I absolutely love a 3D zipper pocket on my bags and backpacks. Every time I add one, the bag looks better and works better, too. It’s a small detail that makes the whole project feel more special.
I’ll be honest, though. It isn’t the easiest pocket to sew. The first time you try it, it can feel a little tricky. But I think it’s so worth it. It creates such a beautiful effect and makes your bags more functional.
And here’s the fun part. You can draft a 3D zipper pocket in any shape and any size you like. It doesn’t have to be a plain rectangle. That’s why the 3D zipper pocket is the main focus of this project inside the Bag Maker Community, where I teach bag makers how to design their own patterns.
This month’s project is a laptop sleeve where we add this 3D pocket, so you can learn it step by step on a simple, practical bag. The techniques you’ll learn can be used for all kinds of projects, different bags, backpacks, you name it. A laptop sleeve is simply the perfect, simple shape to practice on.
What You’ll Learn From This Laptop Sleeve Project
This project includes a pattern-drafting tutorial and a sewing tutorial so that you can make it with no guessing. And once you know these techniques, you can use them on all kinds of other bags and backpacks.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this project:
- How to draft a 3D zipper pocket. You’ll see how your zipper size sets the pocket depth, and how to draw the pocket in any shape you like. I keep mine simple: a rectangle with curved corners.
- How to sew a 3D zipper pocket. It’s the tricky part of this project, so the sewing tutorial walks you through it. The pocket is neat and clean inside, with no binding.
- How to sew a fully lined main compartment with a zipper opening. There’s no binding here either, so the sleeve looks really nice inside and out.
- How to add handles and change them. I added handles to make the sleeve easier to carry, but they’re optional. You can add connectors for a crossbody strap, or make the handles longer so they work as shoulder straps.
In a future lesson, I’ll show you how to change this pocket to get even more depth, just like I did on this office bag.
More Projects Inside The Bag Maker Community
Do you wish your bags had a different pocket, a deeper gusset or a different strap? Inside the Bag Maker Community, I teach you how to design your own patterns from scratch, so you can make exactly the bag you have in mind. Every project includes pattern drafting and sewing tutorials.
Here are a few other projects you will find inside the BMC.
Hip bag
A flat hip bag with a front zipper pocket and darts, a back zipper pocket with a contrasting accent overlay and a main zipper hidden under a placket.
Circle bag
A circle bag with round front and back panels, contrasting piping and a gusset with a zipper that goes around the entire bag.
Bucket bag
A mini bucket bag with a perfect circle base, top trim with eyelets, and a drawstring closure.
Stay crafty, friend!
Monika x
