DIY Guides
March 25, 2026

How to Sew Zipper Garages for MYOG Bags and Gear

Jared Kukura

Executive BIkefisher

Adding a zipper garage to your MYOG bags and gear is a quick and easy way to create a clean look by tucking away sliders when zippers are closed. Zipper garages also provide opportunities to add personality with different designs and fabric choices. I listed step-by-step instructions below for the two zipper garage options I use for my projects.

Some Notes Before Sewing

Option A sews the garage to the zipper before sewing the fabric panels to the zipper. Option B sews the garage to the zipper after sewing the fabric panels to the zipper.
Find instructions for sewing zippers here.
Option A is best for a zipper in the middle of the bag or when you need to conserve fabric. I think Option B works best for a zipper near the corner of the bag.
I haven’t noticed any functional differences between the two options, but I personally prefer the look of Option B to Option A.

Option A

1. Cut a piece of fabric that measures 4 inches long and 1.5 times the width of the zipper. For instance, cut a 4-inch x 1.5-inch piece of fabric if your zipper is 1 inch wide.

2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise so it measures 2 inches.

3. Align the open edges of the fabric with the end of the zipper and sew the top and bottom edges of the fabric and zipper together. You should notice a tunnel between the fabric and the zipper.