Hello, lovely sewists! There’s nothing quite like diving into a brand-new pattern and figuring it out as you go, and that’s exactly what we did in the latest live sew-along on The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel. This time, I tackled the Acacia Crossbody Bag by Bagstock—a sleek little design with some interesting construction details. Since I hadn’t made this bag before, it was a true sew-along experience, with real-time adjustments, a few surprises, and lots of bag-making chat along the way!
Pattern & Materials Breakdown.
The Acacia Crossbody Bag has a lovely structured design, and we spent some time going over the materials and how each piece had been interfaced and stabilized. I also decided to tweak the strap connectors, opting for a continuous strap connector that runs the full length of the gusset, rather than the original pattern’s method. Customising patterns is one of my favourite things about bag making—it’s all about making it work for you!
Sewing the Crossbody Strap & Strap Connectors.
Since crossbody straps can be a little time-consuming, I had pre-made mine before the live session (if you need a refresher on strap-making, there’s a handy link in the video description!). For the strap connectors, I tested my modification on camera, folding them over to secure the D-rings. It worked beautifully and gave the bag a sleek, professional look.
The Fun of Bag Construction.
Once the prep was done, we got into the actual bag assembly—always the most exciting part! I stitched the exterior together, adjusting things as I went to make sure everything lined up nicely. A key takeaway? Interfacing placement really matters! It’s always worth double-checking before fusing, especially when working with vinyl.
Adding the Hardware – Purse Lock & Zipper.
One of the standout features of this bag is its purse lock closure, which gives it a polished finish. I reinforced it with glue, Decovil, and tape to prevent wear and tear over time. We also installed a #5 zipper in the front panel, chatting about stitch lengths and techniques to get that professional-looking finish.
Flap Assembly – A Bit of Chicken Fun!.
The flap of the Acacia Crossbody is a key feature, and I had a little fun with mine, using a mix of vinyl and a fabulous chicken-print fabric. (Because why not? A little personality in your bag never hurts!) After stitching and turning it right-side out, I added topstitching to make the edges crisp and clean.
Final Construction & Adjustments.
The last steps involved securing the flap to the back panel, carefully handling the bulk from the interfacing and vinyl, and then attaching the gusset and modified strap connectors. Seeing it all come together was so satisfying, especially with the little tweaks I made along the way.
A Relaxed, Interactive Sew-Along.
One of the best things about live sewing is the interaction with viewers. We had some great chats about favourite fabrics, hardware choices, and even a few bag-making struggles (because let’s be honest—every sewist has a “why won’t this piece line up?!” moment). There were plenty of laughs, some creative troubleshooting, and lots of encouragement to just have fun with the process.
The Acacia Crossbody Bag turned out to be such a satisfying make, and I loved figuring it out with all of you during the live sew-along! If you haven’t sewn this pattern yet, I’d definitely recommend giving it a go—it’s a great project for playing with different materials and custom details. Want to watch the full process? Catch the replay on The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel and sew along with me. I can’t wait to see how you make this bag your own—happy stitching! 😊
Until next time happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full
Deb x
Comments