Crossbody Sling Bag

So I decided to sew one myself and used up some old fabric scraps—I’ve definitely had the red one with the chefs on it lying around for at least 10 years [image removed]
I found the pattern on YouTube :-)

Best regards, Inge

"Crossbody Slingbag"—what a name. How big is this bag, which looks to me like a small backpack? Does it only have one strap that you wear diagonally across your upper body? I think the chef motif is really funny.

Best regards, Ina

Thanks, Ina. The bag is 24 cm tall and 22 cm wide—so it’s not too big—but it still fits my wallet, cell phone, keys, and tissues without having to rummage around or cram things in. It’s big enough to carry everything I need without having to lug around a “suitcase” of a handbag when I go grocery shopping for the week.

Love, Inge

Dear Inge, thanks for the details. I really like the size. You could even sew these for kids. I’m not a fan of big bags either—I either carry a backpack or a small crossbody bag.

When I was younger, it was trendy to carry your schoolbag (that heavy thing) on just one side. My neck wouldn’t be able to handle that anymore. These days, I have to keep my loads light and well-distributed. Thanks for the idea.

Best regards, Ina

The bag is definitely very practical, and the fabric is super cute, but I just can’t get used to this crossbody style at all.
Back in the day, women always wore their bags on their shoulders—only the timid old ladies would sling their shoulder bags across their bodies. When I first saw my mom do that, I was really shocked; it was the absolute epitome of old age. And somehow, that’s still stuck in the back of my mind. 🤣🤣

Dear Veronika, I used to think that way, too. These days, I actually think it’s trendy to wear bags with long straps across your body. I live near a high school and see the kids with their bags every day. They all wear them that way, across their bodies. It just has the advantage of keeping your hands free.

I, on the other hand, used to dislike backpacks. They always looked too sporty to me. But now, for the sake of my spine, I’ve come to terms with them. For shopping, I take a small crossbody bag, and if I need to carry more, I take one of my stylish backpacks. These days, I couldn’t even imagine carrying a heavy bag or purse on just one side of my body. #

My mom, on the other hand, would never have worn a backpack or a crossbody bag in her life. That’s how different people can be. But ultimately, everyone should wear what they like.

Love, Ina

Thanks, everyone, for your compliments. Yes, Veronika, you haven’t realized the advantage of wearing it across your back and chest yet—as Ina says, you have both hands free and don’t have to constantly worry about the bag slipping off your shoulder.
I sewed the crossbody again today, but this time I enlarged the pattern by 3cm all around, because the bag is too small for me personally. I always have to lug around half a pharmacy when I go out, and all that stuff needs its own space.

Love, Inge

So, Inge, I’m really amazed at all the great things you sew. I imagine it must be very complicated to sew bags like that.

By the way, I love backpacks, especially because they leave my hands free. I’ve never liked lugging around any kind of bag—I’d rather put everything in my pants pockets or in a fanny pack. Those used to be trendy, too, and they’re very practical.

Thanks, Monika—sewing bags isn’t that complicated at all. If you follow the pattern carefully, it goes pretty smoothly.  Go check out some bag-sewing videos on YouTube—you’ll see it’s neither rocket science nor magic. :-) Monika, these fanny packs are making a comeback because they’re so practical, and today’s young people are realizing that too :-)

Hugs, Inge