Free Cell Phone Bag Pattern • Heather Handmade

Learn how to make a cell phone bag with a free sewing pattern. This tiny crossbody bag is great for essentials and it’s a fun sewing project.

School is out for the summer where I take my kids on lots of different adventures. We love going hiking, visiting museums, swimming, etc. Now that my kids are old enough to not need as much when we are out and they are old enough to carry their own stuff, I hate carrying big bags.

I needed a small bag that would carry my cell phone and a couple of essentials, and so this cell phone bag pattern was created. I was picky about what I needed it to do so that’s why it’s this size with two pockets, and it’s a crossbody bag. Don’t miss the video showing you how to make it and the free PDF sewing pattern at the end of the post!

If this free version is frustrating or confusing, get the UPDATED pattern and tutorial for $8. Or you can get it in the Ulitmate Pattern Bundle!

What is a zipper?

A zipper is two strips of fabric tape with interlocking metal or plastic teeth that are closed or open with a metal or plastic pull or slide. It’s used to fasten clothing and bags.

In this tutorial I use the words “teeth” meaning the interlocking projecting metal or plastic teeth, “zipper tape” meaning the two strips of fabric along each side, and “pull” meaning the slide that connects or disconnects the teeth.

What fabric works for a cell phone bag?

The fabric that works best for a cell phone bag is quilting cotton for both the outer fabric and the lining fabric. There are so many prints that will be fun to use. Add interfacing to give stability to the pouch and help it hold its shape.

What is a PDF sewing pattern?

A PDF pattern is a sewing pattern designed on the computer and organized so that it can be printed on several letter or A4 size pieces of paper.

I love using PDF sewing patterns because if the pattern gets ruined or if my children or I changed sizes, I can always print it again. It’ll never be destroyed since I have a digital version!

How do you use a PDF sewing pattern?

Open the PDF on a computer and click print. When printing make sure that the scaling is set to 100% or no scaling so that the pattern prints at the correct size.

Once the pattern is printed it can be taped together to get the full size. Then the pattern can be cut for each pattern piece size or individual sizes can be traced so that the pattern can be used again and again. Learn how to use PDF sewing patterns.

Do you love to sew? Try some of these fun sewing projects:

How to Make a Cell Phone Bag

Supplies

Free phone bag sewing pattern – get it at the end of the post
Fat quarter of fabric for the outer fabric
Fat quarter of fabric for the lining
Lightweight fusible interfacing
Two 8 inch coil zippers (will be cut smaller about 5 inches)
Two 1/2 inch lobster clasps and D-rings
Sewing tools
Sewing machine

If this free version is frustrating or confusing, get the UPDATED pattern and tutorial for $8. Or you can get it in the Ulitmate Pattern Bundle!

Seam allowance is 3/8 inch.

Cut out the pieces

Cut out all the fabric pieces as the pattern instructs.

From the outer fabric: 1 back, 1 upper front, 1 lower front, and 1 strap.

From the lining fabric: 2 back, 1 upper front, 1 lower front, 2 zipper tabs, and 2 loops.

From the interfacing: 1 back, 1 upper front, 1 lower front, 1 strap, and 1 loops.

Apply the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of all the outer fabric pieces and the loops.

Sew the front zipper

I’m not going into a lot of details about how to sew a zipper but the article I linked to will teach you if you need a little extra help.

Insert one zipper between the upper front and the lower front pieces. The outer fabric will be on the right side of the zipper and the lining will be on the wrong side of the zipper. Make sure to topstitch the fabric away from the zipper.

Pull the zipper pull to the center of the zipper. Baste down the sides of the front pieces. Trim off the excess zipper on each side.

baste sides of front over zipper and trim off zipper excess

Sew the top zipper

Pull the zipper pull to the center of the other zipper. Use the zipper guide to cut the zipper to the right size.

Add the zipper tabs to each side of the zipper. It’s like sewing bias binding with the raw edges inside and the fabric wrapped around. (See how I added zipper tabs in this zipper pouch sewing project.)

Insert the zipper with tabs between the front and back pieces. The front piece has the zipper added, and there will be two lining pieces so the front will actually have three layers of fabric.

The outer fabric will be on the right side of the zipper and the lining will be on the wrong side of the zipper.

Make sure to topstitch the fabric away from the zipper.

insert top zipper between front and back pieces

This is what the inside looks like.

Sew the strap and the loops

Take the loops and the strap. Fold them in half with the long sides matching. Fold the long edges into the middle fold and fold all three folds (like bias binding). Press all three folds in place.

Sew along the long edges 1/8 inch from the edge to secure and enclose the raw edges.

fold loops and straps like bias binding and sew along each long side

Slide the lobster clasp onto each end of the strap. Fold the short end of the strap over 1/4 inch and then again 1/2 inch around the loop of the clasp.

Fold the loops in half and slide the D-ring onto each. Clip the loop with D-ring 1/2 inch below the zipper on the front of the bag. Make sure you are clipping to ONLY the front fabric and not the big lining piece.

Baste the loops in place.

Sew the bag

Grab the two front pieces and bring them right sides together. Pin. Grab the two lining pieces and bring them right sides together. Pin.

One side will be lining fabric and the other side with be the outer pieces, and the top zipper will be in the middle.

pin right sides of front and right sides of back together

Make sure the zipper is folded towards the outer fabric.

zipper should be folded towards the front fabric

Starting at the bottom of the lining, sew around the whole bag and pivot at the corners. Leave a two inch hole to turn the bag right side out and backstitch when you start and when you stop.