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Small Crossbody Bag DIY

Need a small crossbody bag for your mobile, keys and wallet? This bag is quick to sew, using a fat quarter and an A4 piece of paper.  The bag includes a small zip pocket in the back, perfect for your personal items.

If you love bag patterns check out my page full of free bag patterns and tutorials.

Small Crossbody Bag DIY - Back view, zip pocket

I created this bag for our wonderful childminder. Pauline has cared for our tot son wonderfully two days a week for over four years. Sometime back she mentioned the idea of a compact crossbody bag just for keys and mobile. It seemed the perfect time to make her one as a thank you for all she has given us as a family through her care for our son.

Need a small cross body bag for your wallet, keys and mobile? This is the bag for you. This DIY cross body bag includes a zip pocket for personal item. Tutorial

Learn how to sew this small bag, perfect for a night out - it holds keys, wallet an mobile. Have fun sewing up your own cross body bag with a fat quarter. #freebagpattern #bagtutorial

Typing this brings a tear to my eye, I miss having a tot running around the house – let’s crack on with the tutorial!!

Personally I am rather passionate about bag making – if you are new to bag making I have the perfect Beginners Bag Making Course for you which covers so many essential skills for bag making, and includes many free bag tutorials. 

Small Cross Body Bag

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RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:

  • A4 piece of paper as a template
  • fabric for main bag A4 size plus seam allowance
  • Fabric for the lining A4 size plus seam allowance
  • Heavy weight iron on interfacing A4 size
  • Fusible fleece A4 size
  • Magnetic snap
  • Zip 7″
  • piece of fabric for back pocket 8.6″ by 8.1″
  • 2″ by 50″ fabric for the handle, lined with heavy weight interfacing
  • Strip of bondaweb

To make:

Attach your interfacing to the lining fabric and fusible fleece to your external fabric.

Place your fabric pieces wrong sides together. Fold as per the dimensions of your finished bag – my flap is three and a half inches, with the internal front of the bag three and three quarters. Iron so you have creases marking the different sections of the bag.

fold fabric into three sections

Install zip pocket for the rear back of the bag – mine is sewn 4.7″ from the top of the main fabric. If you would like directions for installing a zip pocket So Sew Easy has a great tutorial here.

mark zipper placement

 

zipper placement

Place fabric right sides together, sew the short sides of your rectangle together.

Turn right side out and press. Fold back into your bag shape showing your fabric creases.

top and bottom seams

Mark placement of magnetic snap centrally on the inside of the front flap, and insert – be careful to only snip through the lining.

magnetic snap

Using this as a guide mark and fit magnetic snap on the front of the bag.

Top stitch these two edges (this gives a little strength).

Create your strap. Firstly fold the strap in half and press. Next fold out, turn the sides into the middle and press. Fold the two edges together, press and stitch along both long edges.

strap handle

Pin onto the bag, just above the top of your main bag.

pin handle

Turn the bag out to the wrong side.

right sides together

Fold in the fabric which creates the front of the bag (see picture).

fold bag

Ensure the strap of the bag is folded into the middle so that it does not caught.

Sew the sides together, leaving 3.5″ along the side at the top

nearly finished!!

Turn right side out. Iron the fabric closed with bondaweb.

You’ve done it:) One finished bag – the only question is what fabric will you use??

If you love bag making sign up to my newsletter for access to my free resource library, the resource library includes Top Tips for Bag Making along with various bag patterns.

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This post is linked up with All Free Sewing – do check out their website for lots of inspiring free sewing tutorials, including many other free crossbody bag patterns.

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Patty

Friday 8th of October 2021

This is an adorable purse! I think I shall make some for gifts. Thank you for sharing. Patty

Momma

Friday 15th of March 2019

Where do you get A4 paper?

Diane Furtney

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

I have not heard of an A4 size paper. Would that by 8-1/2 X 11 or the larger size which we call legal which I believe is 8-1/2 X 16? Looks like a great little bag which will be light weight. Spending the winter in a hot climate, most purses are too big, cumbersome and heavy

Vicky

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

Hi - good question:) Its 8 1/2 by 11 3/4 - enjoy sewing :)

Pam @Threading My Way

Saturday 14th of November 2015

A very handy sized bag, Vicky and a great idea to attach the strap. Looks great!!!

Pam @Threading My Way

Sunday 15th of November 2015

Featured today, Vicky...

Clare

Tuesday 3rd of November 2015

Such a thoughtful present! Love the fabric you chose, I bet your childminder was so happy with it!

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