I have a question for all of you who have been trying the ITH zipper purses. Do you prefer to make the kind that has a lining and you have to finish up closing them by hand or the ones that are unlined and you can stitch all the way around them and turn them out thru the zipper opening? I personally would forego the lining and have it stitched all the way around so there are no slip stitches showing on the outside. I've done several now and my favorite is one that has a satin stitch for the final stitch so it really covers up the raw edge inside quite well. Unfortunately I don't remember where I got that one. This particular pattern is lined but it has an inside seam that is finished off with a satin stitch making it very neat.

Thanks to all who chimed in on this question. It is good that there are so many designs out there that everyone can find one that pleases them.

I'm like most below I prefer the lined type..

I prefer the lined ones with no raw edges and no hand stitching :)
I have made eye glass cases with satin stitch around and were fully lined too, and they were elegant. The design was from a wonderful Cutie (in DBC). I have uploaded their pictures in Cute some time ago.
Hugs, Lidia

For me there is only one choice and that is lined. I have made eye glass cases in the past with satin stitch around. Thanks to a wonderful Cutie I now make lined eye glass cases and they look so very professional. The satin stitch looks scruffy in comparison.

2 comments

by queenofhearts 23 Oct 2015

When I mentioned the satin stitch it is on the inside of the bag to finish off the raw edge, It is not visible on the outside of the bag, no scruffy look there.

by airyfairy 26 Oct 2015

I see......

Lined. I wish I could find the lined with seams enclosed.Just a nicer finish.

1 comment

by queenofhearts 25 Oct 2015

Sue's design is lined with seams enclosed.

Lining makes the purse more professional and most of the ones I have made have the open part for turning in the lining; this is easily closed by slip stitching or with the regular machine. Since it is the lining it won't show anyway.

1 comment

by embquilt 31 Oct 2015

I agree with this.

Lined for me for sure...I do not like the other ones which are unfinished inside or "machine finished" inside...I am REALLY not a fan of those that are stitched all around with a satin stitch...to me they can look unkempt...As far as the small bit of hand stitching or closing a small opening with Steam-A-Seam or fabric glue...the opening is very small...three inches maybe...To me that is so minimal compared to the professional finish if the bags...I am a lined girl all the way!

I like the ones that are lined. G

As for myself I do not like the ones that need to be turned,give me the unlined ones so when I'm done I'm done. I don't think it makes that much difference if they are fully lined or not, so far I have never had anyone examine them. I also sew what I like- unlined or lined

A lining every time for me. I prefer to have the zip tape enclosed as well. I slip stitch the lining to the stitches of the previous colour. Nothing is visible from the outside.

1 comment

by queenofhearts 22 Oct 2015

Even on the ones that are not fully lined my zipper tapes are fully enclosed on the ones that I have done.

I have no preference, will do both if needed. Love Chris

I just finished the first of Sue's pattern. At first I thought I had it done wrong because the lining was on the outside, till I realized that it needed to be turned again. I have not done any others, but have overcome the fear that my machine will get ruined by sewing over a zipper. So I can not compare

Have just recently tried the lined kind. I would sa for most purposes the unlined works just fine. Glad I saw how a lined one was made, as I couldn't puzzle it out in my head.

1 comment

by queenofhearts 22 Oct 2015

Some say that it is done entirely in the hoop but that is not true because either there is some hand stitching or you have to use the stuff that bonds seams together and I am not a fan of that stuff.