Last month at my Modern Quilt Guild Retreat, my friend Vicky gifted everyone at the retreat with a personalized zip bag.  She tried to personalize the fabrics she chose to match each gals personality too.  It was so thoughtful and so cute.  It was a wonderful idea and I am not too proud to say that I stole it.  I thought it would make great holiday gifts for all of my sewing friends and family. I have a huge stash of sewing themed prints that I have picked up along my travels.  It does not take much fabric and who doesn’t love something homemade?!

Here is the bag that Vicky made for me.  It features a see thru vinyl zip pocket and on  the back there is another pocket.

The pattern is an embroidery pattern where the bag is sewn entirely in the hoop!  It is made by Lisa from Pickle Pie Designs.

I have an old Bernina 630e Embroidery Machine and I was able to squeeze it in the mega hoop that I own.  All the details for the pattern, size of hoop needed, and types of embroidery machines she supports is on her website.  She has a lot of other cute patterns too that you might want to try.  You have to have your own alphabet and pattern for any personalization.

You start out by hooping some tear away stabilizer and it stitches guides for your zipper placement.

Just align the zipper and it is all stitched for you!  No reason to fear the zipper here!

It satin stitches on your vinyl and attached the upper fabric to personalize.

You switch to your personalized name embroidery and position and stitch it on.

Then she shows you how to add all of the other fabric and stitch it all in the hoop.

She leaves a section to turn it right side out.  You just need to pull it out of the hoop, trim and turn it right side out.

This one is for one of my sit and stitch sisters, Wanda.  Shhh.  It is for our Christmas exchange.

Here is another bag I made for myself to hold all my pens and pencils that I carry around to jot things down when inspiration strikes.

I am going to make a pile of these and fill them with some fun goodies for the holidays.

Do you have some great small handmade items that you are making for this holiday season?  Let me know!