If you’re new to my 52 zippers project, you can read the backstory, see all the zipper pouches, and download basic zipper pouch instructions here.

Well hello! It was not my intention to take the entire summer off from work, but that’s what happened. And it was lovely! But now it’s time to get back to work. The kids are back in school, I feel more refreshed and definitely motivated to finish my zipper project.

This bag is called simply “The Cube”, by Penny Sturges at Quilts Illustrated. I’m on a mission to find the perfect doctor-style bag that has internal metal bars at the top opening (they’re called “stays”). This pattern came with one pair of the metal stays included, and you can also buy refills of the metal stays separately.

Bags like this open super nice and wide and stay open, so they’re perfect for project bags. You’ll be seeing a few more of this kind of bag over the next while (so far I’ll be making at least 5 more, all different).

If you know of any other patterns with this style, please let me know in the comments. I really do want to try them all!

It is SUPER cute and such a good size. For the outside, I used a magical linen/cotton blend from Robert Kaufman. I’ve had bundles of the Essex Pond coordinates sitting on my shelf for months that were too pretty to open, so I made an accent panel for the front pocket out of them all together. I added in a few extra Essex colors I had on hand. The handles are also Essex linen. After finishing the bag I looked at other photos of The Cube online and it looks like I put the handles on sideways. Oops! 🙂

I used a metal zipper, as I wanted the zipper to be very durable. And pretty. I added a matching panel from the Essex bundle on the other side of the bag.

The lining is an older Anna Maria Horner print that meshed well with the Essex bundle. This bag has foam inside, so it is nice and springy and stands up very well, even when full.

There are even a few organizational pockets inside. I’m finding this bag simply perfect for toting around my large EPP project that doesn’t fit in my Sew it Goes tote. It would also be perfect for a small knitting project.

I simply LOVE this bag. It is very high on my list of contenders for Christmas and teacher’s gifts this year… I’ll be whipping up the other small ones soon so I can decide!

See you back here soon with another zipper project! Only 30 to go…

Zipper pouch specs:
Size: The Cube, as written in the pattern
Zipper: 24” metal zipper, trimmed to 17″