Tutorial: Easy Cat-Shaped Sling Bag
This tutorial will show you how to make a cat shaped sling bag using 1/2 a yard of fabric or less. It’s easier than you think to make, and this cat bag is a great way to practice your basic skills with a zipper. I made a free pattern that you can download below, so you can easily follow along with the step-by-step instructions.
Supplies Needed:
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
Step 1
Apply interfacing to front and back
You can use sew in or fusible interfacing, whichever you prefer.
Step 2
Sew darts in front, back, and linings
With right sides together, sew the darts in the bottom of all of the bag pieces (except the strap). This gives dimension to the bag when it’s finished.
Step 3
sew the tail strap
With right sides together, sew along the length of the tail strap. Then turn it to the right side and press.
Step 4
baste the belting and the tail strap
Add the belting to the top of one side of the bag, and the tail strap to the bottom.
Step 5
place zipper face down on the front and sew close to the edge
Line up the edge of the zipper and fabric and sew between the edge and the zipper teeth. When sewing, its helpful to move the zipper-pull down into the bottom section of the zipper.
The opening of the zipper should be at the top of the bag. Leave 1 to 2 inches of zipper free at the bottom of the bag. You also want to taper the top of the zipper so it bends into the seam allowance.
Note: use a zipper foot on your sewing machine
Step 6
Sew the zipper face down on the back of the bag
Repeat step 4, but this time with the zipper face down on the back of the bag. After sewing, make sure the front and back of the bag line up and press your seams.
Step 7
Sandwich the zipper with the lining and sew it in place
The teeth of the zipper should be facing in, toward the center, with the edges of the lining and bag pieces lined up. Sew the front and back lining to the zipper and bag.
When sewing, it is helpful to open the zipper and keep the zipper pull in the bottom section that is free from the seam.
After sewing, test the zipper to make sure everything is working properly.
Step 8
arrange your bag with the linings on one side and the outer bag on the other and sew
With the zipper in the middle, fold the linings together on one side, and the outer bag layers together on the other. Sew around the perimeter of both sides. Leave a gap in the side of the lining layers.
Step 9
Clip the corners and curves
Clip the corners as close to the stitching as you dare.
Step 10
turn the bag to the right side through the gap in the lining
Then sew up the lining gap and tuck it inside the bag.
Step 11
Add a D-ring to the tail strap
Fold the fabric around the D-ring and sew it in place.
Step 12
Add the slider and Clip to the strap
- First, thread the belting through the slider
- Second, add the clip piece
- Then you want to come back to the slider piece and loop the belting around the center rung. Fold it over and stitch.
Once the clasp is attached, you can clip it to the D-ring on the tail.
Finished!
