Hello, bag-making friends! If you love a structured, stylish crossbody bag, then you’ll adore the Annabelle by SiahSwag. In the latest sew-along on The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel, we stitched this beauty together while chatting about fabric choices, modifications, and plenty of sewing tips along the way.
If you missed the live session, don’t worry—I’m recapping all the best moments right here, so you can follow along and pick up some handy techniques for making your own Annabelle bag!
Why I Love the Annabelle Pattern
This bag has such a beautiful shape and clean design, and I love how well the pieces fit together. One tweak I made was to simplify the zipper placket—instead of cutting four pieces, I opted for two and folded them, which helped reduce bulk while keeping a professional finish.
Fabric & Hardware Choices
For this version, I picked a wool blend exterior, paired with green vinyl for accents. The gusset was stabilized with Decovil, giving it a structured feel, while the lining was cotton with woven interfacing.
For versatility, I decided to add a detachable strap, so I could switch between a chain strap and a fabric strap depending on the occasion.
Sewing the Accent Pieces
The vinyl accent pieces add so much character to the bag! To keep them perfectly in place before stitching, I used double-sided tape and clips—such a simple trick that really helps when working with vinyl.
Strap Connectors & Hardware Adjustments
One of the great things about bag making is that you can tweak the details to suit your own style. I decided to taper the strap connectors slightly for a neater look and swapped the recommended ¾-inch hardware for 1-inch hardware, making small adjustments to the measurements to ensure a perfect fit.
Adding the Nameplate & Reinforcement
A small but important step in making a bag look professional is reinforcing nameplates and hardware. I marked the placement carefully and backed the nameplate with Decovil for extra stability. A little fabric glue helped keep it securely in place before attaching it.
Zipper Placket Construction
One of the standout features of this bag is its zipper placket, and I used a slightly different method than the pattern suggested. By cutting the placket on the fold, I was able to reduce bulk, making assembly easier. I also carefully marked, folded, and stitched the zipper ends to achieve a clean, polished finish.
Trimming & Reducing Bulk for a Professional Finish
One of my favourite tricks for getting smooth, crisp seams is trimming back seam allowances—especially around the zipper placket. Using pinking shears helped remove excess bulk while keeping the fabric from fraying. I also carefully separated the zipper tape from the seam before trimming to avoid cutting too close.
Topstitching & Finishing Details
To bring everything together, I switched to my walking foot machine, using Tex 45 thread and a size 19 needle to handle the thicker vinyl sections. Topstitching is one of those final touches that makes such a difference, and I took my time to keep everything neat and even—especially around the zipper placket and strap connectors.
Final Assembly & Thoughts
With all the elements in place, I started attaching the zipper placket to the exterior, taking my time to clip everything securely and mark the center points to ensure it all lined up perfectly.
I absolutely loved sewing this bag, and I think it would make a fantastic handmade gift. I even mentioned that I might recreate a green version for my daughter using a similar pattern!
Final Thoughts.
The Annabelle by SiahSwag is such a brilliant pattern, and I loved sharing the process with all of you during this sew-along! Whether you’re new to bag-making or a seasoned pro, this bag is a fantastic project to try.
If you missed the live session, you can catch the full replay on The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel. Have you made the Annabelle before? Thinking of giving it a go? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 😊
Until next time happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full
Deb x
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