Small Crossbody Wallet – When You Need An Extra Pocket

I’m happy to share this new simple project and free pattern for the Small Crossbody Wallet.  It can be made using fabric, leather or vinyl and is suitable for intermediate sewists or advanced beginners.

First, let me share with you the backstory for the design.  I had a disagreeable little incident a couple of days ago, so I thought I’d take the experience, learn some lessons, and make the best of it.

I was at the supermarket buying a few things for the house.  I was standing in line for the cash register, and the person behind me bumped into me.  She kept creeping so close to me that I felt like asking if she wanted to pay my bill.

I was with my daughter and she was telling me about her day, which only occurs right after I pick her up, so I have learned to drop everything and pay attention because once we get to the house she’ll run off like a rabbit into her room and only surface for dinner.

Instead of returning my card and bill back into my pocket I kept it in my hand along with bags of groceries.  That is when it happened.  Another bump from the lady behind me and the card was gone.  However, I did not realize it until we had arrived back home.

I returned immediately to the store to retrieve the card thinking I had left it somewhere or dropped it on the floor.  I checked with security and customer service.  It couldn’t be found and fearing the worst I called American Express to block the card and report it stolen.  “Do you remember your last charge?” the service person asked, yes I quoted the amount, the card was blocked and I was to receive a new one within 5 working days.  Thank you American Express, it only took 17 minutes and considering the card is from Australia and I am currently in South America, that is pretty impressive.

A day or so later, we went back to the mall –me to buy some placemats and my daughter to drink some tea with her friends.  I decided to pop back to the customer service counter at the store and inquire if anyone had handed back my card.  The girl at the counter said, “yes, I remember this card, please go to security”.  It turns out the woman who had “found the card” tried to use it, but because it was reported stolen she had some explaining to do with the police.  There was a police report and everything.

I learned a valuable lesson here, to take my time to put my card back in my wallet and to keep my money in a secure place.  The real key is to take my time.  If I had taken an extra 30 seconds to secure my card, I would not have made myself a target.  However, my outfit had very shallow pockets which did not give much protection, so that may not have even helped much.  What I really needed was a secure, extra pocket.

Well, this project fixes that problem.  My solution is a small crossbody wallet and it is both easy and fast to make.

Skill Level: Advanced beginners to intermediate.  Suits people who love to experiment with different techniques and approaches to sewing.

Materials for Your Small Crossbody Wallet

• Rectangle (20″ X 10″) (51cm X 25cm) of cotton quilting for the outer layer
• Cotton quilting for the lining same amount as above
• One rectangle of woven fusible interfacing
• One press fastener for thick material or a magnetic snap
• One 1.5 to 2 yards of nylon webbing for bags
• One 1″ inside diameter metal ring (optional)

Tools

• Snap tool
• Hammer
• Sharp scissors
• Sewing machine that can handle 8 layers of fabric
• Walking foot

Pattern Download

Fabric recommendations

Fabric Recommendations from Amazon.com

Pattern Layout

Finished Measurements

The wallet is 7″ X  5.25″ X 1.5″ (18.7cm X 13cm X 3.8cm).

This small crossbody wallet is big enough for a card holder and a large mobile phone.

Printing Instructions

Use the latest version of Adobe Reader, this is the only program you will need and we are not asking you to download any other program nor pay for additional programs.

Print the small crossbody wallet pattern on Actual Size and on a Landscape format.

Note:  I have enclosed zipper tabs with the pattern but I will not get into it.  I will on another occasion show you how to add a zipper to this wallet.

Sewing Instructions

I have to make a note here, the following sewing instructions are for machines capable of handling thick fabrics.  I am testing the capabilities of a sewing machine and I am not sure that it will handle the eight layers of fabric when it is time to close the sides of the crossbody wallet. If that does not work for you either I recommend you to sew the outside layer separate from the lining and leave a space on the lining to be able to turn the wallet around or try to follow the instructions below using a walking foot.

Step One

Fuse the interfacing to the fabric and lining before you cut the pattern.  This is a requirement when you are using natural fibers since I am using fusible woven interfacing and cotton quilting the chances of the fabric shrinking are high.

The interfacing is woven you will have to follow the grain linen when applying it the outer fabric.

Trace the pattern on the fusible interfacing side of both outer layer (fashion fabric) and lining.

Trace the placement of the fasteners and the dots provide in your pattern.

 

Step Two

Make the ring holder by tracing the two rectangles provided in your pattern.

This small rectangle will only need interfacing on one side, otherwise, it will be nearly impossible to turn the piece inside out.

Print sides together, sew on three sides and leave one of the smallest side open to be able to turn the rectangle inside out.

Iron and fold the raw edge of the rectangle inside by 3/8″.

Put this little rectangle to one side.  We will use it when the time comes to add the snap fastener.

Step Three

Sew the lining and the outer layer print facing each other at 1/4″ seam allowance.

Repeat a second stitching to reinforce the bag.  Cut off the seam allowance leaving 1/8″.   Leave a space at the bottom marked in your pattern) to be able to turn the fabric inside out.

Iron folding the seam allowance at the bottom.

Step Four

Place the snap fastener on the front and back of the small crossbody bag wallet.

The fasteners have two pieces for the front and two pieces for the back.

Following your pattern mark the placement of the pieces.

Open a hole with the punch holder that comes with your kit.  You will need the use of a hammer for this step.Open a hole in the little rectangle you sewed previously on the side that is closed. See picture below.

Insert the cap from the right side of the fabric so the post of the cap shows.

And yes! before you mentioned it I nearly forgot about the little rectangle.

Place the socket on the back and using the rivet piece hammer so the post is flattened.  

You have placed the front snap on the wallet now you need to repeat the procedure with the back of the snap fastener. 

Step Five

Sew the sides of the wallet at 3/8″.  Use your walking foot if you need to.

My machine does not have a walking foot nor can handle the many layers of fabric when it was time to sew the sides of the wallets. I had broken needles and the machine refused to sew.

I used a speedy stitcher to sew one side and then the other.

I am not going to go into any detail on the speedy stitcher because I love this little gadget and I think it deserved a special post on its possibilities. Especially for those of you who would like to use thick materials for bags, hats, and shoemaking.

Squeeze the corners together and sew also at 3/8″ to square the bottom of the wallet.

Turn the wallet around and iron.  Open the flap and place the ring on top of the rectangle. Thread the rectangle through the ring and stitch the rectangle down.

I will be making a tassel to hang on the ring.  Follow this tutorial to make your own.

Step Six

Cut the nylon webbing strap the length you want. I do not want my wallet too long but I do want to use it across my body for more security.

Using matches seal the edges of the strap.  Fold the edge by 3/4″ so the end does not show and sew the straps down on both sides.  

There, in six easy steps, we have made ourselves an extra pocket for the times when a handbag is too much and you don’t want to be a target.

Please share pictures of your projects with me and the other readers in the comments section below.  It is honestly my favorite part of the day when I get to see what everyone has made.

Until next time and happy sewing!

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