Serendipity Hip Cross Body Bag (Updated PDF from ChrisW Designs)

Christine of ChrisW Designs (CWD) has updated the Serendipity Hip bag and wrote a whole new pdf and video too! I tested the first Serendipity Hip bag for Christine many years ago and had made several of them too. I tested the new updated version and can tell you it looks about the same, but has some updated ways it is sewn and a few changes making this bag easy to sew. It is a very popular pattern for CWD, so updating it was great!

The pdf pattern is on sale too and no code is needed. If you did purchase the original pdf pattern, you will receive this updated pdf version for free! 

Here is what Christine says about the new update Serendipity Hip:

Updates include a new top zipper installation method, better front zipper pocket construction, increased phone pocket size, optional Kam Snap to close the front pocket assembly, and the Strap Tabs have been relocated. The card pocket assembly has also been updated. If you have previously bought this pattern, you can receive the new version FREE! If it is a recent purchase, the files in your account will have updated. Alternatively, it may be in your old account HERE. If it is in neither account or has been purchased on Etsy or a different venue, please email me with your proof of purchase and I will email you the new files".

Even after I tested this, Christine made a few changes from feedback from some of the testers, so my bag has the strap connectors placed one on the front and one on the back, whereas they are both on the back now. You can watch the trailer video of Chris showing the Serendipity Hip and explaining the features and showing all the tester versions on her link at the end of Christine's page where you buy the pdf and read about the pattern here.

The finished bag measures approximately 8" wide x 10" high x 1 3/4" deep.

I used cotton fabric for my test bag. I love that print fabric and only had a small amount left, so I used it along with a purple Grunge accent fabric. I used the Grunge fabric above the zipper pocket too, whereas you can use the main fabric there if you desire.

Side view showing the bag depth.

Back side.

Looking down into the slip pocket and the phone pocket behind the zipper pocket on the front.

Inside has 4 card pockets and each pocket can hold a couple of cards if you want.

Empty card pockets.

A zipper pocket is located across from the card pockets.

Front zipper pocket.

The bag has a curved zipper main closure to keep contents secure.

The bottom view.

So there you have it. This is a popular style and size bag for carrying a few essentials. It can be made in all fabric like I did or in vinyl or cork or maybe just an accent bottom in vinyl or cork. So many combinations to choose from. Please do watch the video trailer to see how fabric choices from all us testers do make this sweet bag look so very different.

Pin It Now!

Serendipity Hip Cross Body Bag in Paris Print & Black Faux Cork

This was a custom order I recently finished. At the craft show I did last week another crafter saw my purses & bags and liked the Paris fabric print on one bag, but wanted a different bag made. She wanted a snap closure and saw a bag I made with a flap that had a magnetic closure and wanted that. She like the style of the Serendipity Hip bag, but just wanted quicker access without a zipper closure. Everyone is different and that is why I prefer to do custom orders so the customer can choose the things they prefer to have. 

A lot of people prefer zipper closures. I like both snaps and zippers myself, but I prefer zippers that sit one top of the bag and are not recessed. I find recessed zippers harder to access and harder to see what is inside the bag, but some people love them, so it's great there is something for everyone. I also like snap closures with or without a flap. How about you? Do you have a preference on a bag closure?

I think this bag turned out great! I love this fabric combination together. There is something about Paris print fabric I just love. I think I love that most Paris fabric I have seen has written text on it and the word Paris or France or both on it and is usually in a collage style of some kind and of course the Eiffel Tower, which is a fabulous structure too. All those things are what I like, so maybe that is why I am drawn to Paris print fabric. I think I would love other cities too if they printed fabric in a similar way.

An Eiffel Tower charm on the zipper pull I made for this bag.

Inside the bag I added a zipper pocket and a slip pocket. 

The bag of the bag.

Instead of adding credit card pockets inside the purse, I prefer adding a little wallet instead, because making it removeable is better in my opinion.

There are 3 card pockets and the back pocket is deeper to allow for cash folded in half. Each pocket can hold more than one card too.

The matching set.

Above the exterior zipper pocket is a pocket with a separate phone pocket.

The exterior zipper pocket, opened.

The Eiffel Tower zipper pull and side view.

Inside view of the 2 pockets with the little wallet in the slip pocket.

Another look at the phone pocket from the wearer's perspective.

This bag is a great style bag packed with great features, whether it closes with a zipper or a flap with a snap or a snap alone, it is a great size for most women who don't want to carry a ton of stuff. It is also great with a curved top or a straight across top. I have made many modifications to this great bag pattern by ChrisW Designs on this one and a lot of past makes of Serendipity Hip bags too.

Let me know if you would like me to make you a custom Serendipity Hip Cross Body bag and what modifications, if any, that you would like. You can search in the search box located on the right side by typing in Serendipity Hip to see all the past bags in this style that I have made. They sure can look different depending on the fabric chosen.

Pin It Now!

Serendipity Hip Enlarged in Hot Air Balloon Fabric

I have wanted to make an enlarged Serendipity Hip for quite a while and finally decided to just do it. I made the top of the bag straight across, rather than curved too. I like this larger version because it still has all the great features of the regular Serendipity Hip, only bigger. This is a pattern from ChrisW Designs.

This enlarged version measures approximately 10" wide x 12 1/2" high x 2" deep. (The original size is 8" wide x 10" high x 1 3/4" deep).

The bag has a zippered closure and there is a zippered front pocket too which is handy for quick access. 

I made a zipper pull with beads and a hot air balloon charm too. Did you notice the charm and the balloon in pink behind it are the same pattern?

Back of the bag.

Inside the bag another zippered pocket and a credit card/cash pocket.

The credit card pocket will hold a couple of cards and behind it is a deeper pocket that will hold cash folded in half. So if you don't want to carry a separate wallet, you will have more room for other items in this bag.

Above the front zippered pocket is a hidden slip pocket with a phone pocket. So handy and convenient for quickly grabbing your phone.

Inside the front zippered pocket.

Here you see the zippered closure and the hidden pocket above the front zippered pocket.

This bag would be a huge hit at a balloon festival. Sadly, our International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque was cancelled for this October, but hopefully the balloons will be flying high again next year at the Fiesta!

This one of a kind bag is now listed for sale in my Etsy Shop. Get it before it's gone.
Pin It Now!

Serendipity Hip Bag in Triangle Print Fabric

I made this Serendipity Hip Bag (a ChrisW Design bag) last year. I have been making them with a straight across top instead of the curved top because it seems that most of the people who buy this style bag, prefer the straight top. I have had this fabric for so long, that I just had to use it in a bag and Serendipity Hip seemed the best bag for this print.

There is a zippered closure, zippered front pocket, and a hidden cell phone pocket behind the zippered pocket.

A zippered pocket in the front.

Back of bag.

Inside is a zippered pocket and credit card pockets with a cash pocket behind it.

Pin It Now!

Serendipity Hip Bag in Hot Air Balloon Print Fabric

The first weekend in October is the start of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, (that runs for 9 days), so I love to make some purses and other bags with hot air balloon fabric. This is the Serendipity Hip (ChrisW Designs) with a straight top. It seems I sell the straight top versions better than the curved top Serendipity Hip, so that is why I make them like this. I love both looks.

The Serendipity Hip is a great little bag loaded with pockets galore and has a zipper closure to keep it all secure.

You can see the zippered pocket here, but right above this is a slip pocket with a phone pocket for easy access.

Side view shows depth of bag.

I only use these hot air balloon charms when I make a bag with hot air balloon fabric. 

The back of the bag.

This is looking down into the slip pocket with the phone pocket.

Inside the bag is another zippered pocket.

And some credit card and cash pocket too, so you don't even need a separate wallet!

I will be taking this bag to a craft show I am doing in October.
Update: This bag just sold.
Pin It Now!