Swiftly Tote a ChrisW Design Pattern in 3 Sizes: Small-Large-Mini

I tested the Swiftly Tote, a pdf pattern by Chris W Designs that comes in 3 sizes. I tested the small size, which I would say is more of a medium size than a small size. It is smaller than the large size though. The small makes a perfect handbag/crossbody bag too. I added the removeable adjustable crossbody strap so it could be worn as a crossbody bag, which is so handy. It has handles too and I made mine short as a grab handle because I wouldn't carry this on one shoulder, but if you make one, you can make your handles the longer size as in the pattern for wearing on one shoulder. 

Christine's signature phone pocket is a wonderful hidden pocket and you can choose to add one on the front and one on the back for 2 hidden pockets, or just add one where you want it. I added one on each side as I love the convivence of these pockets. I use them for keys.

Inside is a zipper pocket with an overlay. I used vinyl for the overlay, but you can use cork or any non fraying material you want to use.

The pattern calls for using vinyl, cork and waterproof canvas for the lining so that this bag is a quicker sew, since you wouldn't need any interfacing. I chose to use vinyl only as an accent for the base of the bag and the overlay zipper pocket inside the bag. I used quilting cottons and added interfacing and fleece stabilizer. You can make this bag any way you prefer and my preference is quilting cottons as they colors are so pretty and I have quilting cotton and I prefer to use vinyl or cork as accents rather than as a whole bag. That is what is great about making a bag is you can custom make it with whatever materials you want and add or subtract pockets or other extras.

The bag closes with a top zipper closure, my favorite zipper closure!!! I don't like recessed zippers as it is harder to access and see inside the bag, but this top zipper opens wide as you can see in the interior photos below. Why fight trying to find things in a bag? Now you don't have to. I added an additional divided slip pocket inside too. I wanted a simple slip pocket with a pen division in the center. You could use Christine's Pocket Supplement A pattern to add extra pockets to your bag too, especially if you make the larger version of the Swiftly Tote.

This bag is quick to make and you can cut most of the pieces out with a rotary cutter or there are SVG files included too for those who have cutting machines that make it easier to cut out your pieces. The pdf also comes with templates for all the pieces too, if you prefer cutting that way. Something for everyone. And there is video instructions as well as the pdf, so you can follow along  and sew with Christine. Rated for a Confidant Beginner Sewer/Sewist.

Here is my Swiftly Tote in size Small. The small measures 14 1/4" wide x 9 1/2" high x 3 1/2" deep.

(The large, which I didn't make, measures 17" wide x 11 1/2" high x 4 1/2" deep).

I used cotton webbing for the grab handles and made my adjustable strap that is removeable from the main fabric. The turquoise fabric is a hand dyed fabric that I dyed years ago and was the perfect color accent and even matches the vinyl I used for the base and overlay.

Isn't she pretty? I used a turquoise zipper closure.

Vinyl base to tote.

Added divided pocket with pen pocket in center.

Vinyl zipper overlay pocket.

See how wide the bag opens up to see inside. Zipper overlay pocket and I added a divided slip pocket too with a pen in the center.

Hidden phone pocket on the front side.

2nd hidden phone pocket on the back side of the Swiftly Tote.

But wait there's more! After I tested the small, Christine asked if anyone wanted to test a Mini version and I gladly accepted. The Swiftly Mini is the perfect size for a crossbody bag. I made mine without the grab handles and just made a crossbody version with an adjustable strap. I added one strap tab with a hardware ring to the front and one to the back and added the strap after the bag was complete. I only added one hidden pocket on the back side (it's too small for a phone like in the small & large versions, but great for keys or a shopping list), an inside zipper pocket with a vinyl overlay, and a simple slip pocket with pen division inside too. 

The Swiftly Mini measures 11" wide x 8" high x 3" deep.

One strap tab on the front with ring hardware & one on the back to create a crossbody version.

Back side with the hidden pocket.

Bag opens so size and wide. Slip pocket with a pen pocket division.

Zipper pocket with a vinyl overlay. This vinyl is cool and looks like tan denim jeans.

Side view.

I used fabric that matched the crossbody strap I made for the base here.

Crossbody over an outdoor chair. Wish I had a way of photographing on me or someone else, but alas I don't. I took this one out to buy groceries on Monday and I love the size! It's perfect size for me. I love the top zipper closure so I can easily zip and unzip and see what's inside. 

Want to make one or all 3 sizes of the Swiftly Tote? Be sure to grab your pattern now while the pattern is on sale as a new release. Go here to purchase the pdf and to see all the testers versions and sizes, go here for the photos and the video introduction too. This bag looks so different in different colors and materials used. Christine even put the Pocket Supplement A on sale too, which can be used in the small and large Swiftly versions as well as other bag patterns that are about the same size too. The Intro pricing is for a short time only, so grab your pattern soon. Video Intro here, with tester photos too.

Happy bag sewing!

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Boxed Bliss Bag~ pdf Pattern by ChrisW Designs

The Boxed Bliss bag is ChrisW Designs newest bag and it is loaded with some fabulous features! It is the most structured bag I have made, so no flopping on this bag. You can choose from a few stabilizers to use. For mine, I chose double fusible interfacing with added fusible fleece, plus the addition of a firmer stabilizer on the base and at the sides. The cording/piping at the sides further adds and enhances the stability of this bag.

Christine is a master at coming up with so many ingenious ways to sew what looks like a simple looking bag. From her signature phone pocket, to the zipper overlay pockets with added credit card and note card pockets, pleated pockets and the way she has you close the bottom of the bag without turning it, will blow you away! Eleven years of testing bags for Christine and I am still learning new things.

The pocket instructions can certainly be applied to other bags you make too, so it's almost like getting 2 patterns in one. While this doesn't look difficult, there are a few places that are more advanced so it is not a beginner pattern. However, there is also video instructions as well as the pdf pattern, so that is really helpful. As a tester, I didn't have the luxury of watching the video, since she needed to record it and make corrections after I had made the bag. But if I make another one, I will watch the video.

The Boxed Bliss measures 10" wide x 9" high x 5" deep. The pattern is on sale now! Grab yours one sale for a limited time only. 

Check out the video intro here, that also shows the tester photos and the full video is located farther down on the same page on YouTube.

Boxed Bliss Bag is a handbag with structure and loaded with interior pockets! You can add optional strap tabs at the side and clip on a cross body strap too. I opted to just have the carry handles that are rolled for easier on your hands holding.

Side view with piping  and stabilizer for added structure.

Vinyl base has bag feet to keep the bottom cleaner when placing it down.

Zipper closure has a long zipper so when you unzip it the bag is fully open making it easier to access your belongings.

Hidden phone pocket behind the recess zipper closure allows quick access to your phone.

Pleated slip pockets, internal pocket behind and the zipper overlay pockets with credit card pockets and note pocket. You can choose to add fewer pockets if you desire.

Vinyl overlay with credit card pockets, note pocket and 2 zipper pockets. Like an attached wallet if you don't want to carry a wallet. You can make a single zipper pocket if you prefer here instead, especially if you prefer carrying a separate wallet.

Pleated pocket, slip pocket with a large internal pocket behind (that I added rickrack around). If you rather carry a wallet instead of making the vinyl overlay with the pockets, a wallet would fit in the internal pocket.

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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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The Quick No Zip Cross Body Bag

Another great bag pattern from ChrisW Designs, called The Quick No Zip Cross Body Bag. And the pattern is ON SALE!!! Free video tutorial too!

This bag measures 5 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" H x 1 1/2" deep.

I made mine artsy using batik scraps, hand dyed fabric, quilting and yarn couching, plus some buttons and crystals for bling.

20% off NO CODE NEEDED for ONE week - Ends Midnight Thursday 29th June 2023 AUSTRALIAN Eastern Standard Time.

The bag includes a key pocket on the front of the bag under the flap.

You can see the size of the bag here one me. It's small, but has room for the essentials.

Close up of my artsy flap, quilted, buttons, couched yarn.

I used the batik quilted piece to create the inside card pocket, which will hold a few cards. It's hard to see in the photos, but the pocket has a nice shape curved higher on one side.

The instructions call for an adjustable strap, but I didn't have the small size slider, so I made a fixed strap instead, and lots of rivets.

The key pocket under the flap on the front.

Back of bag has Christine's signature phone pocket for quick and easy access. You can see the quilting I did on the hand dyed fabric here too.

Check out all these videos and the tester bags to get ideas of fabrics to use. They all made some great Quick No Zip Bags using a variety of materials too. Grab the pattern while it is on sale! It is quick to sew (as long as you don't make an artsy quilted one like I did, lol)!!!

The Video Trailer:

https://youtu.be/0Xa5gCGporg

The Video Tutorial:

https://youtu.be/uzaySYL6fME

The Tester Blog Post:

https://www.chriswdesigns.com/.../introducing-the-quick...

International Shop:

https://www.chriswdesigns.com/.../the-quick-no-zip...

Aussie Shop:

https://chriswdesigns.com.au/.../the-quick-no-zip.../

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