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.

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Slip & Zip Wallet (Size Small)

Christine of ChrisW Designs has created the Slip & Zip Wallets, which are 3 sizes of raw edge wallet patterns (all with free video instructions). I tested just this small wallet, but the medium and large wallets are great too! Each are different, but with similar features. You can read all about these wallets and their features here. Plus, if you purchase the Wallet Bundle to get all 3 wallet patterns, you get a discount. The bundle is 15% off the normal price of the three patterns PLUS during the intro promotions, there is an extra 5% off using the code: introslipzip. Hurry if you want to save. The individual patterns will be available separately for sale after April 10, but they won't be on sale.

Here is my small version, which measures 11cm (4 3/8”) W X 10cm (4”) H X 1.2cm (½”) D.

Closes with a snap.

I thought this vinyl was pretty with the embossed butterflies, dragonflies and flowers. There is a partial dragonfly that you can see in the upper right and left corners. A zipper coin pocket with a welt on the left so that it opens up enough to retrieve your coins.

6 card pockets plus an ID window pocket. Can be made without the clear window too. I think my vinyl or glue or both didn't adhere properly in the center? I know I am not as experienced as the other testers with using vinyl, so not sure what happened, but I am using this wallet and only I can see it and it doesn't bother me.

Filled with cards. At the top is a pocket for cash.

Clear print ID pocket window.

Check out all the links below:

International Website:

https://www.chriswdesigns.com/.../slip-zip-wallet-pdf...

Aussie Website:

https://chriswdesigns.com.au/.../slip-zip-wallet-pdf.../

Blog Post: (with tester photos)

https://www.chriswdesigns.com/.../the-slip-zip-wallet...

Introductory Video with tester photos: https://youtu.be/SBaLXadWgGY

Small Slip & Zip Video Tutorial:

https://youtu.be/W7IltTzXSZg

Medium Slip & Zip Video Tutorial:

https://youtu.be/q45PfE5MdqU

Large Slip & Zip Video Tutorial:

https://youtu.be/gftE8xeaOrg

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Genevieve Bag in Batik Fabrics

Genevieve is back now with updated sewing methods and FREE video tutorials too! I tested the updated version of Genevieve recently for Christine of ChrisW Designs and so glad that I did! I missed testing Genevieve the first time around when Christine first designed this bag (must have been busy with something else), so this time Christine added her magic to update Genevieve.

For one week you can grab the pdf pattern on sale for 20% off (no code needed)! 

You can choose the plain flap or the piped flap. While I chose to make the "plain" flap, my Genevieve is anything but plain, lol! She is a cross body bag with a gusset, an adjustable strap, phone pocket, front pocket, inside zipper pocket, inside slip pockets and pen pocket. I got creative with the flap and made it by piecing scraps of batik fabrics, then quilting it and adding buttons, a handmade label and some crystal embellishments too. Isn't she pretty?

I decided to go even scrappier by making the front and back of the bag out of 2 different batik prints and colors. The front pocket is another color and batik print. The gusset another batik print and the strap is a combination of the fabric used for the front, back and gusset sewn together to create the strap. I did use all one green print for the lining though.

You can make Genevieve with a plain flap (like this one and yes I know the way I made this flap is not really plain), or the other flap choice is adding piping to the flap and other areas of the bag.  

I had such fun creating this one-of-a-kind Genevieve. So here is my version of Genevieve:

Isn't she gorgeous? I just love batik fabrics!

I added lots of bling to the flap. Besides quilting the flap in a variegated thread,

 I added a Handmade Label, round buttons, a butterfly button, and crystals.

This is the back side of the bag and I used this pretty batik for the back.

The side of the bag showing the gusset batik print. I topstitched around the gusset, which isn't called for in the pattern, but I think it not only looks nicer, but adds some strength to the gusset too.

This is the bottom of the bag and it is quilted on the bottom of the gusset.

Lift the flap and you see the front slip pocket in a hot pink batik. You can see the flap stays closed with the magnetic snap.

Peeking inside the front slip pocket is a slip phone pocket too. My pen is holding this pocket open so I can take a photo of it.

Here you can see the phone pocket inside the front slip pocket too. I added some rivets on the upper corners of the phone pocket.

The lining is a green batik fabric that has 2 large slip pockets divided in the center with a pen pocket. I also added some rivets in the corners of the pen pocket.

On the opposite side of the lining from the slip pocket is a large zipper pocket.

Another closer look at the flap.

Back of the bag with the flap pulled straight up.

Genevieve measures 14" wide x 11" high x 3" deep. She is a large girl, but not too large. She is great for when you need to carry more than just a few items. She would be great to take on vacation when you need more space to put things.

Pdf is on sale at 20% off this week only, with free video tutorials too. Watch the video and grab the pattern on sale. Or grab the pattern now and then watch the video. It's so easy to sew along with Christine and it's like she is your sewing buddy as you make this bag.

Happy bag sewing! 

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