Ready to make your first crossbody bag? 💕 In this beginner-friendly sewing tutorial, I’m showing you step-by-step how to turn inexpensive dish drying mats into an adorable crossbody bag complete with a zipper, adjustable strap, and professional-looking finished edges!

If you’re a new sewist who has been wanting to try bag making but feels intimidated by zippers, hardware, binding, or sewing around corners, this project is for YOU. I’ll walk you through every step and show you that you absolutely CAN make a bag, even if you’re still learning your sewing machine.

And because we don’t waste cute scraps around here, we’ll use some of the leftover dish mat to make a tiny matching zipper pouch too! ✂️🧵

✨ IN THIS TUTORIAL YOU’LL LEARN:
• How to sew a beginner crossbody bag
• How to install a zipper
• An easy trick for concealing zipper edges
• How to sew bias binding around raw edges
• How to add D-rings and bag hardware
• How to make an adjustable crossbody strap
• How to sew bulky layers with your sewing machine
• How to make a quick matching zipper pouch
• Tips for getting better results as a beginner sewist

🧵 SUPPLIES:
• 2 15"x20" dish drying mats
• Size 5 zipper
• 1½" webbing
• 1½" D-rings
• 2 1.5" swivel clasps
• 1 1.5" Adjustable strap slider
• ½" double-fold bias tape
• Universal 90/14 sewing machine needle
• Thread
• Basic sewing supplies

This is a great easy sewing project for beginners, especially if you’re ready to move beyond basic straight-line projects and start learning some beginner bag-making skills.

Remember: your sewing does NOT have to be perfect. Take your time, be the boss of your fabric, and have fun with it. 💕 We’re learning together!

And make sure you SUBSCRIBE to She Sews Seams for more beginner-friendly sewing tutorials, easy sewing projects, bag-making tutorials, quilting projects, and sewing tips!

Happy sewing, sweet friends! 🧵💕

🩷🧡 She Sews Seams Community:
🌐 WEBSITE - https://www.shesewsseams.com/learnmore
🛍️ STORE: https://www.shesewsseams.com/store
🪡 📕 SEWING JOURNAL: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shesewsseams-sewing-journal-chelsea-swindle/1143470336?ean=9798369239889
🛒 AMAZON STOREFRONT: https://amzn.to/45Y7x7q

🧡 STUFF I USE:
🪑 Sewing Chair: https://tidd.ly/4kHZwei
🪡 Sewing Table: https://amzn.to/42DMs3z
📗 Cutting Mat: https://tidd.ly/3TDMPGm
💡 Flexible Sewing Machine Light: https://tidd.ly/44MFk50
✂️ Fabric Scissors: https://tidd.ly/4nRTcUc
✂️Sewing Snips: https://amzn.to/4bZtF5U
🥌 Tula Pink Oliso Iron: https://tidd.ly/4eRzjZn
🥌 Tula Pink MINI Oliso Iron https://tidd.ly/4m1GoJs
🪡 Needles: https://amzn.to/3FCzcmZ
🔗 Quilting Clips: https://amzn.to/42eItua
📏 Acrylic Ruler: https://amzn.to/4igWwVU
⚙️ Rotary Cutter Blades: https://amzn.to/442IiDw
✒️ Rotary Cutter: https://tidd.ly/40V8oWI
🥌 Mini Iron: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJTDDRMN?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2ENM76OQZEY2D&linkCode=tr1&tag=chelseaswindl-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2ENM76OQZEY2D_1742410583824

🧡FABRIC STORES I LOVE
Fabric Mart:
https://fabricmartfabrics.com/?sca_ref=9274644.B8CIen8huFE4PLCz
Promo Code: CHELSEA5 for $5 off your first order!

🧡 MY MACHINES:
Sewing Machine: https://tidd.ly/4mhXnHB
Serger: https://tidd.ly/3GMlq22
Coverstitch: https://tidd.ly/46wrpmj
Embroidery/Sewing Combo: https://tidd.ly/40kOsfV
Brother 1034D Serger: https://tidd.ly/4eSVq1t

🧡 Beginner Machines Under $300:
Babylock Zest: https://tidd.ly/4lGC1n9
Brother CS7000X: https://tidd.ly/44B5FEg
Singer Heavy Duty: https://tidd.ly/46dIZeA

Disclosure: this page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

#BeginnerSewing #SewingForBeginners #EasySewingProject #CrossbodyBag #BagMaking #SewingTutorial #BeginnerSewingProjects #LearnToSew #DIYCrossbodyBag #SewingProjects #EasyBagTutorial #SheSewsSeams