The Parkes Crossbody Bag: Release, Bonus Book Sleeve & Tester Round Up

Twelve Days of Giveaways are in full swing at PSCo and Day 3 is delivering something big with the Parkes Crossbody Bag! This versatile crossbody bag is ready to accompany you on all your adventures!

Parkes features a roll top with a buckle closure and optional snaps to keep your items secure, while outer pockets keep your essentials handy! The adjustable strap with swivel clips provides increased comfort, laying perfectly across your body!

The Parkes Crossbody bag offers four different sizes. The small size is perfect to carry just what you need to the market or your favorite festival. It is also great for kids! The medium and large are your every day go-to sizes and range in use from brunch with the besties to a hike on your favorite trail.

We said Day 3 was delivering something big and we meant it! The extra-large bag was built to hold all the things. Pack this one full for an overnight trip! We bet you’ll fit a lot in there! Speaking of overnight trips, omit the straps on the small size for the perfect cosmetic or toiletry bag!

But, that isn’t all! We have a little bonus for you as well! Check out this tutorial to use the small size Parkes to make a book sleeve to protect your favorite reads on the go!

I think you will agree, Parkes is ready for adventure! Where will you go?

✂ Supplies needed for this project

• The Parkes Crossbody Bag pattern and tutorial
• Bonus Book Sleeve Pattern- Get it by clicking the format you'd like to the right (Projector or Print)
• Non-stretch woven fabric such as cotton, ripstop, canvas, denim, corduroy, etc. (Main: 1/2 yard, Lining: 1/2 yard)
• Fusible Fleece Interfacing for the main and Fusible woven interfacing (Ex. Pellon SF101) for the lining (~1/2-1 yd each depending on WOF)
• 1" Webbing
• 1" slider buckle or hardware of choice
• Optional: Rivets to secure webbing
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat
• Basic Sewing Supplies (Pins or clips, sewing machine/serger, thread, thread snips, etc.)

Read through the Parkes Crossbody Bag Tutorial and gather supplies before getting started.

The following pieces are needed from the Parkes Crossbody Bag Pattern:

• (2) Outer Shell in Main and Interfacing
• (2) Outer Pocket Pieces in Main and 1 in Interfacing

The following pieces are needed from the Parkes Bonus Book Sleeve pattern:

• (2) Outer Side Pieces in Main and Interfacing
• (1) Outer Bottom in Main and Interfacing
• (2) Lining in Lining and Interfacing

Also needed:

• (1) 13" of 1" Webbing for the front
• (1) 18" of 1" Webbing for the back

The Parkes Crossbody Bag Tutorial will be used for the majority of construction.

• Step 1: Complete steps 1-8 in the pattern tutorial to begin constructing the outer shell. *Note: For step 8, there is only one bottom piece for the book sleeve, so it will only be sewn to one outer shell piece at this time. See step 1 picture below for reference.
• Step 2: Complete steps 13-18 in the pattern tutorial to add the side pieces. *Note: The sides of the book sleeve are one piece instead of two for the crossbody bag. See step 2 picture below for reference.
• Step 3: Line the unsewn long edge of the outer bottom to the bottom raw edge of the other outer shell piece. Pin or clip. Sew in place. See step 3 picture below for reference.
• Step 4: Complete steps 20-21 to finish the sewing the outer shell.
• Step 5: Complete step 25 to add interfacing to the lining.
• Step 6: Complete steps 27-28 to construct the lining.
• Step 7 : Complete steps 29-3 to finish constructing the sleeve.
• Step 8: Add hardware of choice to the straps. My personal choice is a slider buckle shown in steps 34-35 of the tutorial.

Congrats! You made the Parkes Bonus book sleeve! I hope you love it as much as I do!

As always, we could not make these fabulous patterns without the help of our amazing tester team! We are so grateful for all their help making our visions come to life. 

Let's take a look at all their incredible Parkes crossbody bags!