Hello, bag-making friends! If you love sewing stylish, functional crossbody bags, then you’ll love this sew-along for the Vicky May 3 by Studio 7t7. This pattern has three variations, and for this session, I worked on the version with a front pocket, sharing construction tips, modifications, and live sewing techniques.
Although I had a croaky voice and some potential internet hiccups, we powered through, chatting about sewing materials, customization ideas, and even a bag made from a prison officer’s uniform! If you missed the live, don’t worry—here’s a full recap of everything we covered!
Why the Vicky May 3?
This is a versatile and practical crossbody bag, and I’ve made it multiple times now. It’s a great project for experimenting with fabrics, stabilizers, and custom design elements like zipper accents or embroidery.
For this version, I made a few modifications, including adding a zipper accent for a neater finish and moving the nameplate to the back panel instead of the front pocket to prevent wear.
Fabric & Materials
For this bag, I used:
Wool blend exterior, with interfacing for structure.
Vinyl for the zipper panels and gusset, stabilized with Decovil for a sturdy feel.
Cotton lining, reinforced with woven interfacing to prevent sagging.
I had planned to add embroidery to the front panel, but time got away from me! However, this bag is ideal for embroidery, so I’ll definitely try that in a future version.
Sewing Setup & Techniques
To sew the bag, I used my Jack H2 walking foot machine with:
A size 19 needle (perfect for handling thicker materials).
Tex 45 thread in grey for both construction and topstitching.
Different stitch lengths—shorter for construction and longer for topstitching to create a polished look.
Throughout the sew-along, I shared sewing tips, including:
Trimming stabilizers out of seam allowances to reduce bulk.
Using double-sided tape for positioning tricky pieces before stitching.
Switching to a narrow sewing foot for close stitching around zips and curves.
Strap & Hardware Details
This bag has an adjustable crossbody strap, made using 1-inch lobster clasps and a strap adjuster. I also shared a linked tutorial on different ways to construct straps, so viewers could choose their preferred method.
Assembly & Custom Touches
One of the main assembly steps was sewing the front slip pocket, making sure to mark the center points for precise alignment. I also decided to add a zipper accent, rather than following the pattern exactly, as I find it creates a neater and more professional finish.
For those tackling curved edges, I shared tips on:
Clipping notches in seam allowances to help fabric bend smoothly.
Using a walking foot to prevent shifting layers.
Taking your time topstitching for an even finish.
Community Chat & Podcast Updates
A big part of these live sew-alongs is chatting with the community, and this session was no different! We discussed:
Upcoming podcast episodes featuring fellow bag makers.
Viewer sewing plans and ideas for future projects.
It’s always amazing to connect with other sewists, share experiences, and pick up new ideas and techniques from each other!
Final Thoughts.
The Vicky May 3 by Studio 7t7 is such a fun and practical bag to sew, and I loved walking through the process during this sew-along. Whether you’re new to bag-making or looking for ways to customize and refine your techniques, this bag is a great 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 Vicky May 3 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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