How to Make an Embroidered Crossbody Purse

Skip the store and make something fashionable for yourself with our tutorial for making a machine embroidered crossbody purse! We used faux leather, but you can use any fabric that you choose. Gather your supplies, and follow along with the steps below to learn more.

To start print a pattern using the downloadable PDF provided at the beginning of this tutorial. After printing, line up the pattern pieces using the registration marks, then secure the pieces together with tape.

We recommend using designs that will fit within a 5" x 7" hoop for this project. Circular shaped designs will work best.

Spray the wrong side of your main fabric pieces with temporary spray adhesive (these will be used for the front piece, back piece, and side pieces of the bag), then smooth onto piece of cut away stabilizer. The exterior front flap piece will be done separately after embroidering. 

Trace the patterns onto your main fabric and stabilizer with a marking tool of your choice. 

Cut out each piece, being careful to follow any instructions located on the pattern pieces. At this time, do not cut out a piece for the exterior side of the front flap. 

The previous steps for the lining pieces, and cut out all the lining pieces, including the front flap lining piece.

Next, trace the front purse flap pattern piece onto your front flap fabric. 

Print a template of your chosen embroidery design using embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, you can also cut a piece of plain paper to the dimensions of your design, then draw a vertical and horizontal line through the center point. Then draw crosshairs through the center of your purse flap fabric with your marking tool. The pattern piece for the purse flap has these marked for your convenience. 

Hoop the stabilizer and fabric with the crosshairs centered.

Center the needle on the crosshairs and begin to sew out the design.

Follow the color change sheet to embroider the rest of the design.

After sewing, remove from the hoop and cut out the design.  

Sew the main purse flap fabric to the purse flap liner with right sides together. Leave the top open for turning.