Hello, lovely bag makers! Some bag patterns are so good that you find yourself making them over and over again, and for me, the Sunshine Crossbody by Bagstock Designs is one of those. In my latest sew-along on The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel, we stitched up this stylish little crossbody together, chatting about modifications, tools, and tips along the way. If you missed the live session, don’t worry—I’ve got a recap right here, and you can still catch the full replay on YouTube!
Why the Sunshine Crossbody?
I love this pattern because it’s the perfect size—not too big, not too small—and offers plenty of opportunities to customise. Whether you want to add hidden connectors, tweak the interfacing, or experiment with fabric choices, this bag lets you get creative while still being a straightforward sew.
Pattern Adjustments & Fabric Choices
Since I’ve made this bag a few times, I’ve found a couple of tweaks that make it even better:
Hidden Connectors: Instead of the standard side connectors, I went with hidden connectors for a cleaner look. (Fun fact: I let the live viewers decide this one!)
Decovil Instead of Foam: I swapped out foam for Decovil to give the bag a more structured shape without excess bulk.
Fabric Mix: I used a pink vinyl for the accents and a cotton center panel, all interfaced with woven interfacing for added durability.
Sewing the Lining & Zipper Panel
We started with the lining, adding a slip pocket with an accent strip for extra detail. I love adding little touches like this to make the inside just as beautiful as the outside!
Next up was the zipper panel, where I shared my go-to techniques for centering the zipper perfectly using double-sided tape and a 3/8" seam allowance for a polished finish.
Building the Exterior & Hidden Connectors
One of the trickiest parts of this bag is aligning the accent panels neatly, but I used my 3/8" ruler to mark everything precisely before stitching. Taking a few extra minutes here makes a big difference in how professional the final bag looks!
Since the viewers voted for hidden strap connectors, I explained the exact placement and how to reinforce them so they hold up well over time. Hidden connectors give a sleek, modern look and work especially well when using vinyl or leather accents.
Bag-Making Tips & Favourite Tools
Throughout the sew-along, I shared a few of my favourite sewing tips, including:✔ Chain Stitching – A game-changer for saving time when working on multiple pieces.✔ Pre-Marking Seam Allowances – This ensures everything lines up correctly without guesswork.✔ Using a 3/4" Ruler – Super handy for marking strap placements and centering features.
Live Interaction & Community Fun
One of the best parts of these live sew-alongs is chatting with all of you! We had some brilliant discussions about fabric choices, interfacing preferences, and everyone’s latest sewing projects. There’s something special about sewing in real time with a community of like-minded makers—it’s like having a virtual sewing club!
Final Thoughts on the Sunshine Crossbody Bag,.
The Sunshine Crossbody is such a fun bag to make, and with a few tweaks, you can really make it your own! Whether you prefer hidden connectors, love a structured shape, or want to experiment with bold fabric choices, this pattern gives you plenty of creative freedom.
If you missed the live sew-along, you can still catch the full replay on The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety YouTube channel and sew along with me at your own pace. I’d love to see how you customise your Sunshine Crossbody—let me know in the comments or share your makes with our sewing community.
Until next time happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full
Deb x
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