Zipper Snap Tote

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Closeup of front showing snaps and zipper trim

Nancy Robertson

Front of tote

Nancy Robertson

Interior

Nancy Robertson

Bottom

Nancy Robertson

Closeup of front showing snaps and zipper trim

Photo: Nancy Robertson

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If you look at the photo carefully, you'll see the eye catching metal accents on this totebag are ordinary sewing notions -- giant silver snaps and a metal jacket zipper from the local fabric store. Exposed zippers and oversized snaps are in style right now, but I really used them because they reflect my love of sewing.

My totebag is made of prequilted black polyester which was left over from a jacket I sewed for myself. The bag's decorative front band, top edge binding, shoulder straps, bottom, and piping are made of genuine Ultrasuede and Ultraleather remnants, bought online at bargain prices. The total cost of fabric and notions for this project was under $20.

I drafted the pattern for this totebag myself, and I revised it several times until all the details fell into place. Notice how the shoulder straps and decorative front band intersect to form the letter "A." The narrow shoulder straps slant in at an angle that mirrors the slope of the bag's outer edge. The decorative front band is placed according to the 3/8 rule in design -- the band lies 3/8 of the way down from the bag's top edge. The finished size of this midsized, trapazoid shaped tote is approximately 15.5" x 11" x 3".

To sew the bag I cut the prequilted fabric and fused it to two layers of Decor Bond interfacing for body and stability. Then I stitched the Ultrasuede shoulder straps to the front and back. Next I assembled the decorative front band by machine stitching four size 30 (1.25") sew-in snaps to the Ultrasuede band and then stitching a metal zipper tape and Ultraleather strip to the top and bottom edges. Next I stitched the decorative band to the bag's front, attached piping to each side, and stitched the front and back together.

I assembled the bottom by stitching together two layers of Peltex interfacing and the Ultraleather fabric. Then I stitched the bottom to the body of the bag. The lining was then assembeled, inserted, machine stitched to the body of the bag. The final step was binding the bag's top edge with Ultrasuede and topstitching.

I think my bag proves that: 1,  handmade doesn't have to look homemade; and 2, you don't have to break the bank. If you shop for materials carefully and plan your projects using simple rules of design, you can create budget friendly accessories that are as sophisticated and stylish as anything you could find in a store for ten times the price.

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Comments (2)

1Suprise writes: I love it or Idea very creator thank you for sharing with us
thank you..
Posted: 12:55 am on January 14th

JDpenelope writes: Nancy -- You make it sound so easy -- Maybe for YOU. All of these fashion-forward touches -- and it's your design and rendering! Truly an amazing accomplishment. If you don't win this contest, I gotta see who on earth does!
Posted: 6:49 am on May 18th

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