Supplies:

-Miss Maggie’s Handbag a free pattern by Emmaline Bags

-15” or longer all purpose zipper

- (4) pieces of lining fabric 2” wide x 12” long

- (4) pieces of shapeflex 101 cut to 2” x 12”

- an Emmaline Bags zipper end (or make a zipper tab out of scrap fabric)

Let's Get Started!

Take your fabric strips and fuse the interfacing according to manufacturer’s directions.

Press each 2” end of your fabric under ¼” towards the wrong side.

Prep your zipper:

We will want to make sure that the edges of our zipper gets encased in the zipper panels before we sew them. At the top of your zipper (the end closest to the end when the zipper is closed, flip the top of your zipper tape at a 90 degree angle and pin.

We are going to add a couple of stitches to hold it in place at this angle. (If you prefer, you may also glue them into this position). Stitch about ⅛” away from the edge of your zipper tape. Be careful not to sew over your pin!

Repeat for the other side of your zipper.

It's ok if your stitching isn't great, it'll all be hidden inside your zipper panel.

Sewing your zipper panel:

Now place one of the 2” x 12”  pieces of your lining panel on your table RIGHT side up. Take your zipper and place this on top WRONG side facing you so that the right side of your fabric and the right side of your zipper are together. You want the top of your zipper closest to the pull aligned with your short edge and the top edge of your zipper aligned with the top of your fabric. Pin, clip, or glue in place.

Unzip your zipper all the way, this will keep it out of our way as we sew.

Baste your zipper in place using a ⅛” seam allowance.

Now place this on your table right side up and take another of your lining panel and place this on top WRONG side up, so that it is right side together with the half that you sewed.

Pin or clip in place and sew using a ¼” seam allowance.

Now, press both sides away from your zipper, so that they are wrong sides together.

Cut off the metal stop at the top of this side so that you don't accidentally stitch into it later.

Pin or clip around the bottom and side edges.

Top stitch along the edge closest to the zipper and the short edges. Baste the bottom raw edges together.

Repeat to attach the other side of your zipper panel. It should now look like this:

At this point, if you are adding a tab to the end of your zipper this would be the time to do so. Otherwise you can add a zip end once your bag is completed.

Attach to lining panels:

We are going to add our zipper panel to our lining BEFORE we stitch the facing to the 16”x 10.5” pieces of our lining.

Find the center of your lining panel and the completed zipper panel. Mark the center on both pieces.

Place the 16” x 10.5” lining panel on your table right side up. Take your zipper panel and place this on top so that the zipper is facing UP and the bottom of the panel is against the fabric. Align the top edges and match center markings.

Pin or clip in place and baste these together. Now add your lining facing according to the pattern directions.

Repeat to the attach the other side of your zipper panel.

Finish your bag according to the pattern directions and now you have a Miss Maggie with a zippered closure!

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Photos and content provided and written for Emmaline Bags by Cyndi Farfsing, from The Nosy Pepper. Cyndi's blog is chock is full of more bag photos and make making tips. Check out her bag series "It's in the Bag! Better Bag Making Series," to learn a ton of new bag making skills.

Share your projects made from Emmaline patterns and/or with Emmaline hardware in our facebook group Emmaline Sewing Patterns Group, or on instagram with the hashtags #emmalinehardware, #emmalinepatterns, #emmalinebags, or tag us @emmalinebags.

Are you entered in the "On the Road" 2018 Road to California Bag Challenge? If you are, and you want a few tips on some bag and wallet closures, I've got a little roundup post here for you so you can see a few of the many options available to close up and finish off your amazing bag or wallet entry to this contest. If you haven't heard of this challenge, there are more details about how you can enter at the bottom of this post. Also at the bottom of this post, a chance to win 1 of 2 $40.00 Gift Cards to our shop at emmalinebags.com.

Whether you are making a bag for yourself or a smashing entry to the challenge, you will need to decide what kind of closure to have on your finished project. The options to you are many, and you might be deciding to have your project closed with a zipper, or closed with bag hardware. I'm going to give you a few choices to consider.

Zipper Opening:

Although I think bag hardware is "the cat's pyjamas", sometimes a zipper is all you really need to close up your favourite bag. But what if the pattern you are using doesn't come with zipper closure instructions? No problem, I give you a couple of tips.

You can add a zipper to the top edge of the bag in the seam that connects the lining to the exterior, or you can have it recessed down inside the bag. I like the recessed version because it's more of a professional finish. I've got a tutorial for you that will help you add a zipper inside your bag. It will help you make new lining pieces and insert the zipper gusset into them. So my tip here is to plan this BEFORE you start so you don't have to recut your lining pieces. Go here for the tutorial. 


One thing to keep in mind is the size of bag zipper you are using, and whether it's got nylon teeth or metal teeth. The size is actually the width of the coil or teeth. #4.5 or #5 coil zippers are great for bag making because they are a bit larger and more durable that a small dress zipper, which is a #3. Metal teeth are gorgeous, but you can sew over nylon teeth, so that is something to consider as well.

Magnetic Snap Closures:

Whether you are new to bag making or using bag hardware, or whether you are a seasoned pro, sometimes a simple magnetic snap is exactly what you want to close up your bag. They are quick and easy to install, they are affordable, and they really make your fabric the star of the bag. I've got an easy tutorial to share with you and it will get straight to the point and tell you exactly how to install one. But first a few tips:

• Don't get your iron on your magnet or you will demagnetize it. 
• Bigger isn't always better, the thicker magnetic snaps are actually not as strong as the slim versions as there is a larger void inside. The slim style has the magnet closer to the surface. 
• Always cover the back side of your magnetic snap with interfacing or fabric so that the prongs don't wear through your lining. 
• Hidden or "Sew In" magnetic snaps are also available if you want them hidden.
• Most importantly, the magnetic snap is attached BEFORE your lining and exterior are assembled. 

You can look at our selection of magnetic snaps HERE, and get the INSTALLATION TUTORIAL HERE. 

Bag Locks:

The term "Bag Lock" really covers a lot of different hardware closure solutions. You can use "Turn Locks" which close by twisting the locking mechanism, or "Flip Locks" that flip down to close. "Bar Locks" are shaped like a bar and click together or sometimes have a flip lock action. Then there is the section that are referred to as "Press Locks, Thumb Catch, or Tongue Lock", and these are all the same kind of lock where the tongue part slides into the catch.

Why do we want any of these? Simply put, they are just gorgeous and add a professional look to your bag. We just need them in our lives. If you would like to add a bag lock, you can peruse my collection HERE, and see the many styles that are available.

More bag clasp tutorials CLICK HERE!

If you see one you like, you can hop to our Hardware Installation page and find the tutorial needed to install the lock of your choosing. If you click on the listing for each lock, you will get some installation links there too. Whether you are shopping at our website, or at another, here are some helpful tips for hardware installation:

• Always use glue to attach your bag lock pieces to your fabric. Use a clear drying fast tack glue that works with metal and fabric like E6000 or Beacon 3-in-1. 
• Always test for fit before glueing! 
• Try your screws and if they seem a bit loose, use a small smear of glue on the screw or a smudge of "Loctite" or another thread locking liquid. This will ensure your screws don't fall out! Never drop the Loctite in the hole, it will spill onto your fabric, instead smear it on the screw with a toothpick. 
• Cover the back side of any prongs or washers with interfacing or fabric so that the prongs don't wear through your lining. 
• Always cut your holes small to start and increase in size as needed. 
• There should be no thread or fabric over or in the screw holes when attaching. 

The Press Lock Family!

I hope this helps you choose the right bag closure for your entry in the challenge. Remember, you aren't limited to the one option that comes in a pattern that you purchase, or if you are designing your own, there are a large array of possibilities.

Just for reading my post, and learning more about the "On the Road" challenge, I am offering TWO prizes of a $40.00 Gift Card to be used on anything you would like at emmalinebags.com. Comment below telling me what your favourite bag clasp is, or what you would like to try next and I'll draw randomly from the comments on August 15, 2017 to pick 2 winners. Please don't be anonymous or I won't know who you are. Please leave your name on your comment!

Thanks for reading!

Now a few details about the challenge that is sponsored by my friend Annie:

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The On the Road Challenge is sponsored by Road to California and Soft and Stable®. The challenge opened June 15, 2017. You can get official rules, regulations, and conditions along with the entry form wonline at Road to California and ByAnnie.com’s websites or GO HERE.


While there is no limit to the number of entries a person may submit, there is a fee per entry: $10 for an online entry and $15 if the entry is mailed in. All entry packets must be received by October 1, 2017. Winning entries and additional entries selected for display will be notified by December 1, 2017.

Pattern + Hardware + Fabric= Handmade Couture

FREE Pattern:

Hardware:

Fabric:

You can choose to do this in whatever fabric you are comfortable working with! A fun cotton print, canvas or even denim!  That's the benefit of creating your own, it's what YOU want it to be. Handmade can be couture too!

Grab the bottom of your lock and the washer that comes with it. Using the washer mark the placement for your lock.