The Tessellated Tote incorporates a zipper into the lining bottom to allow easy access to the electronics. Pin the zipper to the bottom edge of one of the bag lining pieces (Figure M), with right sides of zipper and lining together. The zipper ends should overhang the cutouts on both sides of the lining.
Using a zipper foot, sew the zipper to the lining, then fold the zipper away from the lining with seam allowance underneath the lining. Topstitch along the lining (Figure N). Next, place the unsewn zipper edge along the remaining lining piece, right sides together, and sew together with a zipper foot. Open up the zipper edge, fold the seam allowance under the lining and topstitch along the lining (Figure O).
Place the two lining pieces, which are now connected by a zipper along their bottom edges, right side together and pin them along their sides. Sew a straight seam down each side, following the red lines in Figure P.
Figure P. Photo by Debra Ansell Figure Q. Photo by Debra Ansell
Figure R. Photo by Debra Ansell Figure S. Photo by Debra Ansell
Open the lining, pinching the square corner cutouts together so that the ends of the zipper stick out. Pin the corner sides together so that the middle of the zipper aligns with the side seams. Make sure that the zipper pull is located between the lining’s two corners before you sew them closed (Figure Q).
Pin the corner seams together and sew across the corners, using the same technique you did with the bag exterior. After sewing the corners, trim off any extra part of the zipper that hangs outside the lining (Figure R). The lining is now taking shape with boxed corners and a zip-open bottom (Figure S).
