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These functional nesting storage cases are great for travel and storage. They can store clothes, shoes, and smaller items depending on the size of the case. The case has a handy handle so you have easy access when needed. When not in use, they can store flat. Easy and functional! I use HeatnBond Iron-on Vinyl in matte for durability.
Use a nylon zipper so it can be easily cut to size if needed. For this tutorial, I used a scalloped nylon zipper. You can use a normal nylon zipper if you don’t have scalloped. For attaching the zipper, Therm O Web’s latest product PeelnStick Basting Tape is great for holding the zipper in place when sewing for an easy and clean application.
There are three sizes - large, medium, and small. For this tutorial, we are making a large size. I have also included the medium and small measurements below. Follow the same instructions for all sizes.
Let’s begin!
You will need the following materials:
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Size Large, cut the following (for this tutorial, we are making the large size):
- One 30” x 16” cotton rectangle - for the body
- One 30” x 16” HeatnBond Iron-On Vinyl rectangle - for the body
- Two 12” x 2 ½” cotton rectangles - for the top and bottom binding
- One 7” binding strip for the handle/loop
Size Medium, cut the following:
- One 24” x 13” cotton rectangle - for the body
- One 24” x 13” HeatnBond Iron-On Vinyl rectangle - for the body
- Two 9 ¼” x 2 ½” cotton rectangles - for the top and bottom binding
- One 7” binding strip for the handle/loop
Size Small, cut the the following:
- One 20” x 11” cotton rectangle - for the body
- One 20” x 11” HeatnBond Iron-On Vinyl rectangle - for the body
- Two 7 ¼” x 2 ½” cotton rectangles - for the top and bottom binding
- One 7” binding strip for the handle/loop
TIPS:
- Use the matte side of the paper that was attached to the vinyl when pressing the vinyl to prevent melting! Never iron directly on the vinyl once applied to the fabric.
- Read and follow the instructions carefully for applying the vinyl to the fabric. If you need a tutorial, there is a great video tutorial on the Therm O Web website here .
Prep the Top Handle/Loop and Binding
- Take one 7” binding strip and edgestitch each side, leaving the ends un-sewn. Set aside and prep the bindings.
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- For the top and bottom bindings, take one 12” x 2 ½” cotton rectangle and fold in both sides by ¼” to the wrong side and press. Fold in half lengthwise and press. Repeat for the second binding strip. Set the loop and binding aside and make the body.
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Prep the Body
- Apply the 30” x 16” HeatnBond Iron-On Vinyl rectangle onto the 30” x 16” cotton rectangle. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the package on application process.
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- Fold in both sides by ¼” to the wrong side (the 16” sides). Finger press and then press with an iron (make sure to place the matte side of the paper on top of the folded edge while pressing). Sew a seam along the front sides using a ⅛” seam allowance.
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Make the Side Gussets
- To make the side gussets, fold the body in half (this will be the 16” side) and finger press to make a crease. Make a mark on the top and bottom along the middle crease.
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- Open the fold, and take the left side and meet it to the middle crease and finger press the fold. Make a mark on the top and bottom of the crease using a water soluble pen.
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- Make a 1 ½” mark on the bottom and top to the right and left sides of the mark (mark from step 2) and fold along each mark from top to bottom making a crease (you should have 3 folded creases).
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- Edgestitch a seam along the left side of the first folded edge. Skip the middle folded crease and edgestitch a seam along the left side of the last folded crease.
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- Once the gussets are edgestitched, meet each side and clip in place (the middle crease should be sandwiched in between). Repeat the process for the right side of the body.
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Attach the Zipper
- To attach the zipper, take the PeelnStick Basting Tape and cut a 16” piece (read the instructions per the packaging on application). Starting on either side of the middle folded seam, place the basting tape along the outer folded edge (use the sewn seam as a guide on placement which should be about ¼” wide).
**NOTE - if using a regular nylon zipper, place the basting tape on the wrong side (under) of the folded middle edge seam and place the basted side on top of the zipper's edges.
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- Open the zipper (leaving about a 1 ½” tails of the zipper ends, this will be trimmed once applied) and place the zipper (about ⅛” from the zipper teeth) onto the basting tape. Pressing in place along the zipper. Repeat this process for the other side of the zipper.
**NOTE: if using a regular nylon zipper, sew close to the edge of the folded seam to secure the zipper in place, repeating for the other side of the zipper.
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- Once the zipper is basted on, I like to sew a seam on the bottom of the zipper area so you won’t lose the zipper pull when trimming the zipper down. Do the same for the top area, but make sure the zipper pull is towards the middle when doing this, so you don’t lose the zipper pull!
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- Sew a seam close to each side of the zipper teeth, using a ⅛” seam allowance. Once the zipper is sewn on, trim down any excess zipper ends.
Attach the Top Handle/Loop and Bindings
- Attach the top loop. Find the top center of the body and mark with a pen. Measure 1” from the left and right sides of the middle mark and make marks. Place the raw edge of one of the binding strip ends to the left mark, centering, and clip in place. Repeat for the other side. Baste the binded loop onto the body.
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- To attach the top and bottom bindings, starting on the top edge, take the raw edge of a binding piece and align it to the top raw edge of the body. Clip in place and sew using a ⅜” seam allowance. Make sure to backstitch from start to finish.
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- Fold the bindings edge to the other side and clip in place. Edgestitch along the bottom seam of the binding in place. Repeat for the bottom of the body.
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You are now done!
by Karen Pratt
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