Zippered Toiletry Bag

A lined bag with a top zipper and a rectangular box shape.

All seam allowances are ¹⁄₂", unless otherwise indicated.

Fabric Pieces

Outer Fabric

Main Body: 12" x 13"

Accent Fabric

Zipper Panels: 12" x 2 ¹⁄₂"
Zipper Tabs / Handle: 12" x 3"

Lining Fabric

Bag Liner: 12" x 16"

Other Materials

Zipper Tape with Slider: 14"
Paracord Zipper Pull: 10"

Machine Settings

2.5mm seam stitches
3mm topstitches
Thread tension
- Cordura straps: 6 +4 clicks

Sewing Instructions

Attach Zipper Panels to the Main Body

Place a zipper panel on the main body panel, right sides together. Align the panels along a 12" edge.
Sew the two panels together along a 12" edge.
Press the seam open with the raw edges folded toward the main body.
Topstitch on the main body, ¹⁄₄" from the seam.
Repeat for the other zipper panel.

Attach the Outer and Liner to the Zipper

Place the closed zipper tape (without a slider) on the outer panel, right sides together. Align the zipper with a 12" edge.
Place the liner on top of the zipper, wrong side up. Align the liner with the outer panel.
Using a zipper foot, sew the three layers together.

Start and stop the stitch ¹⁄₂" from each edge. This lets you fold back the layers when stitching the ends of the tubes.
Flip the layers so that the wrong sides of the liner and outer are together and press along the seam.
Topstitch along the seam at ¹⁄₄".

Start and stop the stitch ¹⁄₂" from each edge.
Place the outer and liner on the other side of the zipper in the same order as steps 1-2 and stitch together. The two layers will form separate tubes when placed together correctly.
Separate the zipper, then press and topstitch the seam from the previous step.
Insert the zipper slider, then flip the piece inside out so that the liner and outer form separate tubes.

Prepare the Strap and Zipper Tabs

Fold the 3" x 12" accent piece in half lengthwise and press.
Open the piece, and fold the edges into the pressed center line.
Fold in half again and press to create four layers.
Topstitch along each long edge.
Cut two 2" pieces for the zipper tabs. The remaining 8" piece is for the strap.

Close the Ends of the Tubes

The liner and outer are sewn together separately.

Find the midpoint of the liner between the two sides of the zipper. Align the midpoint with the zipper and fold the tube flat.

Stitch across the open end of the tube, starting and stopping 1 ¹⁄₂" from the sides of the tube. Backstitch over the zipper for reinforcement. Fold back the outer tube and stitch as close as possible to the fold.

If you stitch all the way to the sides, then you’ll have to cut through the seam in the next step. In that case, reinforce the seam after cutting so that it holds together when you box the corners.

Fold one of the zipper tabs in half and insert it between the layers of the outer tube, centered over the zipper. The raw edges of the zipper tab should be aligned with the end of the tube.
Stitch across the open end of the tube, (optionally) starting and stopping 1 ¹⁄₂" from the sides of the tube. Backstitch over the zipper for reinforcement. Fold back the liner tube and stitch as close as possible to the fold.
Repeat steps 1-4 to close the other end of the outer and liner tubes.
Trim the ends of the zipper tape flush with the layers of fabric.

Box the Corners

Cut out 1 ¹⁄₂" squares from all eight tube corners.

Measure from the seam, not the end of the tube.
Fold a cut-out corner into a triangle and sew along the raw edge.

The strap is sewn into two of the outer corners. It should be on the same end of the bag as the zipper slider when the zipper is closed.
Sew all four corners of the outer and three corners of the liner, leaving one open for turning the bag.
Turn the bag inside out through the open corner of the lining.
Fold the raw edges of the open corner in and stitch it closed.

Add a Zipper Pull

Tie a 10" length of paracord with a two-strand Matthew Walker knot for a zipper pull.