Free Tutorial: Adding a Zippered Mesh Pocket to the Sew Sweetness Ansel Camera Bag sewing pattern
Bag Making Techniques, Tutorials

Tutorial: Adding a Zipper Mesh Pocket to your Ansel Camera Bag

Free Tutorial: Adding a Zippered Mesh Pocket to the Sew Sweetness Ansel Camera Bag sewing pattern

If you’ve picked up my Ansel Camera Bag sewing pattern, I’ve put together a free tutorial in case you’d like to add a handy zippered mesh pocket to the lining side of your lid. This is really quick and easy to do, and great for storing small items like sd cards, lens cap, camera manual, etc.

Before getting started, please cut all your fabric pieces and fuse/baste interfacing to the fabric as directed in the pattern (Steps 1 and 2 in your pattern).

Supplies needed

One piece of mesh:

  • Small bag – 8-3/4″ x 5-1/4″
  • Medium bag – 12-1/4″ x 5-1/4″
  • Large bag – 14-3/4″ x 5-1/4″

One regular zipper:

  • Small bag – 9″ (trim to 8″)
  • Medium bag – 12″ (trim to 11-1/2″)
  • Large bag – 14″ (trim to 14″)
  • NOTE: when trimming, the zipper should be closed and you should cut from the end opposite the zipper head. When measuring, you will include zipper tape [i.e. rather, you will not start measure from the zipper teeth]).

Two strips of lining fabric:

  • Small bag – 8-3/4″ x 2-1/4″
  • Medium bag – 12-1/4″ x 2-1/4″
  • Large Bag – 14-3/4″ x 2-1/4″

Two zipper tabs:

  • 4″ x 2-1/4″ (all size bags)

 

My pictures will show process photos of the medium bag, although steps will be the same no matter which size bag you are sewing for. Make sure to backstitch all of your stitching at the start/end.

3Step 1.
Finger press one strip of lining fabric in half, wrong sides together. Pin the raw edges of the strip to the top long edge of the mesh. Sew along the pinned edge using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Helpful Hint: The mesh can be a small bit stretchy. Don’t worry too much about that! We can do some adjustments later on if needed.

4Step 2.
Flip the pressed edge of the strip over to the other side. Make sure it is even with the finished edge on the other side. Pin in place.

5Step 3.
Sew the edge that you just flipped over, using a 1/8″ seam allowance.

6Step 4.
Press the Zipper Tab in half, wrong sides together, so that both short ends meet. Unfold, then press each short end toward the center crease, then refold along the original pressing. This method is similar to making double-fold bias tape or bag straps. Repeat for the remaining Zipper Tab.

7Step 5.
Slide one end of the zipper into the Zipper Tab until it hits the crease. Insert the other end of the zipper into the remaining Zipper Tab. Stitch on top of each zipper tab, 1/8″ away from the edge closest to the zipper tape.

8Step 6. Trim the Zipper Tabs so that they are even with the zipper tape.

9Step 7.
Place the fabric strip attached to the mesh, directly on top of the right side of the zipper. The zipper should be centered and the fabric strip should be about 1/4″ higher than the bottom edge of the zipper. Pin in place, then sew on top of the fabric strip, 1/8″ from the top edge of the strip.

10Step 8.
Now take out the remaining fabric strip. Finger press it in half, long wrong sides together. Place the strip on the WRONG side of the zipper. The raw edges of the fabric strip should be aligned with the top of the zipper. Pin in place, then stitch the pinned edge using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

11Step 9.
Flip the fabric strip to the right side of the zipper, just like you did in Step 2. Make sure the pressed edge is even with the finished edge on the other side. Topstitch the edge of the fabric that is attached to the zipper using a 1/8″ seam allowance.

12Step 10.
Pull out the Lining Lid Top that you cut out per your pattern instructions (the fabric should already be fused to interfacing). With the right side of the zipper facing you, place the mesh pocket directly on top of the Lining Lid Top. The side and bottom edges of both should be aligned. Pin the sides and bottom.

13

Step 11.
Machine baste the side and bottom edges together using a 1/8″ seam allowance. Also sew the top edge of the fabric strip attached to the zipper using a 1/8″ seam allowance.

 

And you’re finished! Proceed with the rest of the pattern.

Free tutorial on how to add a zippered mesh pocket to the Sew Sweetness Ansel Camera Bag sewing pattern

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial! And if you still need to pick up a copy of the Ansel Camera Bag sewing pattern, you can find it right here!

 

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5 thoughts on “Tutorial: Adding a Zipper Mesh Pocket to your Ansel Camera Bag

  1. Cheryl says:

    I have made 9 of your bags so far. Your instructions are really well done and the pictures/illustrations are awesome. You are a wonderful teacher as well as designer!!! Your hard work, and the time and effort you put into all projects is commendable and admirable. I have loved watching you grow and develop. You are a wonderful role model for all sewists young and old.

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