Make Your Own Chic Crossbody Bag with Design Doodler

Who says accessories can’t be personal and stylish? In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a cute and versatile small crossbody bag using your Design Doodler software and embroidery machine. 

Choose your favorite fabrics and thread colors to design a bag that perfectly matches your vibe—edgy, playful, or effortlessly chic. These bags aren’t just fun to make; they’re perfect for switching up your look or gifting to someone special. Let’s dive in and create a bag as unique as you are!

• 2 pieces 8”x8” vinyl
• 2 pieces of 8”x8” craft felt or cotton fabric
• 2 pieces of 8”x8” bonding agent such as Heat and Bond
• 5”x5” vinyl
• 5”x5” craft felt or cotton fabric
• 5×5” piece of bonding agent such as Heat and Bond
• Temporary Adhesive Spray
• Tear Away stabilizer
• Painters tape
• Design Doodler
  • New to the Doodler? Give the free Design Doodler demo a try, and start creating your own embroidery designs! While you won’t be able to stitch them out, it’s a great way to explore all the features and get a feel for what’s possible. Includes 5 video lessons!
• Download your artwork below

This is the layout of the artwork:

TIP: We found it easy to cut the vinyl, Heat and Bond, and Felt/Cotton fabric slightly larger and then trim with a rotary cutter to size for a super smooth edge

Let’s create this easy design!

Step 1: Insert your artwork.

1. Select the load backdrop icon
2. Navigate to your file location
3. Choose your file
4. Resize to 250×240 (the artwork size is larger than the final image)

Step 2: Create your placement line.

1. Select the running stitch brush
2. Choose square shape
3. Doodle your placement line

Step 3: Create your pocket placement line.

1. Select the running stitch brush
2. Select line option
3. Doodle your pocket placement

Step 4: Create your pocket top stitch line. It is the same as the placement line. Simply copy it and paste it in place. Make it a different color so the machine stops.

1. Choose the run bean brush
2. Select the line option
3. Doodle your tack down line

Step 5: Create your bag loop tack lines.

1. Select the running bean brush
2. Select the line option
3. Doodle both tack lines for your loops.

Step 6: Create your final stitching line.

1. Select run bean brush
2. Choose the line option
3. Doodle the final placement line

Step 7: You’re done! Save your file as a .jdx file (the native file format for the Design Doodler). Save an additional file in your machine’s format.

Step 1: Start by adhering the felt or cotton fabric to the back of your vinyl.  

DO NOT IRON THE VINYL SIDE OF YOUR SQUARE!  ALWAYS WORK FROM THE BACK SIDE WITH A MEDIUM IRON

Step 2: Trim so you have a clean edge, and then set aside.

Step 3: Hoop a piece of tear-away stabilizer.

Step 4: Insert into your machine and the stitch placement line.

Step 5: Remove the hoop from the machine and place the 8×8 square of vinyl within the placement line. Use painter’s tape or temporary embroidery spray to keep it in place.  Make sure to line up the clean-cut edge of the 8×8 vinyl/felt square with the top of the placement line.

Step 6: Return to the machine and stitch the pocket placement line. Remove the machine from the workstation and use painter’s tape to place a line ¼ inches from the placement line.

Step 7: Position your 5×5-inch fabric using your painter’s tape line.

Step 8: Stitch your pocket.

Step 9: Create your loops using a 1-inch wide vinyl strip, fold them in half, and stitch them closed with a sewing machine. Trim if desired.

Step 10: Tack down the loops at the top of your bag using a small piece of painter’s tape to hold them folded. Place the tape along the line of the top of the pocket.

Step 11: Place the other piece of 8” x 8” vinyl/felt on the front of the design, ensuring the vinyl is face down and the felt side is upward. 

Step 12: Stitch the outline of your bag.

Step 13: Remove from hoop and remove tearaway stabilizer.

Step 14: Trim your bag to ¼ inch, cutting close to the corners.

Step 15: Turn your bag right side out so the finished side is displayed. Securely attach your strap to complete the bag.

We used some old piping and tied a double knot.

And there you have it—a gorgeous, custom-made crossbody bag that’s as unique as you are! 

By following this tutorial, you’ve not only created a functional and stylish accessory but also discovered how versatile and fun the Design Doodler software can be. Whether you keep this bag for yourself or gift it to someone special, you’ve added a personal touch that’s one of a kind. 

If you haven’t yet, don’t miss out—try a free demo of the Design Doodler software to see how easy it is to create your own personalized designs!

If you create this project, we’d love for you to share it with us in our Facebook Embroidery Design Doodler Software Official Group.

Until next time, happy doodling!