Quilted Patchwork Crossbody Messenger Bag Sewing Tutorial
Use up those fabric scraps to make a quilted patchwork crossbody messenger bag!
I love how this patchwork crossbody messenger bag turned out! I wanted a crossbody bag to take with me on my trip and thought why not make it a patchwork bag! This little messenger bag is the perfect size for all your essentials and ideal for hands-free shopping.
I used the same quilting pattern for the patchwork as I did for the quilted patchwork handbag but made this one into a sling style messenger bag like my small crossbody messenger bag pattern. Fabric scraps or fat quarters are perfect for this sewing project.
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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 28 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Patchwork crossbody bag supplies needed:
- Fabric scraps – (18) 4-inch squares – for the outer bag – my favorite fabric shop
- (6) 4-inch squares for the outer flap
- Two lining fabric pieces measuring 10.5″ x 10.5″
- One fabric piece measuring 10.5″W x 7.25″H for the lining of the flap
- Fabric measuring 4″W x 52″L for the long strap
- Two fabric pieces each measuring 4″W x 3″H for the short straps
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Clear ruler
- Batting
- Fusible interfacing – Pellon P44F Fusible Interfacing
- 1-inch rectangle slide
- Two 1-inch rectangle rings
- Magnetic snap
- Magnetic seam guide (optional)
- Pinking shears
- Sewing scissors
- Sewing machine
Measure and cut your fabric
Using your cutting mat, clear ruler, and rotary cutter, cut (18) 4″ squares out of your fabric scraps for the outer bag and (6) 4″ squares for the outer flap.
For the lining, cut two fabric pieces each measuring 10.5″ x 10.5″ and one piece measuring 10.5″W x 7.25″H for the inner side of the flap.
Cut one fabric piece (fabric of your choice) measuring 4″W x 52″H (or however long you need) for the long strap and two fabric pieces each measuring 4″W x 3″H for the short straps.
Sew the squares together
Use a 3/8″ seam allowance.
I am using Amy Butler fabric scraps for this patchwork crossbody bag. Starting with the front of your bag, lay the squares out in the order you want – 9 squares for each outer piece of the bag.
In the first row, place the second square on top of the first square right sides together.
Sew along the right edge using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Open back up and lay the third square on top of the second square, right sides together, and sew along the right edge.
Press the seams flat. Check out these instructions on how to make your own mini ironing board.
Repeat with the other two rows of squares.
Sew the rows together
Use a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Now you’re going to sew the rows together.
Place the middle row on top of the bottom row, right sides together, lining up the seams, and sew along the top edge. NOTE: you are sewing the bottom edge of the middle row to the top edge of the bottom row – if you are using directional fabric, the pattern for the row on top should be upside down.
Sew along the top edge using a 3/8” seam allowance.
Press the seams flat.
Then, place the top row on top of the middle row, right sides together, and sew along the top edge.
Press the seams flat.
You now have the front panel sewn of your crossbody bag.
Repeat these steps with the squares for the back of the bag (9 squares) and for the outer part of the flap (6 squares).
Add the batting
I’m using Warm and White cotton batting (I had some extra scraps) and Pellon P44F Fusible interfacing for this patchwork bag.
Cut two pieces of batting each measuring 10.5″ x 10.5″ and one piece of batting measuring 10.5″W x 7.25″H.
Place the batting pieces to the wrong side of each outer fabric panel and the outer flap cover panel.
Quilt the patchwork pieces to the batting
Pin or clip the fabric and batting. Sew a line from top to bottom along the seams.
Then sew from left to right along the seams. At this point, you can stop the quilting but I decided to add some more sewn lines.
I sewed a line from top to bottom and left to right 3/8″ from each seam (I used the edge of my presser foot as a guide, which is about 3/8″ seam allowance). That way you don’t have to worry about measuring and drawing lines. I think it gives it a more finished look. Press.
At this point, you should have two quilted panels for the outer bag and one quilted panel for the outer flap.
Attach the fusible interfacing
You are going to attach the fusible interfacing to both lining fabric pieces, the flap lining piece, the long strap, and both short straps.
Place the interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric pieces and attach following the package instructions. NOTE: Cut the interfacing for the LONG strap about 1/2 inch shorter in length on each end for hemming.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 28 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Round the flap cover corners
You are going to round the bottom corners of the flap cover.
Line up the bottom right corner of the flap cover fabric piece with the corner of the cutting mat. Find a lid or a plate to trace with your marking pencil – I use an old yogurt container lid. You’ll want to be about 1.5 inches away from the corner on both edges. Trace with your marking pencil. Do the same to the left bottom corner.
Use your sewing scissors and cut along the pencil line.
Repeat by rounding the corners of the outer flap cover piece.
Add the magnetic snap to the patchwork 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 (5/8″) 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
Use a 5/8″ seam allowance.
Place the flap cover fabric pieces right sides together. Pin to hold in place.
Sew the sides and bottom of the flap using a 5/8″ seam allowance, leaving the top open. I use this handy magnetic seam guide to stay on track.
Trim around the edge using pinking shears.
Turn the flap right side out and press.
Top stitch the sides and bottom.
The above picture shows what your flap cover should look like.
Make the patchwork bag long strap
The finished strap will be 1-inch 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 sling bag, the finished straps are 1″, multiply that number by 4 (1×4=4). Therefore, I need to cut the fabric 4-inches wide before folding.
Once you have the fusible interfacing attached to your strap, lay your strap right side down on your ironing board.
Fold the strap in half lengthwise (wrong sides together) and press 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.
Repeat these steps to sew the short straps. When folding the short straps in half, be sure the 3-inch sides are together. You do not need to hem the ends of the short straps.
The above picture shows the finished straps.
Baste the flap cover to the bag
Place the cover flap on top of the back outer fabric piece of the patchwork messenger bag with the lining side facing up. The sides of the flap should be about 5/8″ 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 flap basted to the back outer fabric piece.
Sew the lining and outer bags
Use a 3/8″ seam allowance.
Place the outer bag fabric pieces right sides together.
Pin or clip the sides and bottom to hold in place, lining up the stitching. Try sewing a mini storage basket to store your clips. Sew the sides and bottom using 3/8″ seam allowance. Leaving the top open.
Repeat with the lining fabric pieces.
Square the bottom
You are going to cut a 1-inch square at each bottom corner of both the lining and outer bags pieces.
Using your clear ruler and marking pencil, mark a 1-inch 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 each square together, lining up the seams. Pin to hold in place.
Sew along the edge using a 3/8″ seam allowance.
The bottom of your crossbody bag is now 2-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-inch which makes the finished bottom width 2-inches. For a 4-inch wide bottom, you’ll cut the squares 2-inches wide.
You should have one outer bag and one lining bag.
***You can find the AD-FREE, printable PDF version of this sewing tutorial available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE. Includes 28 pages of step-by-step instructions with pictures. Print a copy to keep next to your sewing machine for easy reference.***
Baste the short straps
You are going to baste the short straps to the outer messenger bag.
Slide one short strap through one of the rectangle rings and fold over.
Baste the short straps to the sides of the outer bag with the bag seam lined up in the middle of the strap.
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
Use a 3/8″ seam allowance.
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 patchwork crossbody messenger 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.
Then slide the strap 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 inside.
Sew the strap a couple times to attach to the ring.
The above picture shows the long strap attached.
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 28 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 for a quilted patchwork crossbody messenger bag! This little sling bag is perfect for using up all those fabric scraps! Happy sewing!
Other crossbody bags to sew
- Cell Phone Purse Crossbody Bag
- Small Sling Bag with Zipper Closure
- Belt Bag / Fanny Pack Sewing Tutorial
- Messenger Sling Bag Sewing Pattern