The Cambridge Bag - Paper Pattern - Hammerstitch

The Cambridge Bag is a minimalist waxed canvas purse with five pockets and an adjustable crossbody strap.  It can be made in two sizes, with a canvas or leather strap.  The large size is a great everyday purse, and the small bag is perfect for when you just need to carry the essentials.

Difficulty Level: Confident Beginner

This is a measure-and-cut pattern. All pattern measurements are in inches (imperial). 

Finished Dimensions:  

Small Bag: 8” tall, 9” by 2” at the base.  10” main zipper opening.  

Large Bag: 9.5” tall, 10” by 3” at the base.  12” main zipper opening. 

Crossbody strap extends from 33” to 56”.

This paper sewing pattern is printed in a 5.5" by 8.5" full-colour booklet, and includes inserts for pattern piece labels and leather templates. 

This sewing pattern is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, printed or sold without the author’s permission.  The purchaser may sell bags made from this pattern, but only on a small handmade scale.  Please credit the Cambridge Bag by Hammerstitch Bags in your product listings and social media posts.

See below for material requirements.

Bag Features:

-1 exterior zipper pocket                           

-2 exterior slip pockets                              

-1 interior zipper pocket                           

-1 interior slip pocket

-main zipper opening

-adjustable crossbody strap

Fabric Requirements:

Exterior: 0.5 yards 10-13oz waxed
canvas, or similar weight fabric (based on 60” wide fabric)

Lining: 0.75 yards (0.5 yds for
small bag) of cotton-linen canvas, or quilting cotton (based on 44” wide fabric)

INTERFACING

1.5 yards (1 yd. for small bag)
fusible woven interfacing such as Pellon SF-101 (based on 20” wide)

Leather & Hardware:

70” of 5-6oz leather strapping,
including one continuous 60” piece for the crossbody strap.  I recommend using 1” wide leather for the large bag, and 0.75” wide leather for the small bag. 

(Pattern includes instructions for
making the strap out of waxed canvas, if you prefer a non-leather option).

ZIPPERS

Size #5 Metal zippers:

12”, 8”, 7” (one of each for the
large bag).

10”, 7”, 6” (one of each for the
small bag).

OR size #5 Vinyl zippers-by-the-yard (1 yard and 3 zipper
pulls).

HARDWARE (Use 1” or 0.75” wide hardware, depending on the width of your strap)

-2 Swivel hooks

-2 D-rings

-1 Strap Adjuster (I recommend a
wide-mouth adjuster)

-7 small double-cap rivets (8mm cap, 6mm post)

-4 medium double-cap rivets (9mm cap, 8mm post) 

Tools & Supplies:

Cutting mat, rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, fabric scissors, wonder clips, pins, iron, double-sided tape, fray check, point turner, seam
ripper.

Size 90-14 or 100-16 (denim) needle, and matching thread

Double cap rivet setter and anvil.

Hammer or mallet

1/8” drive punch or rotary punch for making holes in your
leather and fabric.

1/2” drive punch for making leather reinforcement washers (not required if you are making a canvas strap).

Optional:

A poly cutting board to place beneath your fabric and leather
when punching holes.

A tapered awl for marking and making holes in your fabric and
leather.

1” or 0.75” round strap end punch for shaping the ends of
your leather and side-connectors.