How to sew a clear vinyl bag

Sew a see-through zipper case using this easy tutorial.

I'm always looking for clever storage solutions, and see-through is my ultimate fave because I'm a child of the 80's. 

 I searched for a clear tutorial on making see-through vinyl cases but everything I found had the wrong side of the fabric showing on the inside. So here's my rendition with the pretty fabric on both sides.

Put your Crayons in there, your tape, washi tape, stickers, zippers, lady things, markers, whatever.

 You're the boss! Like Tony Danza. 

Or something.

Makeup.
Pink hair dye.
Sewing trinkets.
It all goes.

Yes I bought pre-sharpened pencils for three times the price for my kids.

I just

can't

deal

with

sharpening ten trillion pencils.

It will make you crazy, guaranteed.

UNlike my tutorial, which is written in ultra clear mode.

If you have trouble just IG me! I'll answer as quickly as possible. 

OK! Let's do this.

Supplies: 

Use vinyl that is 10, 12, or 16 gauge --- available online here  OR here. 

Want colorful see-through vinyl? I've got rolls 18" x 48" here.

If it's wrinkled lay it in the sun to warm up or use a hair dryer and it will magically straighten out.

Teflon sewing foot (also called nonstick foot). OR Put scotch tape (cello tape) on the bottom of your regular sewing machine foot so it will slide over the vinyl.  

Zipper Sewing foot - skinny to help sew zipper on.

Fat quarter or remnant of fabric + interfacing scraps. I like SF101 or Craft Fuse by Pellon.

Zipper- 12" or longer we will trim to size. 

Scraps for zipper tabs 2 pieces at 2" x 3" approx

Wonder clips or clothes pegs

Seam Allowance 1/4"

Cut & Prep:

2 pieces of Vinyl: cut at 7 1/2" (tall) x 12 1/2" (wide)

2 pieces of Fabric: 6" x 12 1/2"

2 pieces of Interfacing: 3" x 12 1/2"  

You have 2 zipper tabs at 2" x 3"

Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric pieces now, matching long edges. It doesn't matter which side you choose. We fold the fabric to be doubly thick later.

Sewing:

1. Sew vinyl to fabric along 12 1/2" edge, right sides together.

Put on your vinyl-seeing goggles for this photo:
Like SuperMan/Woman.

Close up 

2. Press fabric and seam allowance up, away from the vinyl. Top stitch, catching the seam allowance that is tucked behind the fabric.

......two rows of top stitching because that's what Bey would do ok? 

3. Fold the top raw edge of the fabric in 1/4" and press. Repeat these steps to make the second side of the bag.

 Arrow is pointing to the top edge that we folded down a quarter inch.

Fold down the top edge to meet with the seam allowance, like photos show. Pin in place and carefully sew along this edge, catching both sides. 

I put several photos of this step so you get me. ;)

4. CUT ZIPPER to exactly 11.5" long    (or 11.25" is ok too-gives more room at the seam allowance). 

If you used a shorter zipper you'll have to make your zipper tabs bigger to close the gaps. Center shorter zipper with longer zipper tabs, and proceed.

Make zipper tabs for the ends of zipper.

Fold 2" x 3" fabric in half and press. Open, then fold ends back in to meet at the original pressed line. Press again. Fold again so it is now like a taco, and fit the end of the zipper inside. Stitch along these folded edges, catching both sides. Trim.

5. Attach zipper to sides.

Place zipper right side down on top of side panel.

 Pin in place and switch to the zipper foot for your sewing machine. Sew along this edge at 1/4" seam allowance.

Fold zipper away, finger press SA down. Top stitch along long edge catching seam allowance. 

6. Place remaining side panel on work surface. Lay zipper side panel on top, right sides together. Match the remaining free edge of zipper to top raw edge of panel. Pin in place and sew along zipper tape 1/4" seam allowance..

7. Lay piece flat and press both sides away from zipper. Top stitch if you haven't already. 

UNZIP the zipper.

Unzip the zipper. Don't make yourself unduly crazy by skipping that bit.

8. Place right sides together and wonder clip all around.

You have your zipper unzipped right?

Sew all around perimeter. (Dashed lines.)

You will NOT be sewing over the zipper tabs at all. If you need to scooch over the needle in the  seam allowance a bit to miss sewing over the tabs do it. No big deal.

9. Trim corners if you like, and trim seam allowance if you have HUGE ones. Sometimes I space out and do giant seam allowances (like one sews in garment sewing) --- so here's a reminder in case you're like me ..  LOL!

Turn right sides out, carefully. It will be sticky-ish and crinkly at first, but the vinyl will smooth everything out once warmed --so pOp it in some sunshine and watch it magically look fantastic again. Or use a blow dryer to heat it up first, then turn.

Yay it's done!

You may have to push those zipper tabs out more with your fingers. Sometimes it takes a bit of pushing.

Time to fill it with pretty stuff. Just because.

I'm thinking Simone could totally use one for all her medals. . .

What do you think?

She needs to organize them, am I right?! 

Or I could make an XL large one for Queen Bey and her grammy collection. 

This tutorial works for any size- just make the measurements bigger or smaller to suite. 

I have tons of tutorials and videos for vinyl projects! 

Here are tutorials.

Here are videos.

Happy Sewing friends! Tag me if you make some bags, I'd love to see them!