Quick answer

Install the Oberlin Zipper + Lining Add-On by first preparing your lining fabric and zipper, then sewing the lining to the zipper tape before attaching it to the bag body. This creates a clean interior finish and prevents raw edges from showing.

Why use the Oberlin Zipper + Lining Add-On?

This add-on provides a color-matched zipper closure kit and off-white army duck canvas lining fabric that integrates with your main bag pattern. It saves you from sourcing matching materials separately and ensures a consistent look inside and out.

The included PDF instructions and video supplement the main pattern, so you don't need to guess seam allowances or zipper placement. This is especially helpful if you are new to installing zippers into lined bags.

Common challenges when installing zipper lining

One frequent issue is the lining fabric shifting or bunching as you sew near the zipper teeth. Because the lining is a separate piece, it can pull away from the zipper tape if not pinned or basted carefully.

Another challenge is aligning the zipper pull and stops so they sit symmetrically on both sides of the bag opening. The add-on kit's color-matched zipper helps, but you still need to mark the center points on both the zipper and the lining before sewing.

Step-by-step installation guide

  1. Prepare the lining and zipper: Cut the lining fabric to the size specified in your main pattern's instructions. Mark the center of the zipper tape and the center of each lining piece with a fabric pen or clip. A common mistake is skipping the center marks, which leads to an off-center zipper. Always mark before sewing.
  2. Attach lining to zipper tape: Place the lining right side up against the zipper tape's right side, aligning the raw edges. Pin or baste along the entire length, keeping the zipper teeth clear of the seam allowance. If you sew too close to the teeth, the zipper pull can catch on the stitches. Keep at least a 1/4-inch gap from the teeth.
  3. Sew the lining-zipper assembly to the bag body: With the bag body right side out, position the lining-zipper unit so the zipper faces the bag opening. Sew through all layers along the seam line specified in your pattern, then trim and finish the seam allowance. Check that the zipper pull moves freely before trimming. A caught thread or fabric edge can jam the zipper after installation.
  4. Press and topstitch for a clean finish: Press the seam toward the lining side, then topstitch 1/8 inch from the seam line on the lining side. This prevents the lining from rolling out and gives a professional look. Use a pressing cloth to avoid melting or scorching the zipper tape. A hot iron directly on nylon zipper teeth can damage them.

What you get with the Oberlin Zipper + Lining Add-On

  • Oberlin Zipper + Lining Add-On – Please Choose Same as Main Color: Includes off-white natural 10.10 oz army duck canvas lining fabric, color-matched zipper closure kit, and PDF instructions with video. The pre-matched lining and zipper save you from hunting for coordinating materials, and the video helps you visualize each step, reducing guesswork.

    Oberlin Zipper + Lining Add-On – Please Choose Same as Main Color

    Oberlin Zipper + Lining Add-On – Please Choose Same as Main Color