I have really been enjoying this project! My inspiration was the Sallie Tomato Zippy Crossbody Bag. I started it last post here and finished it just this week.
There weren’t many details to finish it off. Let me show you how I did it …
I sewed in my D-rings for my strap between my two bag pouches. I thought having my D-rings close and snug would be a better look. Later I found out that patterns call for the D-ring tabs to be 1 to 1 1/2 inches clear to make it easier to finish off the bag opening – oops! Live and Learn!
I sewed in my zippers, squeezing my presser foot in between my zipper teeth and the D-ring. There wasn’t much room to spare, but I made it. Next time I’ll make the D-ring tabs longer so there is more room!
Not bad! I’m happy I found metal zippers with a cute zipper pull.
Zippers and D-rings look fine. I pinned in the bag linings so I could hand sew them in. I wasn’t going to run my presser foot in that narrow space again, possibly making a mess of my stitching.
Next, the bag strap. Of course, I couldn’t find a long enough piece in my remnant, so I joined two lengths together, just like joining bias tape.
I pressed a centre fold in my strap, and pressed the two long edges into the centre fold. After sewing on the Thermolam, I refolded the strap, pressed it and topstitched it along both edges. Notice the 1 inch at the end without Thermolam? I was told it helps with attaching the strap neatly. We shall see …
Strap finished and run through the slider. I pressed under the end where the Thermolan stops and also at the end of the strap.
Straps attached to the D-rings. Linings were hand sewn in. I noticed a long thread hanging off one of the straps that had to be knotted and cut and then checked the whole bag for more threads.
What can I say? I have to have the perfect Zippered Crossbody bag! Thanks for the inspiration Sallie Tomato! I think next time I’ll follow your pattern more and see how a one pouch bag works for me!
But in the meantime, I have a couple of dresses to sew – gotta use up that stash! What are you planning on sewing next?
Happy Sewing!
STASHBUSTING WITH THIS PROJECT? None, sewn with remnants, so still 145 meters remaining! Lots of remnants gone though!
What a cute bag! It looks great, and fun to intersperse garment sewing with accessories. Right now I’m sewing a dress for me, a dress for my daughter, and a pair of sweatpants – all at different stages of progress 😂 (it’s not really “multitasking”, it’s to do all the parts I can before changing the thread in my overlocker!)
Thank you! Haha I’ve done that before. It’s the same as doing all the red thread sewing first! The other really confusing trick is when making two hoodies for kids at the same time and sewing them assembly line style – pockets on both, zippers on both, or whatever, until they are finished at the same time! Have fun!
So true!! 😉
Wow! Nicely done Linda. I’m looking forward to seeing you swan around town in this little beauty. 🙂
Thank you Susan! We will need some sunshine to go with my new bag though!
What a great looking bag. I’ve never heard of thermaloam — I gather it’s an iron on thickener? If you don’t mind another question — is it standard procedure to insert the lining after the zip has been installed? Last week I bought a worn out old bag at a thrift store because I noticed the great leather handles on it — a short pair and a long lengthenable one. I’ve been looking at such things since I read one of your posts in which you talked about how much hardware can be salvaged from old handbags.
Thanks! The brand I bought was Pelion TP971F Fusible Thermolam® it is a fusible fleece – a thickener. I think next time I might just buy the sew in Thermolam, since sometimes it doesn’t stick – it might be my iron. I had trouble with the amount of space there was for my presser foot so it was easier to hand sew my lining in covering my zipper edges. The last few bags I have made I sewed the zipper in and then the outer layer and the lining together and turned them through the opening I left for that purpose. I have blogged about a few before. I’m happy you found some straps you could repurpose, no point in there being any waste in the world!
Beautiful work, Linda! 👍 💐 👍
Am boggled at the intricacies – definitely not my idea of a fun project.
Thank you! I think my sister said the same thing – too complicated. Now for me, knitting boggles my mind!
Great bag – and how nice to be able to make one to perfectly suit your needs 😃
Thank you! Haha “suiting my needs” is always so difficult. I am so flighty! 😂
I love your bag. Just wondering, does the single pouch bag have hidden zipper pockets inside. I always need an inside pocket or two for my change and my keys.
Thanks! I didn’t get that far into her pattern to find out. I started with the pattern and then went off on my own! I seem to recall it does. If it doesn’t, it would be very, very easy to add an inside zippered pocket to it!
What an absolutely gorgeous bag. I have to concur with the above comments. I think this looks way too complicated, although the outcome is gorgeous and I bet that this would be a great stash buster. I have just finished a top and am half-way through a skirt I cut out last year. I am trying to get rid of some my stash before I buy some more. It is hard, there is always nice new things. Xx
It is a great stash buster. Although I find now I am saving the smaller remnants, not throwing them out. I feel the stash getting bigger! There are so many nice new things to buy – the manufacturers and advertisers must set it up like that! Good luck with your sewing!