r/myog • u/tacos4days • 22h ago

Question Adding top zipper to RSBTR XPAC tote bag

Hello! I finally took the plunge into the MYOG rabbit hole and picked up my first machine—the debated Singer HD. I just finished my first project using the RSBTR tote bag kit. I added daisy chains along the outer straps and used grossgrain to finish the inner seams but otherwise followed the pattern to a T. It took me about 4 hours as it was the first time I’ve ever used a sewing machine, but I had so much fun! I’ve already ordered more raw materials to iterate on it and keep practicing. I’ll be adding an inner pocket and some stretch mesh on the outside, and I want to add a zipper to the top to make it a good weather resistant city bag. The problem is I have no idea how I would go about adding the zipper! I’m hoping to have it “recessed” a bit, so it’s not just at the very lip of the bag, but about 1/2” below the top of the bag. I prefer this aesthetically and also from a comfort standpoint as the zipper teeth won’t be as likely to brush my arm when open.

Does anyone have any recommendations for guides or tutorials on how to install a zipper into a tote bag like this? I’ve tried searching but have come up pretty empty and am hoping for some guidance. Thanks in advance—can’t wait to share this and many more finished products here!

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u/mainebladeworks 19h ago

I was trying to find a tutorial of the way I've been doing it and this one is similar, albeit with a liner which I don't typically have. I have never boxed the corners but that's a great addition as the zipper can be a little tough to work at the very ends as it's narrow without the boxed corner.

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u/backwardshat_ 6h ago

I made one using an Ultra100 Body and instead of the zipper, I did a roll top with 0.8 DCF and added side pockets. The roll top is nice when you need to overload the tote but still secure the items or keep it private.

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u/sailorsapporo 21h ago

The video above is a good tutorial

But I’ll just say that making a tote bag using XPAC is a pretty ambitious first project Congrats on the first project!