so you want to make a girlscantell zippy case...

sweet.
whenever i have a new design in the shop, i always want to make more zippies. i have no idea why.

okay, cut four pieces of fabric to the same size and shape (i'm not a very precise cutter, obviously). two will be the inside, two will be the outside. one of the edges should be the same length (give or take) as your zipper. you also need a piece of something - ribbon, trim, etc - something strong enough and long enough to be a little wrist strappy.

put the zipper along the edge of the lining fabric, face up. align the edge of the outside fabric on top of the zipper and lining, face down.

sew along this edge (using a zipper foot on your machine makes this much easier).

now take the zipper you've just sewn into the first side of the case. arrange it between the remaining two pieces of fabric in the same way you arranged the first one - lining face up, zipper face up, outer fabric face down. now you have all four pieces of fabric sewn to the zipper.

unzip the zipper about 80% of the way.

now place the zippy butterfly you've made so the two outside pieces are lined up, right sides facing each other, and the two lining pieces are lined up, right sides facing each other.

pin both ends of the wristy strap piece together into place just next to the zipper on the outside fabric.

starting at the bottom side edge of the lining fabric on the wrong side of the fabric, sew in a U-shape along the side of the lining, the side of the outer fabric, the end of the outer fabric and the other sides of the outer fabric and lining (leave the bottom edge of the lining fabric open so you can turn your zippy case right side out).

now turn the zippy case right side out. (this is always a fun part, because it looks like whatever you've sewn is unvomiting itself? does that make sense? do i sound like sicko now?)

fold the raw edges of the open side of the lining down into themselves so you have two clean folded edges and pin it.

sew a nice stitch along this side, close to the edge of the fabric.

cut off any loose threads you might have on your zippy case.

stuff your lining back into the outer part, and you have a zippy all set to use!

yay!
if you totally love the camera print or just don't feel like making your own zippy but now feel like your life will be incomplete without one, i'll be listing some camera zippies in the shop this weekend.

also, apparently if you are a puppy, making zippies is actually quite dull and is less preferable to curling up for a nap.

Comments

[wonderamy]

this is the most adorable zippy case ever, in addition to this post being informative and revealing of your secret magical techniques. i need to go rest after all this.

[sara girlscantell]

yes, zippy cases make wonderamy's and janie-dogs need naps. (sorry).

[Litlteput]

& now I know :D Thanks ms.can.tell, I am just learning how to sew, soooo fun!

:)

[kellybot]

Sweet! I always want to sew, have a machine and everything, then get too freaked out by the project. This looks like something I could actually do. thanks!

[Stephanie G.]

I have my grandmother's sewing machine, but am extremely intimidated by it.
You make it look so easy!
I love the camera print!
I am reading "Craft, Inc." right now too.