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Free Crossbody Bag Pattern

This new crossbody bag is designed around my day job. Throughout the pandemic, I have continued to visit older and/or people with disabilities in their homes. To reduce risk I have just been taking a mobile phone on a visit but now we are all vaccinated I am taking a tablet and a small notebook. I have missed the ability to write something down, my memory is not reliable!

This free sewing pattern is designed to hold my tablet plus two mobile, a notebook and pen, my current essentials! I guess some would call the free pattern a mini cross body bag.

This purse sewing pattern has a feature external zip pocket plus two easy-access front phone pockets. The purse pattern includes an adjustable shoulder strap and the bag closes with a magnetic snap.

The free sewing cross body bag sewing pattern comes with an accompanying video tutorial. At the end of the post you can print the pdf sewing pattern, along with pattern pieces.

The finished size of the easy bag is 13″ by 9 3/4″ (approx 33cm by 25cm)

Adjusting the cross body bag pattern

Would you prefer the messenger bag a little larger? check out my post How to adjust bag patterns.  Or you may like to add an interior pocket, it is super easy to add a slip pocket. to the lining.

I must admit I am finding this comfortable crossbody purse incredibly useful – I find myself using it all the time!! I hope you find the free tutorial easy to use, the skill level is a beginner.

Crossbody Purse Pattern

Bag Supplies

  • ½ yard of main fabric 
  • One fat quarter of contrast fabric for the front slip pocket – I have used quilt weight cotton
  • ½ yard of lining fabric
  • 1 yard of fusible woven interfacing (FS101) or ½ yard of UK equivalent Vilene G700 (36” wide)
  • ½ yard of fusible fleece
  • One 7” zipper in coordinating or contrasting colors
  • One piece of leather strap ¾” wide by 58” for the adjustable crossbody strap
  • One 16 or 18mm (¾ inch) magnetic snap closure
  • Two ¾” metal D rings
  • Two ¾” metal swivel clasps
  • One 1¾” metal strap slide

Pattern Pieces

Start by cutting your pattern pieces, I find a quilters ruler and rotary cutter very useful for accurate cutting. 

  • Two pieces of external fabric measuring 13 1/2″ by 10 1/4″ (35cm by 27cm)
  • Two pieces of lining  fabric measuring 13 1/2″ by 10 1/4″ (35cm by 27cm)
  • Zip pocket lining fabric measuring 8 by 14″ (21 by 36cm)
  • External contrasting fabric for slip pockets, two pieces measuring 10 1/4″ by 7″ (35cm by 18cm)

The seam allowance is 1/4 ” (1cm )

Adhere fusible fleece to the two external bag pieces and a medium weight fusible interfacing to the bag lining. 

 

Exterior Zip Pocket

This is positioned 3 3/4 inches (10cm) down from the top of the bag, centrally, on the front top outer bag panel.

To construct the zipper pocket place your pocket lining so the right side is facing the right side of the eternal fabric. This needs to be positioned 2 inches (5cm) from the top.

Mark a rectangle for your zip using a fabric pen or similar. The rectangle measures 6 1/2 by 1/2″ (17 by, 1.3cm) this represents your stitch line. Sew along the marked edges of the rectangle. Cut down the center of the rectangle and diagonally into each corner (taking care not to cut your stitches) then pull the lining fabric to the inside of the bag and press.

 

If need be shorten your zipper. Place your zipper behind this opening, you will need to temporarily hold this in place so you can stitch to secure it. There are various methods for doing this, today I have used fabric glue but you can easily use pins or tack in place.

 

Topstitch around the opening, securing the zip in place.

Turn the fabric over, then fold the zip pocket lining so the bottom edge comes up to meet the top edge. Pin then stitch around your three open edges, being careful not to accidentally catch the bag exterior fabric as you stitch.’

Exterior Slip Pockets

To sew the easy-access front phone pocket fold over your pocket piece in half, wrong sides facing each other. Press and top stitch this fold.

Place the pocket piece onto the bottom piece of the front outer bag fabric, baste in place around the edge of the pocket, the left side, right side and bottom. Using a quilters ruler and taylors chalk mark a line centrally down this basted pocket, then stitch in place, ensure you backstitch at the top of the pocket.  This finishes your front pockets. 

 

Now let’s complete the external bag. Place the external pieces together right sides facing each other. Stitch the two sides and base of the bag with a seam allowance of . Trim the corners.

 

Purse Lining

Before we sew the purse lining together we need to insert the magnetic snaps.  Adhere a  piece of fusible fleece to the wrong side of your lining fabric, centrally half an inch from the top edge. A two inch square is a good size to use but it doesn’t matter if it’s a little larger or smaller.

With your quilters ruler measure the position of the center of the magnetic snap, 2″ from the top, centrally position. Mark this position with a pencil, through the washer.

 

 

Cut along your marked slits – I find an unpicker very useful for this. Place the magnetic snaps into the front of the lining piece, with the prongs going through to the back. Place your washer over these prongs then open them out to the edges of the lining piece.

To fully secure the magnetic snap in place I like to add a piece of fusible interfacing over the top, but this is totally optional.

Now let’s sew up the purse lining. At the top of your side seams using the same seam allowance of but as you stitch towards the base of the bag widen your seam allowance just a  fraction – doing this prevents your lining from being a little baggy. For the bottom seam only stitch an inch in from each corner to allow a large turning gap for when we assemble the bag.

Assemble the crossbody bag

Before we assemble the bag we need to create two loops with D rings ready for the shoulder strap.

Cut two pieces of strapping 3″ (7cm) long, thread a D Ring onto each, and fold so the rights sides of the strap are facing outwards.

Place each loop on the sides of the external bag, so that the raw edge of the strapping meets the raw edge of the bag top (loops facing towards the base of the bag, and placed across the side seams). Baste in place.

Now place your lining over the exterior bag so the top edges align with the right sides of the external bag and lining are facing each other.

Stitch along this top edge. Pull the lining out and iron this seam, then place the lining inside the bag. Fold the fabric so you have a neat edge along the top, pin then topstitch to finish this edge.

To finish the lining pull it back out and fold the two raw edges (from the inside bottom of the bag) inwards. Either ladder stitch to close or topstitch this seam. Fold the lining back inside the bag.

Adjustable Strap

To make your cross body strap cut a piece of bag strap 54″ (138cm) long. Place through the slider and fold the edge back on itself so the wrong sides of the strap are facing each other and overlapping by about an inch. Stitch to secure. Stitch a rectangle with two lines across diagonally for additional strength.

Place the other edge of the strap handle through one D ring, then back through the slider, round to the other D ring. Thread through the D ring and fold the edge to meet the strap. Stitch to secure. If need be check out my detailed adjustable shoulder strap tutorial.

Having followed this free crossbody bag pattern to the end I hope you love your adjustable crossbody purse as much as I love mine!!  I am already thinking of the many different medium weight fabric combinations I could use to make several versions. At the same time as making my new crossbody bag I’ve also made myself an oversized large denim tote bag (as you can tell I love making myself a new bag!) – you can find the tutorial for this denim tote over at The Sewing Directory.

If you are new to bag making I have a free bag making course just waiting for you, plus many more free bag patterns.

 

If you love free sewing tutorials sign up to my newsletter.

 

Free Crossbody Purse Pattern

Free Crossbody Purse Pattern

Download the free PDF pattern

Materials

  • ½ yard of main fabric 
  • One fat quarter of contrast fabric for the front slip pocket - I have used quilt weight cotton
  • ½ yard of lining fabric
  • 1 yard of fusible woven interfacing (FS101) or ½ yard of UK equivalent Vilene G700 (36” wide)
  • ½ yard of fusible fleece
  • One 7” zipper in coordinating or contrasting colors
  • One piece of leather strap ¾” wide by 58” for the adjustable crossbody strap
  • One 16 or 18mm (¾ inch) magnetic snap closure
  • Two ¾” metal D rings
  • Two ¾” metal swivel clasps
  • One 1¾” metal strap slide

Tools

  • Sewing machine
  • Zipper foot
  • Thread
  • Scissors

Instructions

    Seam allowance 1/4"

    Adhere fusible fleece to the two external bag pieces and a medium weight fusible interfacing to the bag lining. 

    Exterior Zip Pocket

    This is positioned 3 3/4 inches (10cm) down from the top of the bag, centrally, on the front top outer bag panel.

    To construct the zipper pocket place your pocket lining so the right side is facing the right side of the eternal fabric. This needs to be positioned 2 inches (5cm) from the top.

    Mark a rectangle for your zip using a fabric pen or similar. The rectangle measures 6 1/2 by 1/2" (17 by, 1.3cm) this represents your stitch line. Sew along the marked edges of the rectangle. Cut down the center of the rectangle and diagonally into each corner (taking care not to cut your stitches) then pull the lining fabric to the inside of the bag and press.

    Place your zipper behind this opening, you will need to temporarily hold this in place so you can stitch to secure it. There are various methods for doing this, today I have used fabric glue but you can easily use pins or tack in place.

    Topstitch around the opening, securing the zipper in place.

    Turn the fabric over, then fold the zip pocket lining so the bottom edge comes up to meet the top edge. Pin then stitch around your three open edges, being careful not to accidentally catch the bag exterior fabric as you stitch.'

    Exterior Slip Pockets

    To sew the front pockets fold your pocket piece in half, wrong sides facing each other. Press and top stitch this fold.

    Place the pocket piece onto the bottom piece of the front outer bag fabric, baste in place around the edge of the pocket, within the seam allowance. Using a quilters ruler and taylors chalk mark a line centrally down this basted pocket, then stitch in place, ensure you backstitch at the top of the pocket.  This finishes your front pockets. 

    Now let's complete the external bag. Place the external pieces together right sides facing each other. Stitch the two sides and the base of the bag. Trim the corners.

    Purse Lining

    Before we sew the purse lining together we need to insert the magnetic snap.  Adhere a  piece of fusible fleece to the wrong side of your lining fabric, centrally half an inch from the top edge. A two inch square is a good size to use.

    With your quilters ruler measure the position of the center of the magnetic snap, 2" from the top, centrally position. Mark this position through the washer.

    Cut along your marked slits - I find an unpicker very useful for this. Place the magnetic snaps into the front of the lining piece, with the prongs going through to the back. Place your washer over these prongs then open them out to the edges of the lining piece. Repeat for the other half of the magnetic snap on the corresponding lining piece.

    Add a piece of fusible interfacing over the top, to fully secure.

    Now let's sew up the purse lining. At the top of your side seams use the seam allowance ofm1/4" but as you stitch towards the base of the bag widen your seam allowance just a  fraction. For the bottom seam only stitch an inch in from each corner to allow a large turning gap for when we assemble the bag.

    Assemble the crossbody bag

    Before we assemble the bag we need to create two loops with D rings ready for the shoulder strap.

    Cut two pieces of strapping 3" (7cm) long, thread a D Ring onto each, and fold so the right sides of the strap are facing outwards.

    Place each loop on the sides of the external bag, so that the raw edge of the strapping meets the raw edge of the bag top (loops facing towards the base of the bag, and placed across the side seams). Baste in place.

    Now place your lining over the exterior bag so the top edges align with the right sides of the external bag and lining are facing each other.

    Stitch along this top edge. Pull the lining out and iron this seam, then place the lining inside the bag. Fold the fabric so you have a neat edge along the top, pin then topstitch to finish this edge

    .To finish the lining pull it back out and fold the two raw edges (from the inside bottom of the bag) inwards. Either ladder stitch to close or topstitch this seam. Fold the lining back inside the bag.

    Adjustable Strap

    Cut a piece of bag strap 54" (138cm) long. Place through the slider and fold the edge back on itself so the wrong sides of the strap are facing each other and overlapping by about an inch. Stitch to secure. Stitch a rectangle with two lines across diagonally for additional strength.

    Place the other edge of the strap handle through one D ring, then back through the slider, round to the other D ring. Thread through the D ring and fold the edge to meet the strap. Stitch to secure.

 

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Sandra

Saturday 19th of March 2022

How can I print off the free crossbody bag please

Vicky

Monday 21st of March 2022

Hi, Towards the bottom of the post is a large print button, this will print you the instructions. Just above this button is the words Free PDF pattern which is underlined, if you click this it will open a new page with the pattern pieces - to the top right of this screen is a printer icon, click this for the pattern pieces to print. I trust this helps, Vicky

Ev

Saturday 3rd of July 2021

I think this is great. I would have loved to see the reverse side of this bag (the back). Is it plain? Is there another slip pocket? Where does the other half of the magnetic closure go?

Vicky

Sunday 26th of September 2021

The back is plain fabric with no additional pockets - it is easy to add some of you love lots of pockets:)

Jill Davies

Thursday 1st of July 2021

Hi, I really love this bag and it looks like a pattern that I could make. Thanks for the free patterns.

Peg

Tuesday 29th of June 2021

Grreat job, good instuctions and free Rule of three fits very well here. Thanks, thanks, thanks

Willow Runningwater

Tuesday 29th of June 2021

Love, love, love this!!!!!!! Will make it but not until the yard, garden business gets tended to.

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