Free Triple Zipper Bag Sewing Pattern

The Triple Zipper Bag by Caroline Fairbanks (SewCanShe) is a stylish, multi-compartment clutch designed for both function and polish. With three exterior zippered sections and a hidden interior pocket, it’s perfect for organizing everyday essentials.

Finished Size:
Approx. 7” (W) × 5” (H) × 3” (D)
Structured with foam stabilizer so it stands upright.

Gather Materials

Fabric

• 1 Fat Quarter (FQ) – main exterior + center lining
• 1 FQ – coordinating fabric (side linings)
• 1 FQ or 3 yards (2¼” wide) – bias binding

Interfacing & Stabilizer

• Foam stabilizer: 13” × 13” (e.g., Soft & Stable)
• Fusible interfacing: ¼ yard (SF101 or similar)

Zippers

• 3 handbag zippers (size #4.5, 12”+)
• OR 36” zipper tape + pulls
• 1 small zipper (4”) for coin pocket

Hardware

• 2 × ½” D-rings
• Optional: triglide + 2 swivel clips (for adjustable strap)

Tools

• Sewing machine + zipper foot
• Walking foot (recommended for quilting)
• Wonder clips
• Sewing stiletto (very helpful!)
• Heat-erasable fabric marker

Step 1: Create Quilted Fabric Panels

1.1 Build the Quilt Sandwich

• Cut:
  • 13” × 13” main fabric
  • 13” × 13” coordinating fabric
• Place foam stabilizer between them
• Baste layers together

1.2 Quilt the Panel

• Use a walking foot
• Quilt simple lines (wavy or straight)
• Keep stitching evenly spaced for a professional look

1.3 Cut From Quilted Piece

Cut:

• 2 × main body pieces (from template)
• 2 × strips: 1¼” × 11½” (side zipper panels)
• 1 × strip: 1¼” × 12½” (center zipper panel)

Step 2: Cut Remaining Fabric Pieces

From Main Fabric (non-quilted)

• 2 × center lining pieces (template)
• 1 × 8” × 6” (coin pocket)
• 1 × 5½” × 4½” (card/slip pocket)
• 2 × 2” × 3” (D-ring tabs)

From Coordinating Fabric

• 2 × lining pieces (template for outer compartments)

Step 3: Make Interior Pockets

3.1 Welt Zipper Pocket (Coin Pocket)

• On one lining piece:
  • Mark a 4” zipper opening
  • Install zipper using welt method
  • Attach pocket bag behind opening

3.2 Slip Pocket

• Fold the 5½” × 4½” piece in half
• Press and topstitch top edge
• Center on second lining piece
• Stitch sides and bottom

3.3 Assemble Lining Units

• Place coordinating lining behind each main lining (wrong sides together)
• Baste around edges (⅛”)
  This creates a clean, double-sided lining

Step 4: Prepare Zipper Panels

4.1 Side Zipper Panels (Make 2)

1. Take 11½” quilted strips
2. Place zipper face down on strip
3. Stitch along edge
4. Cover zipper ends with binding squares (1½”)
   • This reduces bulk later

Repeat for second panel
Make sure zippers are mirrored (open same direction)

4.2 Center Zipper Panel

Make D-Ring Tabs

1. Fold 2” × 3” pieces lengthwise
2. Fold raw edges inward
3. Topstitch
4. Insert D-rings

Attach Tabs + Zipper

1. Baste D-ring tabs to ends of 12½” strip
2. Attach zipper (shorter than strip – intentional)
3. Bind zipper ends like side panels

Step 5: Mark Centers (Important for Alignment)

On all pieces:

• Fold in half
• Mark:
  • Center of zipper panels
  • Center top & bottom of body pieces
  • Center of lining

This ensures everything lines up correctly

Step 6: Attach Side Panels to Bag Body

6.1 Clip and Shape

• Clip zipper panel to quilted body piece

6.2 Clip Curves (Critical Step)

• Make ¼” snips every ½” along curved edges
  Allows fabric to spread smoothly

6.3 Sew

• Stitch with ¼” seam allowance

Repeat for other side

6.4 Finish Seams

• Cover seams with bias binding (2¼” wide)
• Join binding ends neatly:
  • Fold ends back
  • Stitch together with ¼” seam

Step 7: Attach Center Panel to Lining

1. Place zipper panel right side facing lining main fabric side
2. Stitch one side (¼” seam)
3. Repeat for second lining piece

Now center section is formed

Step 8: Final Assembly (“Stuffing Method”)

8.1 First Side Assembly

1. Place center unit inside one side panel
2. Align:
   • Closed center zipper under open side zipper
   • Bound seams should nest (not stack)
3. Clip securely

8.2 Sew Carefully

• Use zipper foot (tight space!)
• Sew around entire edge
• Bind seam

8.3 Turn Bag

• Turn right side out through zipper

8.4 Attach Final Side

1. “Stuff” remaining side into lining
2. Align edges
3. Clip and sew
4. Bind final seam

Step 9: Finish the Bag

• Turn entire bag right side out
• Open zippers to shape compartments

You now have:

• 3 zippered compartments
• Interior coin pocket
• Card pocket

Step 10: Add Strap (Optional)

• Attach strap to D-rings
• Options:
  • Wrist strap
  • Crossbody strap (adjustable with triglide)

Final Result

You now have a professional-quality triple compartment bag that is:

• Structured and sturdy
• Highly organized
• Stylish and customizable

Pro Tips

• Use a stiletto when sewing thick layers
• Keep seams neat with careful binding
• Always check zipper direction before sewing
• Take your time during final assembly—it’s the trickiest part