The Christine Sling is definitely the bag I’ve worked on for the longest time. For many reasons, the development would keep getting pushed, but I always knew it would have some kind of compact cross-body silhouette. This bag first started off as a very slim phone holder, but with the passing of time, phones kept getting bigger and styles kept changing. But when bags were being worn more across the chest and mid-back, I knew the sling had to be re-tooled a bit. I made her a little larger than just a phone holder but still small enough for life on the go.
View B with added Piping
Inspiration
View A with rivet embellishments
With the slowly world opening back up with COVID-19, I knew I still wanted to have a small bag to run in and out of stores quickly. But now, our essentials of keys-wallet-cell phones have expanded to include masks and lots of sanitizer. The depth of the bag had to expand with our needs.
View A with angled tab
On top of this, belt bags are definitely sticking around and I just love the sling look — especially with the accessory strap. All of my bag patterns teach a different way to make/use a strap and this pattern is no exception. With everyone using their phones and earbuds, I wanted to keep a quick pocket to hold a phone and the accessory strap to hold a Tiny Sophia Bag with either earbuds or that sanitizer!
Namesake
View A
As with all of my bags designs, they are named after my nieces. Early on, I knew that Christine’s bag would always be a sling. One – because it works with her name so well! And two – when I started designing her bag, she was still in college. I wanted to design a bag that could be a part of that care-free lifestyle while still being modern and on-trend. That bag would also HAVE to work with a busy lifestyle (Christine is also a nurse!) yet, would always be fun and cute like her <3 This bag is a perfect representation of my super funny and incredibly caring Christine.
Features
View A with chain strap
The Christine Sling is a small compact bag perfect for everyday. It follows what I love in bag design — simple, clean lines with versatile styling and a modern twist. As the “Sling” part of the name entails, this bag is meant to be worn across the chest or swung around the mid-back. However, with a quick change of the accessory strap, the Christine can go to a full cross-body or even as a belt bag with adjusted length. I am ALL about bag versatility!
- Two Views – This bag includes instructions for two separate views. View A includes piping and accent fabric for some fun raw-edge contrasting looks. View B uses the same main fabric throughout for a sleeker look and comes together very quickly without the piping.
- Pockets – Both views have zipper and slip pockets which are the same for the exterior and the lining. They are the perfect size to keep your phone or keys accessible. You can even omit the pockets altogether on the exterior for a classic look or double up the zipper pockets for extra security.
View A inside out
- Lining – The lining uses bias tape to keep seams clean while also providing extra structure.
View B Strap
- Strap -Both views also include a wide accessory strap for comfort and a D-ring to hold your ear pods or sunglasses. Use contrasting fabric or even some pre-made webbing for a fashionable statement strap!
Assorted Webbings
Fabric
View A + View B
Fabric Requirements:
- 3/4 yd Main Fabric
- 1/2 yd Lining Fabric
- Scrap Accent Fabric
- 2 1/2 yd Woven Interfacing (e.g. Pellon SF101)
- 1/2 yd Firm Stabilizer (e.g. Vilene or Pellon Decovil light)
This pattern is written for home decor and/or bottom-weight fabrics such as canvas, duck cloth, and denim with weights of ~ 6 oz per square yard or more. The lining is based on quilt cotton and any other fabric with the same weight (~4 oz) can be used such as linen, chambray and twill. The accent fabric in View A is intended to be left with a raw edge, allowing you to use leather, suede, vinyl, cork or another non-fraying substrate. This allows you to add some high-end details to elevate your bag.
In my samples bags for the pattern, I used Kokka canvas and Art Gallery Fabrics quilt cottons as my lining and bias tape for View A. For View B, I used faux leather from BigZ Fabrics. I like the thickness of this for bag making with pliability and it’s the same product I used for the Megan Bucket Bag. The interior lining for View B is from Teresa Chan and I’m a big fan of her designs. Be on the lookout for many future projects with her fabrics 😉
I feel a little behind on the times, but I finally got the chance to try out some interfacing I bought from a little while ago*. Let me tell you, this stuff is A-MAZING. I used Vilene Decovil light (which is similar to Pellon Decovil.) Let me tell you, the quality and adhesion is really nice. I’m definitely a fan from the jump-off and have already ordered more! But if you can only get material from the big box stores, Pellon products are fine but they won’t have as much structure and strong fusing as these other interfacings. I say all of this, but it’s all to your own preference. Always make sure to test other interfacing mixes with fabric swatches to see what you like before cutting.
*You know I always love to share where I source products, but it has recently come to light (11/2021) that this interfacing business has some polarizing views which I do not support in any way. I have deleted mention of them from this post.
Hardware
Requirements:
- (2) 1/2” Swivel Clasp
- (3) 1/2” D-Rings
- (1) 1 1/2” Slider
- (1) 1 1/2” Rectangle Ring
- (10) Sets of Rivets (8 mm post length) + Setting Tools
- (2) Sets of 12.5 mm Snaps + Setting Tools
The pattern requires the following hardware listed above. You can grab full kits in my shop here.
If you need help setting rivets, check out my video here.
If you need help setting the snaps, you can head over here.
View A with strap connectors
As a BONUS add-on to my Christine hardware kits, I’m also offering these incredible screw-in strap connectors. I found them when I was ordering hardware for myself and thought they would be a great thing to introduce to you! A video to install will follow, but essentially you completely finish the bag minus the (2) D-ring tabs at the zipper. Once you turn out the bag, you punch holes right below the side gusset stitching and screw on these connectors, adding a little glue to the bolt. That’s it! This is a great way to have a professional looking bag.
Notions
View A uses piping which I think really finishes a bag nicely and instantly takes a bag up a level. Although it take a little more time and patience to sew it in, it’s worth the effort, especially if you can just purchase it. These ready-made packs are great from your big box stores or from my favorite place for notions, Wawak.
With the Christine, the lining is finished with bias binding which is a first for my bag patterns. I went through several construction techniques and this is the best way IMO for this type of bag. With the piping, you want to sew each side separately to feel where you are sewing. A drop-in lining is possible (I tried it!) but it’s very difficult given how small the bag opening is. I want you to have a good experience making this bag and I’ll save you the pain! While sewing the binding takes longer, it is the easier method overall. The pattern calls for 3/8″ bias tape and you definitely need to use this size because anything bigger will obstruct your zipper opening. However, you can still purchase the ready-made 1/2″ double-fold packages seen above. The beauty of this manufacturer is that not all parts of the folds are 1/2″, so you can open up the tape and re-press so the long sides meet at the center crease. This will give you 3/8″ double-fold bias tape!
Zippers
I am a HUGE fan of metal-look nylon zippers. They have the high-end look fo metal teeth, but have all the ease of nylon –which means you can easily cut and sew right over the teeth! My Handmade Space is one of my favorite spots for zipper kits and Wawak just started carrying them as well, but not with as many color and zipper pull options.
But the only finish I don’t like in nylon is brass. (For some reason, it’s just way too bright yellow for me.) I always go back to metal and like these long pull zipper from Wawak. To make the double pull zipper, you do need to buy a coverall zipper (that zips in both directions) and I replaced the pulls to match.
I hope you enjoy making and wearing the Christine Sling as much as I had designing it! Please tag me on Instagram with your makes and post with #ChristineSling so we can enjoy all of these bags!
Happy Sewing!
Cristy
This bag is named after another one of my sweet nieces, Megan. Every time I would see her, she always carried around a large purse and I knew a generously sized bucket bag would HAVE to be her’s! She was always an avid reader and so this bag can carry around a small library if needed. Megan loves theater and has SUCH a beautiful voice. It only made sense to have plenty of mix and match bag options for whatever “role” would come next. Like my dear Megan, this bag is practical yet has just enough edge to stand out from the crowd.
I’ve made nine different versions of the Megan Bucket Bag, starting with the OG, made with buttery taupe cowhide, which you can read about 
This was another prototype version you can check out here. This was my first fabric version I made while, of course, holding onto the leather details. I still love that extra thin piece of leather on top of the strap….I’ll have to remember that for my next Megan bag!
After teaching many bag classes and workshops, I know that many students want to make professional looking bags, but don’t necessarily have all the right equipment – including a heavy duty sewing machine. So my goal with the construction, was to use some alternative techniques to take the bulk out of bag-making. This helps to think outside the box so you can make bags with a wider array of equipment…not just industrial grade machines.
“The Megan Bucket Bag is a fresh take on the classic slouchy bag silhouette, but with a more pronounced cube shape. The lines are clean with side seams hidden by overlays and rivets. There are two different views whether you want to make the Megan out of one fabric, or if you would like to use a raw-edge accent fabric to add a little more depth to the look. With this pattern, you will learn different strap making techniques to take the bulk out of your fabric and gain ways to present a welt zipper pocket with plates or a cover. You will also learn an off-set bag technique for the overlays that won’t compromise your side seam stitching. There are plenty of options with snaps and the use of accent fabric for you to mix and match for your perfect bag.”
This is a pattern for you to learn:
View A was designed for a single fabric and perfect for a newer bag-maker who wants to just use canvas. This is a great way to start and learn new purse techniques without having to deal with other substrates. However, this same version can be used with a single faux leather and still have a striking look. This view has a handy outside pocket with a cover to keep the look smooth and sleek but still has other details like the strap loops to add more interest.
View B uses an accent fabric such as leather, suede, cork or vinyl that can be left raw edged without fraying. These substrates are great looks to add more depth and texture to a bag. The accent fabric is incorporated on to the side overlays, strap, and is used as decorative plating against the zipper pocket and slip pocket. However, you can also swap out the accent fabric with some webbing to speed up your project.
This pattern was written with mid-weight accent fabrics in mind with 2-3mm thickness to have enough structure in the strap. However, I know there are a number of other fabrics you may want to use that are lighter and thinner – especially many types of cork. Consider adding a second layer of accent fabric to the back of the strap as shown below. Play around and see what you like!
The main aesthetic element to the Megan Bucket Bag is the side overlay with a row of bright beautiful rivets. Although I’ve used rivets for a long time with my bags, they were only in the patterns as alternation options for securing straps and such. This time, the rivets are the featured stars and are not just for looks, but also for structural purposes. They help secure the strap in place around the gorgeous O-rings. This give such a strong, yet delicate look.
To help hold the shape of the bag and keep contents safe, four sets of snaps are added to the lining. They help keep the cube shape of the Megan while still staying slouchy like a good bucket bag does. The purse can then be easily expanded by just releasing the snaps.
Although the pattern includes the use of rivets and snaps, there are no actual instructions to install them. Since there are SO many different types of hardware out there with multiplied by different tastes of the sewist, there was no way to include instructions for everything. Rivets can be single sided and double-sided. They can be shaped like pyramids, domes, or flat like burrs. Snaps also have a number of different sizes and features as well. I prefer “spring” double cap snaps, but you can use magnetic or even sew-in snaps too! This pattern allows you to use YOUR preference of material. But just like with interfacing, you must remember to follow manufacturer’s instructions. I’ll be showing my preferred methods of rivet and snap installations all next week, so keep an eye out!!!
There are truly SO many different ways to make the Megan Bucket Bag. If you are ready to make your own, click below for the pattern AND the hardware kits….it doesn’t get any easier, right?
