You may need to use a zipper foot for this step. Then place the bottom piece of the zipper fabric along the bottom edge of the zipper, so that the folded center line is against the zipper and the folded up edges are pointing toward the bottom. Topstitch along the fabric to secure it to the zipper.
Cut the Vinyl
Step 5: Cut a 13.5 x 9 piece of clear vinyl. Place the top edge of the vinyl between the folded edges of the bottom zipper fabric piece, being sure to wedge the vinyl up against the zipper as far as it will go. Topstitch along the bottom edge of the fabric to secure the vinyl in place.
Line Up the Fabrics
Step 6: Place the vinyl front onto the lining, lining up the top of the zipper with the top of the lining. Be sure to move the zipper pull to the center of the project bag, and then trim off any excess zipper from the sides. Use a ruler and rotary cutter to even up the sides and bottom, as necessary.
Press in Place
Step 7: Remove the vinyl front temporarily. Place the lining fabric onto the backing fabric, with the wrong sides facing. Use a ruler to evenly center the lining on the backing fabric. Take it to your ironing board. Fold the raw edges of the backing fabric over so that it lines up with the edge of the lining fabric, and press in place.
Step 8: Place the vinyl front back onto the lining fabric, making sure that the top of the zipper lines up with the top of the lining. Fold the backing fabric over to the front of the bag. Clip the fabric in place with pins or wonder clips. At the corners, open the folded fabric back up, and fold the corner down into a triangle. Then fold the edges back up and over. This will give your nice, mitered corners.
Topstitch
Step 9: Topstitch all the way around the edge of the folded backing fabric. I like to start at the top edge of the zipper so that the zipper doesn’t run the risk of slipping out of place.
Step 10: Create a bias tape strip of coordinating fabric in any length that you choose. You can use a bias tape maker tool to help you with this task. Or, simply cut a 1″ strip of fabric, fold it in half, and press. Then open it back up and fold each raw edge into the center press line and press in place. Then fold the strip in half again and press. Stitch down the center of the bias tape. Thread the tape through the zipper pull, and tie a knot at the top and at the ends to secure.
These bags are great for needlework or quilting supplies, art or drawing supplies, crafting supplies, paperwork, and so much more.
