Small Messenger Crossbody Bag Sewing Pattern
Sew a small messenger crossbody bag with adjustable strap using these step-by-step instructions.
The small messenger crossbody bag is perfect for hands free convenience when you’re on the go. This messenger sling bag features a flap with magnetic snap closure and an adjustable strap. The small messenger crossbody bag is similar to the DIY messenger sling bag but ideal for your small essentials like phone, cash, lipstick when you don’t want to carry a shoulder bag or large purse.
The small zipper pouch coin purse will fit perfectly in this messenger bag. Sew a matching lip balm holder keychain and attach to one of the rectangle rings!
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***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 22 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Messenger crossbody bag supplies needed:
- Cotton fabric – one yard for outer fabric – my favorite fabric shop
- Cotton fabric – 1/2 yard for lining fabric
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- Fusible interfacing – Pellon 911FF Fusible Interfacing
- Two 1.5″ rectangle rings
- One 1.5″ rectangle slide
- Magnetic snap
- Marking pencil
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine
Measure and cut your fabric
Using your cutting mat, clear ruler, and rotary cutter, cut two outer fabric pieces and two lining fabric pieces each measuring 11″ x 11″.
Cut one outer fabric piece and one lining fabric piece each measuring 10.5″W x 9″L for the messenger crossbody bag flap.
For the long strap, cut one outer fabric piece measuring 6″W x 52″L (or however long you need).
Cut two outer fabric pieces measuring 6″W x 4″L for the short straps.
Attach the fusible interfacing
I’m using Pellon 911FF Fusible Interfacing for the body and flap of the messenger bag and Pellon P44F Fusible Interfacing for the straps.
Attach the fusible interfacing to all fabric pieces following the package instructions.
NOTE: Cut the interfacing for the LONG strap about 1/2 inch shorter in length on each end for hemming.
Add inside pockets (optional)
At this point, you have the option of adding pockets to the lining fabric pieces if you want pockets on the inside of your messenger bag. To add a zipper pocket, follow these instructions on how to add a zipper pocket. For slip pockets, follow these instructions on how to add slip pockets to a bag.
Make the messenger crossbody bag long strap
The finished strap will be 1.5-inches wide.
RULE OF THUMB: Decide how wide you would like your strap to be and then multiply by 4 and that will be how wide to cut your fabric. For this bag, 1.5 inches wide means I need to cut the fabric 6 inches wide.
Fold the strap in half lengthwise and press along the fold.
Open back up and fold the outside edge to the center and press.
Turn the strap around and fold the other outside edge to the center and press.
Fold in half again and press.
Open back up and fold each short end in about 1/2-inch and press. Fold the strap together again and press. Hemming the strap gives it a finished look.
Sew the strap along the folded edges using about 1/4″ seam allowance.
Make the crossbody bag short straps
The short straps will not need to be hemmed.
Fold each strap in half lengthwise (4-inch sides together) and press along the fold.
Open back up and fold the outside edge to the center and press.
Turn the strap around and fold the other outside edge to the center and press.
Fold in half again and press.
Sew the strap along the folded edges using about 1/4″ seam allowance.
Repeat with the other short strap.
The above picture shows the finished short straps.
Add the magnetic snap to messenger bag flap cover
The magnetic snap has four parts – male, female, and two washers.
You’re going to attach the male magnetic snap to the lining side of the flap cover.
Figure out where you would like the magnetic snap to be and place one of the washers there. The center is at 5.25″. Be sure to save space for the seam allowance and top stitching.
Mark the washer slots on the fabric with a marking pencil. Cut the slits with your seam ripper (cut just a bit smaller than your pencil mark. You don’t want the slits too big).
Push the prongs on the male magnetic snap through the slits you just made.
Place the washer on the back of the snap. Hold down the washer and fold one prong towards the center of the snap. I use scissors or something sturdy to push down on the prong. Repeat with the other prong.
The female magnetic snap will be added in a later step.
Sew the messenger bag flap cover
Place the outer fabric piece of the flap cover on top of the lining fabric piece, right sides together.
Sew the sides and bottom of the flap using a 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving the top open.
Clip the bottom corners using your sewing scissors.
Turn the flap right side out, pushing out the corners, and press.
Top stitch the sides and bottom, pivoting the corners.
The above picture shows the messenger crossbody bag finished flap cover.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 22 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Sew the messenger bag together
Starting with the outer fabric pieces, place the fabric pieces right sides together. Pin or clip to hold in place. I changed my mind on the placement of the short straps which led to having to baste the flap again in a later step. Please disregard the flap in the above picture.
Sew the sides and bottom using a 3/8″ seam allowance, leaving the top open.
Repeat this step with the lining fabric pieces.
Square the bottom of the messenger bag
You are going to cut a square at each bottom corner of both the lining and outer bags pieces.
Using your clear ruler and marking pencil, mark a 1.5″ square at each bottom corner of the outer fabric bag piece.
Cut the squares along the marked lines using your sewing scissors.
Repeat with the lining bag piece.
Pinch the each square together, lining up the seams. Pin in place.
Sew along the edge using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
The bottom of your messenger crossbody bag is now 3-inches.
RULE OF THUMB: The finished bottom width of the crossbody bag is going to be two times the width of the squares you cut. For this sling bag, the squares are 1.5 inches which makes the finished bottom width 3 inches. For a 4 inch wide bottom, you’ll cut the squares 2 inches wide.
Baste the small straps
Turn your outer bag right side out.
Slide one of short straps through one of the rectangle rings and fold in half. Repeat with the other short strap.
Place each short strap, with the rings facing down, on the back of the outer bag about 1/2″ from each edge seam. Clip or pin in place.
Baste the straps to the bag.
Baste the flap cover to the bag
Place the cover flap on top of the back outer fabric piece of the messenger sling bag (on top of the short straps) with the lining side facing up. The sides of the flap should be about 1/4″ from each edge. Pin at the top to hold in place.
Baste the flap cover to the outer fabric piece.
The above picture shows the shorts straps and the flap cover basted to the back of the outer bag piece.
Add the other magnetic snap
Fold the cover flap over and mark where the female snap should go with your marking pencil.
Place the washer over the dot and mark the slots in the washer. Follow the same steps to attach the female magnetic snap as you did with the male snap.
Turn the outer bag back to wrong side out.
Sew it all together
Turn the lining bag right side out and place inside the outer bag.
The right sides of the fabric should be facing each other and the short straps and flap should be in between the bags. Line up the seams and pin to hold in place, leaving an opening in the front for turning.
Sew around the top of the bag using a 3/8″ seam allowance, again leaving an opening for turning. Sew over the straps a couple times for extra durability.
Turn right side out
Turn the messenger sling crossbody bag right side out. Push the lining inside the bag and press.
Top stitch around the top giving the bag a finished look and closing the opening.
Attach the long adjustable strap
The rectangle slide is used to make the strap adjustable. Slip one end of the long strap through the slide and fold over.
Sew to attach the strap. I start in the middle and go backwards then forwards then back to the middle. This keeps the strap lined up and prevents it from moving around. (I sew two lines for extra durability).
With the folded part of the strap facing up, slide the other end of the strap through the left rectangle ring. Be sure the strap isn’t twisted. See above pictures.
Then slide it through the rectangle slide. The folded part of the strap should be facing down, hidden under the strap.
Take the end and slide it through the other rectangle ring and fold over so the folded part is facing the back.
Sew the strap a couple times to attach to the ring.
Pin for later!
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 22 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
You are finished!
I hope you enjoyed this sewing tutorial on how to sew a messenger crossbody bag! Now you can make one for yourself to enjoy hands free shopping when you’re out and about or makes some bags for your friends and family. Happy sewing!
More handbag sewing tutorials:
- Belt Bag Fanny Pack Sewing Pattern
- Small Sling Bag with Zipper Closure
- Backpack Purse with Flap Closure
- Curved Top Shoulder Bag Sewing Pattern
