Tutorial: How to Make a Sling Bag with 1/2 yard of Fabric

In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a lined, crossbody sling bag using 1/2 yard remnants. I’ve also digitized the pattern that I made so that you can easily print it out and follow along with the step-by-step tutorial.

Since I have the tendency to get an extra 1/2 yard of fabric “just in case” when I purchase fabric for my sewing projects, I always have a bunch of extra half yards laying around, so I figured I’d find something to do with them.

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Supplies Needed:

1/2 yard fabric
1/2 yard heavy weight interfacing
1/2 yard lining
15-16″ Zipper
Batting (or something fluffy, like fleece)
D-ring, belt slider, and clip (belting kit)
Belting

Pattern includes:

Front and back (cut 2, cut 2 interfacing, cut 2 lining)
pocket (cut 1)
strap (cut 1, cut 1 interfacing, cut 1 batting, cut 1 lining)

(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)

Download Pattern

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, pocket, and lining

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

Double turn hem upper edge of pocket and baste to front

I’ve left 1.5 inch hem allowance on the pattern piece. Then you can baste stitch around the perimeter of the pocket to attach it to the front piece. From here on the front pocket and front bag will be treated as one single piece.

Step 4

place zipper face down on front and sew close to the edge

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.

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.

Note: use a zipper foot on your sewing machine

angle end of zipper off of the fabric — the end of the zipper should tapper off the side of the fabric

press zipper flat — after sewing, press the fabric away from the zipper

Step 5

sew other side of zipper face down on back of bag

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.

press fabric flat — after sewing, it’s a good idea to test the zipper to make sure it works and nothing got caught in the teeth

Step 6

Open the Zipper

Keep it in the bottom part of the zipper that is free from the seam.

Step 7

sandwich zipper between lining and bag. teeth should be facing in

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.

Step 8

pull the lining around to reveal the zipper

Flip lining around the zipper

When you flip the lining around, you should be able to test the zipper to make sure it opens smoothly.

Step 9

baste the belting and D-ring to the back of the bag

Baste D-ring to the back of the bag

Wrap a bit of belting around a D-ring and baste it to the back of the bag, a few inches below the end of the zipper.

Step 10

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 the top open, but fold down the seam allowance at the top before sewing (this will make it easier to add the strap later on)

Step 11

Turn the bag right side out through the hole in the top

use top opening to flip bag to right side

move lining inside of bag — tuck the lining into the bag

Step 12

fold over open edges at top and sew closed

Fold the side-top edges together and sew (the top hole is to insert the strap)

Fold the side edge above the zipper and stitch in place (you can use an invisible slip stitch if you want, but I edgestitched it). The top is still open.

edgestitch the top closed — edgestitch through all layers

Step 13

Baste the interfacing and batting to the strap

Note: the batting isn’t strictly necessary, but it makes the strap more comfortable.

Step 14

Baste the belting to the right side of the strap

Step 15

sandwich belting with lining and sew in place, leaving one side open

Sandwich belting with lining and sew, then turn to right side

Press the strap so that it sits more-or-less flat.

Step 16

sew down the center of the strap

This helps to keep the batting in place so that it won’t slide around over time.

Step 17

insert open end of strap into top of bag

Insert strap into the opening in the top of the bag and stitch

I edgestitched and topstitched 1/4 inch down to make the strap more secure.

Step 18

Add slider and hook to strap

You want to first thread the belting through the slider, then around the clasp piece. Then you want to come back to the slider piece and loop the belting around the center rung. Fold it over and stitch.