Sunshine Crossbody Pouch

A friend mentioned the Sunshine Crossbody Pouch pattern from Bagstock Designs and I decided to give it a go. This is a free pattern with detailed instructions with color photos. You can also find a handful of step-by-step video tutorials on YouTube if you search for "sunshine crossbody pouch". I looked through my collection of vinyl, fat quarters from Spoonflower, and zips to come up with the perfect combination. This fabric Cephalopods world is still available on Spoonflower. 

On Friday I cut out all the pieces. Fabric, interfacing, vinyl, all ready to go. I buy my zippers from Zipit Zippers on Etsy. Great prices and excellent service. I may need to order some more.

I only had a fat quarter of the cephalopod print so I was very careful with my cutting to get just the right images in my center panels. 

Assembly on Saturday was pretty quick since I did all the cutting on Friday. I deviated from the pattern a little with the strap but that's just because I make my cross body bags this way and it works for me. The pattern is perfectly fine the way it is written.

Sewing with vinyl means I get to use my craft clips more than usual. I like them better for keeping some things lined up because they don't distort the fabric like pins can. 

This is a view of that interior zipper pocket and the fact that I failed to leave that zipper open while constructing the bag. There was some sailor language but it was unnecessary as it was really easy to grab that zipper pull and open the zipper from the lining side of the bag. It was super easy to turn the bag through that interior pocket. Maybe I should change my view on this kind of zippered pocket. 

Don't forget to label your work! Seriously, if you spend hours of your time making something put your mark on it. I mean it. 

And my finished bag! This was a fun little bag. I don't know that it would be my everyday bag (not that I carry a bag at all any more) just because it doesn't really have a convenient place for my phone. That outer pocket is big enough to hold your phone (I have the Samsung) but it isn't getting it into or out of that pocket. My ideal handbag includes a slip pocket inside that is big enough for my phone.

My favorite zipper supplier is ZipIt Zippers on Etsy
Free pattern Sunshine Crossbody Pouch from Bagstock
I buy my bag hardware from Strapworks.com

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Creative Grids 6.5" Square Ruler
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
Pellon Flex Foam
Craft Clips
Heat'n Bond Non-Woven Feather Weight Fusible 20"x 25 Yards-White
SF101 Shape-Flex® (I was unable to find this for a reasonable price on Amazon. I recommend checking your local big box craft/sewing store.)
Pattern storage: Plastic Envelopes, Clear Reusable Poly Envelope Waterproof File Folder with Snap Button, US Letter/A4 Size