Sewing Faux Leather Mini Crossbody Bag

 

The most FAQ regarding the mini crossbody phone bag is "can I make it with Vinyl or Faux Leather?" Absolutely! So yesterday, I made one for myself and also recorded a short video as I sewed.

Sewing with faux leather is pretty fun, meaning I cut fewer materials and the result is always looking great! I used high-grade sofa leatherette that I bought from a local furnishing shop. It was pretty expensive but it's worth it! It's just the right thickness, pliable and a dream to stitch.

A few things to keep in mind when making this bag with Vinyl is to skip the interfacing and batting. So basically you cut fewer materials! Unless the vinyl is thin and soft, you might want to add lightweight interfacing for that.

Another thing is to always double stitch the seam.

Faux Leather Bag

For the detachable long strap, I cut 2" wide x 58" Long faux leather. The finished strap is a little wider than 0.5" wide. 

As for the D-ring tab, I cut 2 of  0.5" W x 2" H faux leather. Put them on the wrong side together and just top stitch along the edges. I still have a lot to learn about sewing with faux leather. I have a couple projects in mind, but I still keep procrastinating a lot! 

Well, I hope these few tips will answer your doubts in case you want to sew the phone sling bag using faux leather. Do let me know if you have any questions, I will try my best to help you. 

Until next time, 

Happy Sewing! 

Elvira

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Linking to these wonderful BLOGS

Mini Mobile Sling Bags

 

I've been working on a few mini mobile sling bags. This is one of my fave projects to make and gift.  I personally use it to keep my hard disc, to carry when I go for an errand, to keep my power bank, and even fit in my pocket camera (this is handy when I travel). 

One of my fellow Indian Etsy sellers asked me yesterday, how do I manage to do what I do? I really don't have a definite answer. I just enjoy what I am doing, sewing, embroidery,  quilting, making videos, tutorials, etc. But trust me, there's a lot of work before I posted an update on social media or blog. Like these Sling Bags, I started a few weeks ago. I am batching my work a lot and I have a box full of ongoing projects. Cutting, ironing, sewing, taking photos, editing and posting don't happen in one or two days. 

Sometimes, I don't get time to sew for a few days and when I am free at night I will not be in the mood to sew, that's when I pick up my hand sewing projects. 

Anyway, here are a few mobile pouches cum sling bags that are available in my Etsy Shop as well as my Webshop. I ship internationally from my Webshop too. 

Green Paisley Phone Bag | ETSY | WEBSHOP

This time, I use some of my fave Indian fabrics and combined them with linen fabric. 

Brown Paisley | ETSY| WEBSHOP

Red Riding Hood Bag 

This pink quotes sling bag is my current fave!  I got the fabric from my Japan trip Tokyo Quilt Festival 2 years ago and so glad I finally use it for this bag. 

Marie Curie Quote Bag | ETSY | WEBSHOP

Blue Warli Phone Bag | ETSY | WEBSHOP

This is another fave from this batch of sling bags. Love the combination of floral print and stripe. The floral fabric is popular in my fabric shop. I have another combo in a similar print. 

The best thing about this sling bag is you can use it as a waist/hipster bag. I used to wear it as a waist bag a couple of years ago but now I prefer it as a  sling bag or just make a wristlet and carry it in my hand. 

 I am a bit tired today from making pre-cut batting. I really need to resume my exercise. I got a whole roll of 60 meters of cotton batting and since I don't have a place to keep the roll (it's 100 inches long), I decided to make 3 meters cut and if you're in India and looking for cotton batting, do check it out in the shop. Only have a few packs though. It's bleached cotton 150 GSM and 100 Inches Wide. 

Cotton Batting 

That's all for today. I hope you keep creatively busy and stay safe! Thank you for reading my blog!

Happy Sewing,

Elvira

Linking Up to These Wonderful Blogs

Mini Sling Bag Pattern Hack

Hello, how's everyone doing? I've been pretty busy making masks and few custom orders. I really appreciate your supports in the past few months since the pandemic started. It's been very tough for everyone, especially with heartbreaking news everywhere. Let's stay positive,  be kind, and help each other. Do what we can as an individual as well as a community. 

Today I will share how to scale up the mini sling bag the easy way without any computer involved. I know it's frustrating to scale up the pattern on the computer and print it a few times before you get the size that you want. 

This mobile sling bag pattern is very versatile. You can easily adjust the pattern based on 2 things:

1. Phone model
2. Whether or not it has a softcover. Softcover makes the phone slightly thicker. 

The basic is if you scale up the height of one part of the pattern do the same with the rest of the pattern pieces too. If you increase the height of the main body panel, increase the height/length of the pocket and flap too. Unless you want a shorter flap. Since the pattern pieces are mostly rectangle it's easy to increase the length or the height.

This basic rule applied if you want to increase the width too. I'd suggest increasing the width especially if you want to add a thicker batting or wadding.  Now, here's how to increase the width of the curvy flap:

1. Take one piece of paper and fold it in half lengthwise. From the fold, mark how much you want to increase by drawing a straight line e.g 0.5 inches away from the fold. 
2. Fold the original pattern lengthwise and place the fold on the line you just made and trace the pattern.






3. Now it will look like picture # 3. Cut along the line you just traced.
4. Your new wider pattern is done. This will increase the overall width by 1 inch. If you want to increase the overall width by 0.5 inches, draw the line 0.25 inches from the fold.

This matryoshka phone sling bag is to fit the new iPhone 11 and the newest android phone. I increase the length and width using the method above. 

If you want to learn how to make this mini sling bag, you can get the pattern on ETSY or my Webshop. 

Here is a supporting video I made a few months ago. I'll make better video when time permits :)

More Pattern Hack/Update

How to Add Zipper Pocket

Thank you for stopping by.

Take care & stay safe!

- Elvira- 

Something New

Hello again,

Few days ago, I was reading my past blog posts from way back in 2009 and 2010. I even read the comments and checked the profile of the commentator. Most of the bloggers are no longer writing. After the Facebook and Instagram, many people think writing a blog is too time-consuming. I was also caught up in the same trend. I mean, isn't it easier and more practical to just click photos and upload it to Facebook and Instagram, instead of writing all the details on the blog. The thing is, Facebook and Instagram is a fast moving, it's difficult to track what you have posted, even with the hashtag. Unlike a blog, where everything is properly documented. It's like a diary. We can always go back and read. Some cute moment, some ridiculous photos, and of course it warms my heart to read all those. Anyway enough of feeling nostalgic.

Yesteday, in between finishining my orders, I made this cute hipster cross body bag. It's been on my mind for several days, and it sort of bug me (you know what I mean?), so after cutting interfacings and fabrics for my Passport Holder orders, I draft the pattern and here it goes:

Pleated Hipster Crossbody Bag 

Originally, I wanted to make the pleat slightly closed, but I changed my mind. I love how the pleat turned out here.  It gives a patchwork look which was my initial intention.

I also made the front exterior pocket with hidden/concealed zipper. From far it will look like a slip pocket when it's actually a zippered pocket. 

Concealed Zipper Pocket

I was thinking to finish the top without a zipper, I guess that can always be an option later. I use beige linen for the solid and an orange diamond print fabric. 

Also, don't miss the patchwork removable strap! I love patchwork strap. 

Besides that, I finished another mini crossbody bag from my Phone sleeve pattern. I used the kindle size for this one which turned out pretty cool.

Red and White Mini Sling Bag

It's such a fast sewing and how scrap friendly this pattern is. The paisley fabric is just perfect, it's like waiting for the right project to come along. 

and of course the additional zippered pocket is always great option, right? Especially when you are traveling and want to keep all the small necessities with you without having to rummage the big backpack. 

That's all for today. I have to go and take the boys to their music classes today and I hope the weather holds.  

Until then,

Have a nice crafty weekends

This post is linking to Finish it up Friday 

Supplies Links : 

Mini Cross Body Bag Pattern

Linen Fabrics

Triangle Print Fabric 

Bright Orange Fabric

{NEW PATTERN} Smart Phone Sleeve & Kindle Cover

Hello,

I'm so excited to announce my new pattern! It's now available on special Price in  ETSY and CHEZVIES 

The phone pouch with a detachable strap is one of the popular items in my shop. I keep getting repeated orders since it's perfect for everyone.

Check out some of my generous Facebook and Instagram friends who's willing to test it for me. Thank you! xo 

Now let's see what these talented ladies have come up with!

Hanie of Arewhana  made this cute Phone Pouch and Kindle Cover. Red and blue never goes wrong. It's one of my fave color combos.

Sudesh Jangra of Stitch a Memory came up with this one too. Aren't they perfect as a gift for him? 

I love these classic Batik version by Hernik from Ninu Handmade  . She used a leather strap which made her pouch stand out more. Batik and Leather always perfect combo. 

Don't you love these cute Mickey Mouse pouch by Mini Nirmal of Totes N' Beyond ? 

Divya from M'seams The Creative Stitches came up with pretty stars and beige combo. She said she takes the phone sleeve when she goes for her morning walk. Well, you can make one too!

Who doesn't love the classic black and white? More so if it has these unique prints! These beauties are from Shruti Pothnis, a dentist behind pretty bags at Miz T  Handmade .

And other unique Indian prints are used by Prabha Mathew of Quiltaholics.

This is a perfect pattern to use all those scraps you've been waiting to use. A great personalized gift to make or make for your next market stall or your Handmade Shop.

Why wait, grab the pattern now while it's still on Special Price. Valid thru This Weekends! No Code is needed.

Happy Sewing

-Elvira-