I've been busy making Valentine zippy bags for some family and friends. Instead of sending a card, I thought I'd switch things up and make folks a little bag as a special treat. Then I got the idea to give you a whirlwind view of the process. Stick around until the end of the post for a family update.

The first step is to quilt the fabric and insert the zippers. You can see that the zippers are way longer than the bags. I trim them down later. The process for inserting the zippers on the outer fabric and lining is shown very nicely in the Shabby Fabric YouTube video I mentioned in another post. You will get a closer look at the quilting in an upcoming photo. I sew in straight lines to make a diamond pattern over the surface of the fabric.

Once the zipper is in, I open it all the way up and topstitch along the side of it.

Honestly, putting in zippers is my favorite step in this process. It is so satisfying. Here is a great look at the quilting I have done on the outside piece of fabric.

Next you have to make the pull tabs and topstitch them. Inserting them is a bit fiddly but not hard. You just have to get them centered over the zipper ends.

Turn your bags inside out before inserting the pull tabs and stitching the sides closed. Be sure you leave the zipper partway open so you can turn the bag right side out again.

Here is the side seam and nicely centered pull tab. See how I trimmed off that zipper to fit?

I always zigzag the unfinished edge of the side seams.

My least favorite part of the process is marking and stitching the boxed corners. I recommend that you watch the video to see how it's done. Basically, you fold the corners down and mark a line 1 1/4" from the tip of the corner. Do this on all four corners of the bag. 

And you are done! Turn the bag right side out and poke out the corners. You should have four nicely boxed corners. I leave the flaps inside because I think it helps give the bag more structure. 

When making more than one bag at a time, I work assembly-line style. This is because I won't have to change out my presser feet so often. I do all the quilting, put in all the zippers, do all the top stitching, make all the pull tabs, sew all the side seams and zigzag them, and finally make all the boxed corners. These bags really are super easy and fast. Especially after you watch the Shabby Fabrics video a few times and make a couple of the bags.

I hope you all have a great weekend. Next week is going to be pretty quiet on the blog. Dennis is scheduled for three consecutive days of infusions in the Bay Area, so we have to go down there and stay in a hotel since it's too far to drive back and forth each day. Each infusion takes six hours, can you believe it? We are hoping his improvement really takes off after he has these infusions.

This sweet boy gets to go to Doggie Sleepover Camp while we are away. He loves it because he gets to hang out with his buddies and tear around like a lunatic. In the picture above, he is about to pounce on his squeaky stuffed meatball. Archie is always ready to get a game going.