Stitch Paisley Whisper Crossbody with Recessed Zipper Add On - ChrisW Designs Pattern Test

The newest pattern from ChrisW Designs is the Whisper Crossbody bag, and it's so fun! There is also an extra add on pack that gives you a recessed zipper and some fun corner accents. The main pattern has a flap that secures both the back phone pocket and the top, but I need a zipper closure for total security!  You could add on the flap to the zipper version, but I think it looks really nice even without it.

My new couch makes for a nice background!

Top view, only a small gap on the ends of the zipper

For this one, I dug into my collection and found a gorgeous paisley vinyl that has little hidden Stitch faces! The vinyl came from a previous round at The Backside of Water, and I was able to sew most of it on my Brother PQ1500sl. I did switch to the Sailrite for the final topstitching, just to save myself any grief. I'm finding that I'm getting more comfortable with the Beast, but I really do need to practice more so it doesn't try to run away with the stitching! 

 

Check out that topstitching, and the mouse rivets!

It's not obvious, but the zipper tape is glittery!

The Whisper is not as 'pocket-ful' as some of the other bags from ChrisW, but it would be super easy to add in some more slip pockets inside, or even a second zipper pocket! Or maybe one of the newer zipper pocket/card slot overlays...  It has one zipper pocket, with a vinyl overlay inside, and the lining is a great fit, if you take the time to make sure it's all the way spread out. I was trying to grab some pics before I lost the daylight, so I didn't get a chance to really wiggle it into the corners and stretch the top up.

Nice and roomy zipper pocket

Which also has a Stitch zipper pull!

Looking down, lots of space inside!  

The outside has a slip pocket that is great for a phone, car keys, or whatever you need handy!

The pocket blends in a bit, and is actually hidden behind the flap when added.

The pattern has instructions to make a nice vinyl/fabric strap, but I accidentally cut other pieces first and my strap would have either been pieced together vinyl, or super short, so I went with a seatbelt webbing strap from Wizardry, Stitchery, and Crafts. It matched the thread I used for topstitching, and the zipper tape (all from WS&C!), and it also gives a little rest from the pattern explosion! I really like the strap connector, since it's on the side you don't have an impossibly thick top for the final topstitching. It's secured by sewing AND 3 rivets!

Connectors also from WS&C - my favorite buckle D rings!

This was a fun pattern to make, and pretty fast since it needs minimal interfacing! I used character cotton for my lining (RIP Joann's) and added SF101 to give it support, plus some on the side gusset pieces since this was a softer vinyl, but depending on the look you want, you could do no interfacing with a soft vinyl for a slouchy style bag, or stiff vinyl for a nicely shaped one. Be sure to check out the new Whisper Crossbody pattern and see all the amazing sample purses the different testers made!