Drop Zone Tray Trio Pattern: Sewing Zippered Trays

By Colibri Sewing | Sewing & Quilting Supplies | Published: 2026-10-18

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to sew the Drop Zone Zippered Tray Trio by By Annie. This guide covers fabric prep, zipper installation, and assembly tips for three coordinating trays.

Quick Answer

Sew the Drop Zone Zippered Tray Trio by By Annie using the included full-size templates. Focus on accurate cutting, proper zipper alignment, and consistent seam allowances to get crisp, professional trays.

Why the Drop Zone Tray Trio Pattern Stands Out

The pattern includes templates for small, medium, and large trays, so you can make a set that fits your space. The nested design saves fabric and cutting time compared to drafting your own.

Because the trays are fully lined and have zippered closures, they hold their shape and keep contents secure. The finished trays work for sewing notions, desk supplies, or travel toiletries.

Choosing Fabric and Stabilizer

The pattern works best with medium-weight cotton or quilting cotton for the exterior and lining. For structure, use a firm stabilizer like Pellon 808 Craft-Fuse or a stiff interfacing.

Avoid very lightweight or stretchy fabrics, as they can cause the trays to sag. If you want a softer tray, skip the stabilizer, but expect less structure.

How to Sew the Drop Zone Zippered Tray Trio

Prepare Templates and Fabric: Cut out the full-size templates from the pattern. Use them to cut one exterior piece, one lining piece, and one stabilizer piece for each tray size. Transfer all markings. Common mistake: cutting fabric without fusing stabilizer first. Fuse stabilizer to the wrong side of the exterior fabric before cutting to prevent shifting.
Install the Zipper: Place the zipper face down along the top edge of the exterior piece, right sides together. Sew using a zipper foot, keeping a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Fold the zipper tape back and topstitch close to the fold. Checkpoint: ensure the zipper pull is centered and the tape is straight. A crooked zipper will cause the tray to pucker.
Attach Lining and Finish Edges: Lay the lining piece right side down over the exterior/zipper unit. Sew along the same edge through all layers, then turn right side out. Press flat. Repeat for the opposite side of the zipper with the remaining exterior and lining pieces. Common mistake: forgetting to leave an opening in the lining for turning. If you stitch all the way around, you cannot turn the tray right side out.
Assemble the Tray Body: With the tray inside out, match the side seams and stitch them closed. Then box the corners by flattening each corner into a triangle and stitching across the tip at the depth specified in the pattern. Checkpoint: measure the corner seam from the point to the stitching line. A consistent depth ensures all three trays sit flat.
Finish and Press: Turn the tray right side out through the lining opening. Push out the corners with a blunt tool. Hand-stitch the lining opening closed. Press all seams flat with a steam iron. Final check: run the zipper back and forth to ensure it moves freely. If it catches, check for stray threads near the zipper teeth.

Product Facts

Drop Zone Zippered Tray Trio – By Annie (Includes Templates): Includes full-size templates for easy cutting of small, medium, and large trays. No need to scale or trace patterns; you can cut directly, reducing prep time and cutting errors.
Drop Zone Zippered Tray Trio – By Annie (Includes Templates)