Bumalong Bag Tutorial

Bumalong Bag Tutorial

The Bumalong Bag tutorial.  This is an easy tutorial about how to make a cross body zippered bag in 7 easy steps.  It only requires beginning sewing skills even though there is a zipper in this pattern.  I used some remnants that I had in my stash for this adorable bag but you can get the fabric of your choice at Fabric.com or Hobby Lobby.  Just click the link and head over for an expansive choice of great fabrics that are perfect for this project. This post contains affiliate links that if you click on them and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  As an Amazon Associate I receive from qualifying purchases.  

If you would like a video tutorial of this project head over to YouTube and check out my video.  While you are there subscribe to my free YouTube channel.  

 

What You will Need For the Bumalong Bag Tutorial

  • 1/2 yard exterior fabric
  • 1/4 yard of SF 101 Interfacing
  • 1/4 yard lining fabric
  • 9″ zipper either coordinating or contrasting
  • Charm (optional)
  • Magnetic snap
  • Scraps off Peltex  Ultra firm or other heavy weight interfacing
  • Standard Sewing Supplies
Bumalong Bag Tutorial
What you will Need Bumalong Bag
 

Step 1: Cut your Fabrics

Cut three 10″ x 8″ pieces of exterior fabric, three 10″ x 8″ pieces of lining fabric and three 10″ x 8″ pieces of interfacing.  Cut four 5″ x 5″ pieces of lining fabric or outer fabric for pockets and one 3″ x WOF (Width of Fabric) piece of exterior fabric.  Fuse the interfacing to all three of the exterior pieces.  Measure 3 1/2″ down from the top of the short edge of one of the exterior pieces and lining pieces and cut across to make two pieces.

Bumalong bag tutorial
Cut the front of the bag

Step 2: Add the zipper

Place the longer of the two pieces right side up on your table.  Lay the zipper on the edge of the fabric right side down.  Lay the corresponding lining piece right side down on the zipper to make a zipper sandwich. Sew the zipper to the fabric using a zipper foot.  fold back the fabric to reveal the zipper and press.  Top stitch along the zipper for a more professional look.  Repeat with the other side of the zipper using the smaller pieces of fabric. 

Bumalong Bag tutorial
Add the zipper
Bumalong bag tutorial
Finished zipper

Step 3:  Create the Outer Bag

Take another piece of the exterior fabric and place it so that the right side is facing the wrong side of the piece you just placed the zipper.  You could also use a lining piece if you like because this will serve as the lining for your zippered pocket.  Next, place the other exterior piece right sides together with the zippered piece.  You should have three layers of fabric.  Trim all the pieces to the same length. Sew all three pieces together around the two long sides and the bottom short side using a 1/4″ seam allowance.  Turn the pouch so that two right sides are facing out including the zippered side.

Bumalong Bag Tutorial
Create the outer bag
Bumalong Bag tutorial
Finished outer bag

Step 4:  Add the pockets

Take the four small lining pieces and sew two of them together leaving a small hole at the bottom to turn them.  Clip the corners and turn them right sides out and press.  Sew a line across the top of one of the long sides for a finished look. Repeat with the second set of small lining pieces.  Sew these pieces onto the right side of the larger lining pieces.  This will make the slip pockets for your bag.

Bumalong Bag tutorial
Add the pockets

Step 5: Add the magnetic snaps

Take to two lining pieces with the slip pockets and fuse a piece of Peltex or other heavyweight interfacing onto the wrong side of the lining where you want your snap to be.  I use the Peltex to shore up the fabric so that the magnetic snap will be stronger and last longer.  Insert the magnetic snap by simply taking the backing pieces where the two slits are and mark them.  Cut the slits using a seam ripper then insert the snap and the backing piece and fold over the prongs.  I measured 1 1/4″ down from the top and center for my snap.  Then sew the long sides and the bottom leaving an opening for turning.

Bumalong Bag tutorial
Add the snaps

Step 6: sew the strap

Next, make the strap.  Take the 3″ x WOF strip and fold it in half long ways and press.  Open it up then fold each side to the center and press then fold again to make a nice strong strap. Top stitch  along both long edges for a finished edge.  Attach the ends of the strap to the exterior pouch right sides together at the side seams and pin. Insert the right side of the outer bag into the right side of the lining bag pushing the strap inside. Stitch around the top edge of the bag.

Bumalong Bag tutorial
Fold the strap
Bumalong Bag Tutorial
Folded strap
Bumalong Bag Tutorial
Add the straps
Bumalong Bag tutorial
Place the outer bag into the lining
Bumalong bag tutorial
Turn the bag

Step 7: Finish the bag

Push the exterior bag and strap through the gap you left in the lining.  You will then have one long bag that is half outer fabric and half lining fabric.  Sew the opening closed using ladder stitch then push the lining into the outer bag.  You will now have the right sides of the outer bag facing you with the strap on the outside and the right sides of the lining fabric and the magnetic snaps facing inside the bag.  Press.  Top stitch around the top of the outside of the bag for a finished look and you have completed this Bumalong Bag tutorial. 

Bumalong bag tutorial
Finished Bag

I hope you enjoyed this simple bag project. If you would like more sewing and crafting projects sign up for our newsletter and receive your free eBook of 15 handbag patterns and tutorials.   

 

 

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8 Comments

  1. Thank you for the instructions on how to make a bumalong bag. I have a question… your instructions say to cut one 10″ x 8″ piece of interfacing and Fuse the interfacing to all three of the exterior pieces. Is that a mistake/typo? Shouldn’t we cut 3 interfacing pieces?

  2. thank you for the clarification! I made the bag and gifted it to my mom! She LOVED it! Now I need to make one for myself! I appreciate you sharing your talents and creating a tutorial!

Looking Forward to Reading your Thoughts on this Project

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