A Free DIY from Stitch Lab
The folks at Stitch Lab Blog show us how to sew a recessed zipper into a basic tote bag, turning it into a fantastic shopping bag or weekly errand tote. We usually add a zippered closure to the top of a bag to keep belongings secure inside, going without the risk of having everything tumble out if the bag tips over. A zippered main/top closure is a good idea when you have a bag without enough body and sturdiness to hold itself straight and tall.
![SOPHISTICATED Theme - #5 Set 6, 8, 9, 10" (15.2/20.3/22.9/25.4cm) - Set of 5. Zipperloft - Canadian Supplier.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95a63b_a9c645cb0c154368a80429b280ce4345~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_99,h_149,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/95a63b_a9c645cb0c154368a80429b280ce4345~mv2.jpg)
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Watch Izzy Meimsaab‘s free video tutorial:
More ways to use zippers for your bags:
![Ingrid Convertible Canisters Sewing Pattern](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95a63b_897da27e96e34328860a5f19f303449b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_103,h_130,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/95a63b_897da27e96e34328860a5f19f303449b~mv2.jpg)
Zippered Handles
![How to Shorten a Metal Zipper for Your Bag and The Hump Jumper](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95a63b_61711afebd5e457c9cc64a96afcd36ab~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_125,h_83,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/95a63b_61711afebd5e457c9cc64a96afcd36ab~mv2.jpg)
How to Shorten a Metal Zipper
![How to Add a Zippered Lining to a Bag](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95a63b_d43000203b0443a586d16c1aed6b899c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_86,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/95a63b_d43000203b0443a586d16c1aed6b899c~mv2.jpg)
How to Add a Zippered Lining to a Bag
![Recessed Zipper Tote Tutorial by Sarah of My Spare Time](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95a63b_5a87307a9e9a4953a72bba86a804d487~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_85,h_60,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/95a63b_5a87307a9e9a4953a72bba86a804d487~mv2.jpg)
Recessed Zipper Tote Tutorial
![How to Add a Zipper to A Finished Tote Bag](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95a63b_a248213e3231456f932d1bea9626c36e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_115,h_77,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/95a63b_a248213e3231456f932d1bea9626c36e~mv2.jpg)
How to Add a Zipper to A Finished Tote Bag
![How to Shorten a Zipper](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/95a63b_e238eb74a4b646beb20cd0896cf45a02~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_104,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/95a63b_e238eb74a4b646beb20cd0896cf45a02~mv2.jpg)
How to Shorten a Zipper
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