Hello, friend! Are you ready to sew? Making your own purse is incredibly satisfying, and this crossbody bag is a perfect place to start. My pattern walks you through each step so you can create a bag that truly feels like you.
Be brave and stretch your sewing skills. Play with color, texture, and the embellishments, or keep the design clean and simple. This crossbody bag can suit your style!
Why I Love This Project
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a bag that works for real everyday life. Well, this one can be that! You can make this purse your everyday errand-running, close body, and travel bag. It keeps everything close, secure, and completely hands-free, which makes it a little superhero.
What I love most about this project is that you get to create a bag that fits your life. You choose the size, strap length, fabric, and details that matter to you. No settling for one that doesn’t fit your phone or one with a strap that never sits quite right.
Get ideas for how to wear a sling bag or crossbody here.
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Materials
Below is a list of bag-making supplies. You may not need every item, depending on the design you choose, so take a quick look at the customization section further down the page before shopping. Shoppable affiliate links are included.
Bag Fabric
Lining Fabric
Cording Fabric
Interfacing Pellon fusible fleece or HeatnBond
Cording optional
D-ring loops multi-pack
Zipper
Adjustable Purse Strap
Matching Thread
Sewing Straight Pins
Pencil
Paper Scissors
Fabric Sewing Scissors or my Rotary Cutter the best!
Snippers my favorite
Ruler
Sewing Machine
Cutting Board
Free Pattern
Bias Tape if you don’t line the purse
You will need approximately 1/3 yard of the purse fabric, 1/3 yard of the lining material, and 1/2 yard for making the black bias cording trim. The finished dimensions of my crossbody bag are approximately 10 x 10 inches. If you want a larger purse, allow for more fabric than stated above.
Check out my Baguette-Style Purse and purchase the Pattern here.
Pattern
This is where you get to be the designer. This crossbody bag is intentionally simple, so you can customize the size, shape, and details to fit your lifestyle and what you actually carry day to day.
The pattern includes the outer bag piece, lining pieces, strap loop for D-rings, and tabs that cover the ends of the zipper.
Make this purse the way you want it; it fits your wallet, phone, keys, lipstick, or anything else you want to carry with you.
You can easily adjust the size and shape of your bag based on your preferences. I recommend sketching your design on paper first to help determine how much fabric to purchase.
Variations
These optional additions let you tailor your crossbody purse to your style, skill level, and how you plan to use it.
Bias Cording (Piping)
Cording adds a more structured, tailored look to your purse. You can make your own or purchase it at most fabric stores.
If you add piping, you will need one additional pattern piece. To make your own cording, refer to this piping yardage tutorial.
Zipper
If you choose to add a zipper, a closed-end zipper with hard plastic components works best for this purse style.
If you prefer an open-top bag or are a beginner sewist not ready to tackle a zipper, simply skip this step, topstitch the upper edge of the bag, and add a snap or magnetic closure instead.
D-Rings
D-rings are hardware connectors on the sides of your purse that let you clip on a strap. They are available in a variety of finishes, sizes, and styles to coordinate with your strap hardware. I used the Dritz brand.
Lining
Adding a lining to your bag can make it sturdier and protect the exterior fabric from the contents. It’s also a great way to add a bit of personality with contrasting or complementary fabrics, fun colors, or patterns.
Interfacing
If you want a slouchier look or if your fabric is thick and already has enough integrity on its own, you may want to skip this step. My fabric is medium-weight. Pellon Fusible Fleece Interfacing gave it more rigidity, plus a nice softness and cushion.
Embellishments
There are so many amazing appliques, trims, and tapes to decorate your bag. Check your local fabric store or Amazon for ideas. If you are in the Twin Cities, don’t miss SR Harris for a variety of fun trims and patches.
Instructions
Follow these steps to make your bag.
Purse
1 Prewash your fabric to remove chemicals and help prevent any shrinkage in future washings that would compromise the look and lay of the bag. Cut out all fabric and interfacing pieces. On the outer purse fabric pieces, fold the top seam allowance to the wrong side and press.
2 Repeat this next step with the lining fabric, folding the top seam allowance to the wrong side and pressing.
3 Using an iron, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of both outer purse pieces, leaving the top seam allowance free of interfacing.
4 Using a small strip of purse fabric, create a simple cover for the bottom of the zipper to conceal the gap beneath the zipper closure.
To create the cover, iron both long edges of the strip inward toward the center, leaving a small margin between them. Press. For exact sizing, refer to the width of your zipper.
Fold the strip in half and press. Encase the bottom end of the zipper, pin, and stitch horizontally to secure.
Zipper and D-Rings
5 Sew the lining fabric to the underside of the zipper. (The zipper pull should be on the opposite side.)
6 Place the zipper with the pull and teeth of the zipper facing up, then sew the outer purse fabric to the top side of the zipper. (You can use a zipper foot if desired)
Details
7 If using D-rings, create a small fabric strip to attach the D-ring to the purse. Size the strip to fit your D-rings. Fold one long edge inward, then fold the other edge inward, folding once and then again to enclose the raw edges. Press. Be careful not to make the strip too thick or bulky. You do not need to stitch this strip (I didn’t).
8 If adding cording, pin it and the D-ring loop to one side of the purse body along the two side edges and the bottom edge. Baste close to the edge to secure.
It may be easier to baste the cording first, then baste the D-ring loop. Stitch in place.
9 Open the zipper completely. (This allows you to turn the purse right side out later.)
Align the purse outer fabric pieces right sides together and pin. Then, align the lining fabric pieces right sides together and pin.
Stitch around the outer edge of the purse using your chosen seam allowance, leaving a 3 to 4 inch opening in the lining for turning. See note below.
I recommend placing the turning opening at the bottom of the lining. I put mine on the side, and it felt crowded.
10 Trim the interfacing close to the seam within the seam allowance, then trim the seam allowances down. This reduces bulk and helps create a smooth finish on the outside of the bag.
Finishing
11 Clip curves by cutting small V-shaped notches along all curved areas. Be careful not to cut into the stitching.
12 Turn the purse right side out through the lining opening. Gently push out the curved corners.
13 Press well. Use a pressing cloth if needed. Smooth curves and edges while steaming out wrinkles.
14 Close the lining opening using a hand stitch or machine stitch. Add adjustable straps to complete your look. (I just love this trend!) Fun straps are readily available and can easily change up your outfit and look. I purchased a couple of them on Amazon. See these ideas. (Affiliate links) Crossbody purse straps, adjustable long strap, and wide straps.
You could also sew your strap out of your purse material or another contrasting fabric.
FAQs
Medium-weight cotton, canvas, linen blends, and home decor fabrics work best for crossbody bags. Use interfacing to add more structure to lighter fabrics.
Interfacing is optional and depends on your fabric and the desired padding and weight. Use interfacing for a more structured bag or skip it for a softer, slouchier look.
A closed-end zipper with plastic components works best for purses. Zippers are optional and can be skipped for an open-top bag.
Yes, you can customize the bag’s size. Adjust the pattern dimensions based on the items you plan to carry and allow extra fabric as needed.
Tips & Tricks
A few small tools and materials can make a big difference in the final look of your bag!
Microtex Needles
These needles are extremely sharp and ideal for sewing through multiple layers of fabric. Their fine point glides easily through dense or tightly woven fabrics. Schmetz Microtex needles fit most standard sewing machines and are a reliable, high-quality option.
Fusible Fleece Interfacing
Interfacing adds softness, structure, and stability to your purse. It fuses directly to the fabric, eliminating the need for pinning or basting. I recommend interfacing such as Pellon fusible fleece or HeatnBond for this project. Be sure to choose based on the weight of your fabric and desired outcome.
More Sewing Projects
Discover more DIY clothing and accessories styles and patterns in these posts. They include beginner-friendly sewing projects, too!
Halter Top Sewing Patterns
Hooded Cape DIY
Easy Summer Dress Patterns
Halter Dress Patterns
Tie Front Blouse Pattern
Crossbody Baguette Style Purse
DIY Child or Adult Apron, free sewing pattern
Pattern Ideas for Skirt Sets
Please comment below with any questions or on how your crossbody bag pattern turns out. I’d love to hear from you! Be sure to subscribe or follow me on social media for more inspiration!
Happy Sewing!
xo,
Cindy
Did you make a crossbody bag?
I would love to hear all about it! Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!
Thank you!
About Bloom
Cindy Munson is a lifelong sewer, pattern designer, and former graphic design studio owner. She shares approachable, stylish sewing projects through her blog, Be Brave and Bloom. Her mission is to help others discover the joy of making and live a more creative life. Cindy works from her sunny sewing studio in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband of over 30 years.
Hi
How do you download this pattern?
Can I ask where you got your fabric for both pieces?
Hi Renee! I bought both fabrics for the camo purse at JoAnn Fabrics store. It was over a year ago but I believe I’ve seen the camouflage print there recently still. Hope that helps! ☺️