So you might have already noticed my post yesterday announcing the pattern for the Cross-Body Bags is ready. It was pretty brief, so I'm writing a bit more here.
For the larger one in the photo above I used one of these eyelets and a strap as the closure. Instructions for the eyelet aren't included in the pattern, but can be found right here. The strap for the closure I added at the very end, and just sewed it directly to the back of the bag. A VELCRO tab holds it down at the back of the bag.
I also made this bag with the two ties on the front (in the pattern there is one on each side) and a loop. At first I thought this would be the best closure, but it is easier harder to tie and while the loop does hold it in place, a hard tug will pull it through.
I used ties for something a little different, and also since these are small bags it is nice to be able to use all of the interior space. Adding a snap will work just fine too, but will take away a few inches of space at the top. Another option would be a fabric (or elastic) loop and button.
Both bags have two pockets--one exterior & one interior:
If you are feeling ambitious, you could add two additional pockets on the panels without them. You can also make the back of the pocket (pocket lining) in the lining fabric like in this one:
The strap is two pieces sewn together, which doesn't necessarily use less fabric, but you can make the bag with a smaller cut of fabric. Instead of needing 1.5 yards of fabric you only need a 1/2 or 3/4 yard cut. But if you do have 1.5 yards of your strap fabric, go ahead and cut it on the straight grain--it will be faster.
The strap is also really nice with o-rings:
For this bag and the larger one in the photo at the top, I used two 1" o-rings. They add some weight so the bag feels more substantial and they also help keep the strap straight.
And finally here is the one of the first of these bags:
This one has the same front pocket, but the bottom is like the Strap Clutch. If you have made the Strap Clutch you could easily make this bag with that style bottom. Just make the bottom corners come to points rather than the curves they have now. The bottom pieces wouldn't be square, but more of a flat top pyramid shape.