Introducing the Monarch Mini Crossbody Bag! This bag transforms from a sleek, compact crossbody to a dog walking bag with optional side pockets and a waist strap!
I was challenged (MANY times!) in the DUMD Facebook group to design a dog walking bag, but I know that not everyone had a dog and I wanted to make something more versatile than that. A lot of people put a grommet in the Zip and Go, so I wanted to go completely different direction. I had a design started with similar angles and construction but a completely different size and purpose, so I tried making a small one and it was fantastic! I simplified things a bit to make it an easy-enough sew, and it was an instant winner! I did beg them to let me leave off the dispenser pocket, but they insisted, so (optional) poop-bag-dispenser pocket it has!
I totally lucked out on timing when Geek Garden Fabric offered me this fabric for a strike sew for their Geeky Holiday Round. To show this is more than just a dog walking bag, I set the strap tabs into the top side seams and used this metallic Rex vinyl from Emmaline Bags. I love it so much!
I hope these help you get a feel for the size and function. It’s small but it can hold a Zip Around Town Wallet or two large diapers and a travel pack of wipes. It can even hold an iPad Mini 6! The bottom is boxed for simple construction and the inside zippered pocket is done the “easy” way so that you can skip the zipper and just have one simple slip pocket, but still have a pocket to turn the bag through. Remember, I sew all of my makes on my domestic Bernina – so if I made it, you can too!
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THANK YOU TESTERS!!! My pattern testers went all in for this test and the results are just beautiful. They are amazing people. I think they did a fantastic job representing this bag from all different styles and abilities. Here we see cork, laminated cotton, vinyl, waxed canvas, denim from upcycled jeans, and quilting cotton. Most chose two mesh pockets, which is what I think will be the most common choice in general. I love all of them! Thank you so much!
These belong to Sandy Tyler from @rosiewaydesign. These colors are just gorgeous!
Lindsay from @lindshandmade made this stroller caddy version for her little guy’s stroller. He’s just a cutest little kid and this bag speaks for itself! Amazing!
Marianne Cant (@picperficuk) deconstructed some jeans to make this and the added pink and lime accents are super fun. She made a Card, Cash & Coin combo to match, too! (I’m a mini wallet fan so I think this is the best!)
Carrie Strain made this canvas and quilting cotton version, and made a TikTok! Too fun!
Candy (everyone’s favorite Grandma G!) made this waxed canvas and quilting cotton version for a friend’s dog named Cowboy, and it couldn’t be more perfect!
Sharon Welling made this super cute Kermit version for the back of her son’s wheelchair. I’m thrilled that this bag is the right size for this!
Margareth from @maggiemadebags used this gorgeous purple vinyl and quilting cotton pockets. SO FUN!
Ruth made this one for herself to replace her enlarged Encore Clutch and I am so happy that all of the small bag people have another choice! And yay for happy Hedgehogs!
Do you have a pattern for this bag?
I love Sandy Tyler’s bag, she used Splash Fabric I think! So cute