How To Make An Easy Sew Cross Body Bag

If you could use a cool tote bag then I have just the project for you. This Easy Sew Cross Body Bag is a pretty fun sewing project for skilled or beginner sewers to make. This cute little tote bag is good for adults as a shoulder bag or kids as a cross body bag. Kids can use it to carry books, toys, or anything they need to carry with them. It would also be a great bag to use for going on a scavenger hunt. As an adult, I love this cross body bag as a fun on the go bag for quick picnics or trips to the beach.

This bag is so simple and cute, you’ll be making many of them before you know it! If you like using those reusable shopping bags, this cross body bag would also work well for that for your small and midsized items. As we said, this has so many uses that you can’t help making a few to be able to just grab and go and look cute doing it. Let’s get started!

Supplies for an Easy Sew Cross Body Bag

• 1/2 yard of fabric   
• All-purpose thread
• 150 inches of double fold ½” bias tape
• Sewing clips or Sewing Pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Rotary cutter & mat
• Scissors

How To Make An Easy Sew Cross Body Bag

As with all sewing projects it is important to wash dry and iron your fabric before you begin. Then you’ll cut the fabric to the pieces you need. You will need to cut (2) 15 1/2 inches by 12 inches. You will also need (2) 35 inches by 2 and 1/2 inches.

Lay the two long pieces (the strap) on top of each other so the wrong sides are touching. Pin each of the ends so the edges stay lined up.

The next step in how to make an easy sew cross body bag is to sew the ends together at each end. Sew it using about 1/4 inch seam. Pretty much keep the edge of the sewing foot lined with the edge of the fabric. 

Now, turn it inside out so the two right sides are together. Give it a press with the iron so that it lays flat.

The next step in how to make a cross body bag sewing tutorial is to sew about 1/4 inch in from the seam area so that it closes in the raw edge of the other seam.

Do this on both ends.

Flip the fabric inside right again. Iron the seams so they lay flat. Then stitch one more time close to the edge of each of the little flaps to tack them down.

Now your straps should lay flat without any raw edges.

Now we start the bag sides. Lay it so that it is face down. At the end that is 12 wide, fold it over by 1/4 inch.

Iron so that it is flat.

Then fold again, this time make the fold 1 inch. Iron again and pin in place about the middle of the fold.

Next, sew those folds in place. Sew just above the folded edge that meets the rest of the fabric. Then, repeat steps 6 & 7 for the other side piece of the bag.

Now, line up one of the seams of the strap with the center bottom (non folded end) of the bag. Place it so that the wrong sides are laying on top of each other. Pin in place along the edge.

Now, fold the fabric so that it follows the corner of the side-piece and pin in place along the edge.

Sew the two together by starting at the center seam area. Continue sewing until just before the corner.

Next, to turn the corner, raise the foot and fold the flap in the other direction. Turn the fabric and put the foot back down and stitch all the way to the end. When you get to the end (the folded end) do a few lock stitches. That is done by sewing to the end then holding the reverse button to back over a few stitches then releasing the button and sewing to the end again. Then repeat these last steps with the other side starting at the bottom seam again.

Then you want to flip it all over and do the same steps to attach the other side panel. Make sure those top edges stay lined up. You are about halfway done with your easy sew cross body bag!

Before starting the next step in this Easy Cross Body Bag sewing tutorial, be sure to change the bobbin and the thread on the sewing machine to match the color of the tape. Now, starting about an inch or so from that bottom middle seam, start adding the tape to the raw edge of the bag and pin it in place as you go. You simply fold the tape over the edge and pin. Work your way all the way around including the top strap.

When you get back to the starting point, trim off extra tape leaving about a 2-inch tail.

Sew the tape in place. As you work around make sure that you keep an eye out to make sure as you are stitching that you are stitching through both sides of the tape and the bag. You also want to be sure you are not sewing through to the other side of the bag. Stop when you get back to the starting point.

Now, fold the tail of the tape into itself by about one inch. This will make for a clean end and not a raw edge.

Then stitch it in place overlapping the starting tape.

Finally, just repeat the last four steps to add the tape to the other side and you are done with your Easy Cross Body Bag!

Now you have a beautiful bag to take with you, or use for your kids to keep some toys and what we like to call “occupiers” with them. This bag is not too complicated and doesn’t take a whole lot of materials. If you have just started learning to sew, this bag is a great project to keep learning new skills!

If you loved this how to make an easy sew cross body bag sewing tutorial, be sure to pin it to your favorite sewing projects or sewing tutorials board on Pinterest! If you make the cross body bag make sure to tag us on social media so we can see the fabric you use.

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