Cutting Corners Design is now called Bags and Seams Design!
Cutting Corners Design is now called Bags and Seams Design!
Author
Sarah is a successful pattern designer for bags, the founder of Bags and Seams Design, and a BERNINA instructor. With great passion, she helps beginners discover their enthusiasm for sewing bags. In her high-quality courses, she teaches the necessary skills step by step and ensures motivating sewing experiences with tangible results.
Would you like to sew a small crossbody bag that can safely hold your cell phone, keys, and wallet? With the Vroni, Bella, and Emily patterns from Bags and Seams Design, you have three patterns to choose from that differ significantly in shape, size, and features. In this blog post, I’ll show you the differences and help you figure out which one is the best choice for you.
The Vroni sewing pattern is a versatile set available in two compact sizes and is also suitable for beginners.
The Bella Bowler Bag has the rounded shape of a small bowler bag and features a well-organized interior layout.
The sewing instructions for the Emily pattern combine a casual fold-over style with two sizes, perfect for festivals, leisure, or the office.
All three models are worn across the body as crossbody bags. This keeps your hands free and the bag close to your body while you’re on the go.
First, the basics: A crossbody bag has a longer strap that’s worn diagonally across the upper body. This keeps it from slipping off your shoulder as easily and leaves both hands free. So it’s perfect for small everyday bags.
If you’re new to sewing and want to learn how to sew bags, check out my bag-sewing masterclass!
Let’s start with sweet Vroni:
The Vroni pattern offers two sizes and several options for customizing the bag to fit your everyday needs. Thanks to the clear, step-by-step sewing instructions, it’s the perfect crossbody bag for beginners. The MINI version measures approximately (H/W/D) 19 × 23 × 7 centimeters and holds a cell phone, keys, wallet, and other small items. And yes, it’s REALLY mini!
Measuring approximately (H/W/D) 25 × 28 × 9 centimeters, the MIDI is roomier but still a small bag for the essentials.
Depending on the version, you can close the bag opening with a zipper, a magnetic snap, or a LOXX snap. You also have a choice for the outer pocket: it can be sewn as a slip pocket or as a combination of a slip pocket and a zippered pocket.
This makes the pattern ideal for anyone who wants to use the same pattern multiple times and experiment with different details on each bag. Without the carrying strap, you can also use Vroni as a storage organizer.
The “Crossbody Vroni” Pattern Set at a Glance:
It's not just the fabric and the shape of the bag that determine the style of a crossbody bag. The width of the strap also has a surprisingly big impact on its look. A narrow strap often looks elegant and understated. A wide strap makes the same bag appear sportier, more modern, and more eye-catching. Patterned bag straps can even become the most important design element. The strap width also affects comfort. Wider straps distribute the weight more evenly across the shoulder and can be more comfortable when the bag is slightly heavier. Make sure that the D-rings, carabiners, and strap sliders are compatible with the strap width you’ve chosen.
Next up is the beautiful Bella Bowler Bag: a compact bowler bag with a rounded shape. With finished dimensions of approximately (H/W/D) 18 × 26 × 9.5 cm, it offers more depth than a flat cell phone pouch, yet remains easy to carry.
The bag closes with a zipper. Interior slip pockets and zippered compartments ensure that small items don’t end up loose in the main compartment. Bella is made without bias tape. This makes it easier to complete, especially if you’ve already sewn your first few bags but still have little experience with intricate bound seams.
If you leave out the D-ring for the carrying strap, you can also use Bella as a spacious makeup bag.
The Bella sewing pattern at a glance:
The “Foldover Emily” pattern bundle stands out for its foldover design and the distinctive corners at the hem. The pattern includes two sizes, each designed for different everyday situations.
The little Emily measures approximately (H/W/D) 19 × 25 × 9 centimeters. It’s perfect for holding your cell phone, money, keys, and sunglasses, and can be worn close to your body at a festival, while strolling through town, or when you’re out on the town.
The large version measures approximately (H/W/D) 26 × 38 × 16 centimeters. It also has room for a water bottle, a notebook, and other everyday items. This makes it suitable for use as a city or office bag.
Both sizes can be equipped with various slip pockets and zippered compartments. Reinforcement is required for thin fabrics. Depending on the design, dimensionally stable materials such as canvas or synthetic leather can be used without a full-surface interfacing. The bottom is given additional reinforcement.
The Emily Foldover Crossbody Bag at a Glance:
Crossbody bags are worn diagonally across the upper body. This distributes the weight differently than with a classic shoulder bag, and the strap is less likely to slip off the shoulder.
The Vroni Sewing Pattern is a great eBook for you if you love small bags. The pattern includes two sizes as well as different closures and exterior pockets.
Choose the Bella pattern if you’re looking for a compact design, a secure zipper, and multiple compartments. Without the shoulder strap, you can also sew this pattern as a makeup bag.
Emily is a great bag in a casual boho style, perfect for festivals as well as elegant occasions. The small version is ideal for carrying a few personal items, while the large one offers significantly more storage space.
The choice of fabric determines how sturdy or soft your finished bag will be.
Canvas retains its shape well and is generally easy to sew. Lighter-weight fabrics require an additional interfacing.
Faux leather is suitable for bottoms, side panels, or contrasting details. Use fabric clips to secure it, as pins can leave visible holes.
Corduroy gives the garment a softer, more casual look. When cutting out the pieces, make sure that all pattern pieces have the same grain direction.
Cotton woven fabric is easy to work with and works well as a lining. When used as a outer fabric, it usually needs to be reinforced.
Coated bag fabrics are practical for frequently used designs. Before sewing, check whether the fabric can be ironed.
The interfacing must be suitable for the fabric and the desired shape. For a soft bag, a light- to medium-weight iron-on interfacing is often sufficient. If you want the bag to hold its shape better, you can use a sturdier interfacing or thin foam.
If the interfacing is too thick, it can make it difficult to sew curves and zipper areas on small bags. Therefore, test the fabric and interfacing on a scrap piece before reinforcing all the pattern pieces.
Casper is more compact, while Vayana falls somewhere between a medium-sized bag and a backpack suitable for everyday use.
You can find the exact list of materials in the respective instructions. Typically, you’ll need:
For an adjustable strap, you’ll need a strap adjuster. If you want the strap to be removable, you’ll also need two carabiners.
The right length depends on your height, the desired carrying height, and the width of the bag. It also matters whether you plan to wear the bag over a jacket or if it’s intended for summer use. That’s why I always recommend an adjustable strap that’s about 140 m long. However, you should determine the exact length yourself: Use a measuring tape to measure diagonally across your upper body and decide where you want the bag to sit.
When trimming, also keep the following in mind:
Vroni is a great bag for beginners. With its various versions, you can start with a simple design and try out additional closures or compartments on future bags.
Bella and Emily are designed for beginners who have already gained some experience sewing bags. Bella is made without bias tape. With Emily, the fold-over design and the distinctive bottom corners require a bit more precision.
For festivals, a bag should be lightweight, fit snugly against the body, and close securely. An adjustable strap and a zippered compartment help keep your essentials close to your body.
The little Emily is specifically designed for festivals and nights out. The Vroni MINI, with its compact size, is also perfect for holding your cell phone, money, and keys.
The fabric cut, zipper color, and hardware significantly change the look of the garment. You can also add a label, a plotter design, or embroidery before sewing it together.
Other design options include:
Before decorating, mark the seam allowances and the positions of the future pleats. This will ensure that the design isn’t covered up when you sew the pieces together.
