Crossbody Bag Sewing Tutorial – Elodie

Sew a fully lined crossbody bag with an inset heart, zip-top closure, boxed base and adjustable removable strap using this step-by-step digital PDF tutorial.

The Elodie Crossbody Bag Sewing Tutorial guides confident beginners through making a practical everyday bag from start to finish. The decorative inset heart is made using a facing technique, with contrasting fabric positioned behind the opening to create a neat, defined feature. Optional hand stitching can be added around the heart for extra detail. You’ll also learn how to insert a zip with fabric zipper tabs, create D-ring tabs, box the base corners, construct and attach the lining, and make an adjustable removable strap using swivel clips and a slider. Clear written instructions and step-by-step photographs support each stage of construction, while a full-size heart template is included for printing at 100%. The finished bag measures approximately 12 inches wide by 10 inches high.

Key Features & Benefits

• Inset Heart Detail: Learn a facing technique that creates a neat opening with contrasting feature fabric behind the heart.
• Fully Lined Zip-Top Construction: Practise useful bag-making techniques including zipper tabs, boxed corners and lining assembly.
• Adjustable Removable Strap: Learn to add D-ring tabs, swivel clips and a strap slider for a versatile crossbody finish.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: A 24-page PDF combines written instructions with photographs to guide confident beginners through the project.
• Printable Heart Template: Includes a full-size heart template designed to be printed at 100%.

Finished Size

• Approximately 12" wide × 10" high (30.5 × 25.4 cm)

Skill Level

• Confident beginner

Materials & Supplies

• Approximately ½ metre outer fabric
• Approximately ½ metre lining fabric
• Approximately ¼ metre medium-weight fusible fleece
• Small piece of contrasting feature fabric
• Zip
• Cotton webbing
• Two D-rings
• Two swivel or lobster clips
• One strap slider

Suggested Fabrics

• Canvas works particularly well for the outer bag.
• Quilting cotton or lightweight denim can also be used.

What You’ll Learn

• Create a neat inset heart opening with contrasting fabric.
• Insert a zip with fabric zipper tabs.
• Add D-ring tabs.
• Box the bag corners.
• Construct and attach a lining.
• Make an adjustable removable strap with swivel clips and a slider.

What You’ll Receive

• 24-page digital PDF sewing tutorial
• Clear written instructions
• Step-by-step photographs
• Full-size printable heart template
• Digital product only – no physical item will be posted

Ideal For

• Confident beginners developing their bag-making skills
• Sewists wanting to practise zip, lining and adjustable strap construction
• Making practical everyday crossbody bags with a decorative fabric feature

Small-Batch Selling

Finished bags made from this tutorial may be sold in small handmade batches. The tutorial itself may not be copied, shared, reproduced or resold.