Cross Body Bag (reduced in size)

Hello everyone. I wanted to try making this Cross Body Bag again, but in a reduced size as it was quite large when I made it the original size. I only reduced it by 10%, but it was enough to make a difference. This is a pdf pattern from So Sew Easy, called Cross Body Bag. Not a very distinctive name, but it is worn across the body. 

When I made this bag the first time, I loved all the pockets it had: A slip and zipper pocket under the flap, a slip and zipper pocket on the back, a couple of slip pockets inside and a zipper pocket. That's 7 or more pockets, depending on if you divide the inside pockets, which I did for a pen pocket, giving me 8 pockets.

The original size of this bag is 10" wide, by 11 1/2" tall, by 2" deep. This reduced size is about 9" wide x 10 3/8" high x 1 3/4" deep.

Close up of the front. I love that pretty blue fabric with touches of aqua and purple.

The side of the bag. I added rivets and strap ends on the connector strap, along with a rectangle ring to connect the main strap.

The flap up reveals the snap closure and a cute label I add to all my bags (I started adding them in the past year).

Looking down into the bag, I have my large wallet, reader glasses, pen, keys and a couple of small things in the pocket.

The back of the bag here shows the zipper pocket and the slip pocket is behind it.

Looking down into the slip pocket on the outside of the bag, where my keys are, but it is a perfect place to hold a cell phone too.

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Pockets a Plenty Zipper Pouch

I finally made Pockets A Plenty zippered pouch (So Sew Easy pdf). I have had this pattern for a long time! It's a really nice zippered pouch and does have a few pockets (4 pockets), but it took much longer to sew than most zippered pouches. Of course the first time making something does take time, but the binding on the gussets (the fold over part sewn by hand) did add even more time to making this bag.

I think there are a few things I could eliminate to make it sew faster, but how would that look? Might have to try it one day. I could leave off the pink vertical pieces you see on the bag as those are purely decoration. And the back of the bag I could leave off the pink accent around the zipper, but it looks so nice. I could sew the sides on so that the raw edges are on the lining side instead of the outside (where I sewed binding over the raw edges) and zigzag stitch the raw edges instead of adding the binding, but would any of those changes save me that much time or make the bag look too different? 

It's just that the time it took to make this sweet little pouch is about the same amount of time I spend making a larger bag like a cross body bag and if I am selling bags, I can charge more for a cross body bag than a zippered pouch. I just don't think most people would pay a lot for a small zippered pouch, so why spend more time (and money) making this one, when I can make others this size and larger for less time and money? If I added a strap to this one, I could sell it for more than I could a zippered pouch. So it is doubtful I would make anymore of these unless I did add a cross body strap to one or if a client requested that I make one. So, I might keep this one or I might sell it, I am undecided right now. Meanwhile, I will put it on the shelf in my closet with the 100's of other bags of all kinds that I have made, waiting for the craft shows to happen again, so that I can sell it if I do decided to sell it. 

It is a very sweet zippered pouch and I love the fabrics I chose for this one.

Behind the horizontal pink band is a slip pocket.

The back has a zippered pocket.

It's a nice neat zippered pocket.

This is the slip pocket on the front.

Inside is a divided slip pocket and a zippered pocket.

The side gusset with the binding.

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Large Cross Body Bag with Matching Little Wallet

This is a pattern that I have had for years and never made, so I decided I would make it finally. It looked a lot smaller in the photos of the pattern. It's the Cross Body Bag by So Sew Easy. There is even a free video tutorial that you can watch if you don't want to follow the pdf instructions or prefer videos.

If you click on the link above, you will also see photos of the tester versions of this bag. You can use 2 fabrics or one for the exterior, which will give the bag a different look. I decided to use one fabric for this.

The bag closes with a magnetic snap under the flap, has an adjustable strap and has lots of pockets inside and out and I found the instructions to be excellent. I thought maybe next time reducing the bag just a bit by 10%-15% smaller, but I'll see.

The bag measures about 12 1/2" wide x 12 1/2" high x 2 5/8" deep. It would make a great day trip bag where you might need to carry several things with you.

Contact me if you would like to purchase this bag. This bag has SOLD. 

I can make a custom bag for you like this one in your choice of colors. Contact me if interested in having a custom bag like this or another style made for you.

The back of the bag features a zippered pocket with a slip pocket behind it. The strip of purple on the zippered pocket is a design element that I added. I didn't have a large enough width for the zippered pocket, so I pieced in that purple strip, which picks up the touches of purple in the fabric print. I think it adds a nice touch too.

I didn't sew the straps into the bag sides as per instructions, I preferred to add the strap connectors to the sides of the bag and rivet them in place. It gives a nicer look and adds bit of bling too.

Inside the bag is more pockets. The slip pocket I divided to hold a pen and the Little Wallet I tucked into the pocket next to the pen. Across from this is a zippered pocket with a slip pocket behind the zippered pocket. As you can also see I got creative with my lining and used 2 fabrics, a solid and a print in a pale purple/lavender color.

Under the flap on the front of the bag is a slip pocket with a curved center.

The slip pocket on the back of the bag behind the zippered pocket.

The bag with the matching wallet.

Inside the wallet are 3 sections. The first 2 hold cards and the last one at the back is the deepest and will hold folded cash or folded paper, etc.

Contact me if you would like to purchase a custom bag in your choice of colors. This exact bag has Sold. Thanks!

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Multi-Purpose Tech Bag

I made this Multi-Purpose Tech Bag a pattern by So Sew Easy. I didn't have a large grommet like the pattern called for, so I used a magnetic snap to close the bag. I used the cowboys on a fence fabric for the flap and back of the bag.

My tablet fits inside this bag easily.

I think the cowboy fabric is so cool.

The back of the bag. There is a zippered pocket on the back.

I used a magnetic snap as a closure.

The back zippered pocket.

Linking to Elm Street Quilts Bag It 2017
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Travel & Passport Wallet

I made this Travel & Passport Wallet, a pattern by So Sew Easy. I used Hot Air Balloon fabric because I put this in a little gift shop in Albuquerque to sell for the upcoming International Balloon  Fiesta (starting the 1st weekend in October each year). It sold right away! Yay!!! It was a fun pattern and a great way to use up small amounts of fabric for the inside pockets.

It folds in half and the red hair tie wraps around the handmade button to keep it closed.

Inside I used a variety of fabrics that coordinated with the hot air balloon fabric. I also printed out a couple of signs (one for tickets and one for passport) so that when someone looked at it they would know what it was for. This is a good wallet for a couple or family, as there are pockets on both sides for tickets and passports, plus cash can be slipped into either side under the pockets where the yellow striped binding is. The 2 lower smaller pockets can hold ID or credit cards. 

Here you can see it opened out to show the back and front exterior. I may make another one of these for someone I know who will be traveling next year, but I will use different fabrics.

I am participating in Elm StreetQuilts Bag it 2017 and added this to the entry.
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