Crossbody Drawstring Project Bag
Exciting news! A new pattern has arrived and this time it's for a bigger bag.
This is the Crossbody Drawstring Project Bag and the first thing I'll say about it is if you are on my email list and have made the Tiny Bins, this box bottom bag is made using the same basic idea. There is just one seam up the back, which is super efficient and for me, my box bottom corners have never been better and easier to sew!
Before I get to more details about making this bag, I also wanted to tell you this pattern is also available in a bundle with 19 other bag patterns.
Sew Modern Bags put together the collection and if you like a lot of variety and love to sew bags, the bundle is a great choice because there are so many patterns included at a great price.
There are smaller bags, bigger bags, one of those clever zipper pouches for pens where the top pulls down, clutches, a wallet that looks very nice and has loads of card slips, and more.
Take a look here to see all the patterns included in the bundle.
There are just a few things I wanted to point out with my new pattern.
One is the super nice drawstring casing has a little strip of fabric up the middle. The bow needs a little space in order to tie nicely and I wanted to point out this piece for fussy cutting and print selection.
You can see this piece in the photo below. Also make note that this area with the bow and under it is considered the "bottom" of the casing. This is important for directional fabrics and for when you attach the casing to the exterior body fabric (more about that below).
The second is the drawstring casing is the most involved part of the bag and there are a couple places where things can go wrong. So don't do these things:
- Do not skip the backstitching to create the drawstring openings (step 5.c)
- Do not forget to remove the stitches for the drawstring opening (step 5.g) when it's time.
- Do not sew the wrong edge of the casing to the top of the exterior bag (step 5.j). The "bottom" of the casing is the side with drawstring opening. The thing is the opening is just off center and it's not easy to see, so you might want to mark the bottom of the casing so it's clear which end is the bottom.
In the photo below I made mistake #3 and I'm unpicking the casing because I've attached the top instead of the bottom. The pin in the lower left of the image is now marking the bottom side of the casing so I don't do it again.
Ooops...wrong end!
The third thing is pay attention to directional prints--especially for the casing and front pocket. The cutting notes on page 2 of the pattern mentions where the print needs to be placed.
Front Pocket with 10" Knitting Needles
The fourth thing is in this pattern the main body pieces and both pockets are made from one piece of fabric each. This is quick and efficient and for the front pocket, the one piece construction turns out a really nicely square pocket. The corners of the pocket above would not be nearly as squared off as they are if it were made from two pieces of fabric.
And finally, this a measure and cut pattern. Some of my others with larger square/rectangular pieces have some measure and cut elements, but this one is the first where it's all measure and cut.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this new pattern. The bag turns out awesome.
Please let me know if you have any questions by getting in touch somewhere, or leaving a comment.
P.S. Don't forget to check out the bundle!
