1/2 yard sturdy canvas and 16 inch zipper is all it takes to make a jumper cable storage bag. No more listening to jumper cables slide around your trunk.
My husband wanted this bag for some time; he likes a tidy trunk. Jumper cables can be coiled, but they uncoil and are soon sliding around again. He was always moving them out of the way.
This is a quick and easy pattern. Learn zipper installation and mitered corners.
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Supplies
1/2 yard of canvas (or two pieces, each measuring 17" wide x 18.25" high)
Thread (to match fabric background)
2 pieces of fabric (match zipper), each 1.25" x 1" (lighter weight cotton - not canvas)
hint: quilting pins are easier to use than regular pins; a tupperware box works well as a supply box.
Note: all seams are 1/4 inch. Always iron between steps.
Prepare Fabric Pieces
Cut two pieces of bag fabric (canvas), each measuring 17" wide x 18.25" high
Cut two pieces of fabric, each measuring 1.25" high x 1" wide (see above Supplies)
Press under the top edge of each bag piece 1/4"
Press under the top edge of each small piece 1/4" to create a 1" square
Directions
1. Stitch across the zipper on each end, just beyond the metal area. This will hold the "tails" together (enhanced in white on the right.
Lay-out pattern pieces as shown above. Cut out fabric pieces. The photo on the right shows fabric cut for all four bags.
2. Prepare Zipper Ends
Place zipper face up on working surface. Place the small fabric piece wrong side down on the end of the zipper, with the folded edge toward the metal stop onthe zipper. Pin into place. Stitch across the end, close to the metal stop. Repeat on the pull end of the zipper. NOTE: you will need a zipper foot.
Zipper foot: The zipper foot allows the needle to get much closer to the zipper teeth than a regular foot would because it has an open area toward the zipper. Refer to your machine's manual for directions on using your zipper foot.
3. Trim Zipper Piece
Your zipper now has an extension on each end. Trim the overall zipper (with extensions) to 17" long. If you need to trim, cut evenly off each end (in other words, if you need to remove 1/2", cut 1/4" off each end. The photo on the right shows a trimmed end. The zipper itself (including coil and metal ends) is 16" and I have 1/2" extension on each end, creating a piece that is 17" in length.
4. Stitch Bag Sides To Zipper
Press under the top of each bag piece 1/4" if you have not already done so. Place the zipper piece right side up on your working surface and close the zipper. Pin one bag piece to the zipper so that
the folded edge is next to the coil and is right side up. Stitch close to the fold. Repeat on the other side.
Stitched Zipper And Sides
The bag is now made of three parts - the two side pieces and the zipper down the center.
The photo on the right shows a partially open zipper.
5. Stitch Sides & Bottom
Open the zipper. Fold the bag right sides together (fold at zipper). Pin sides and bottom. Stitch down both sides and across the bottom. I used my regular machine to stitch the seams, then went over them with my serger because canvas tends to ravel.
6. Cut Lines For Mitered Corners
Draw a 1" box in each bottom corner. Measure between seams. Draw another square 1/4" inside the first square. Cut out the inside square. The outer square's lines will become your stitch line.
7. Stitch Miter Seams
Pull apart the layers and line up the seams so one is on top of the other. Line up the top cut edges. Pin layers together. Stitch layers. The stitch line is enhanced in red in the image below. This creates the mitered corner. Repeat on both corners. Turn your bag right side out through the open zipper area.
NOTE: the photos below are from our wheelchair cushion cover pattern. The fabric is different; the method is the same.
