Front Construction and Assembly:
- For this process, you will use the outer fabric cut from pattern pieces B, C and D .
- If not already done, cut the top, middle and bottom pattern pieces from outer fabric.
- From the stabilizer, also cut the 3 front pattern pieces.
- Trim away ½” from the seam allowance on the horizontal seams and ⅜” around the edges. (If thick stabilizer extends to the edges, the final seams will be too thick to sew with most sewing machines as the seams will be too bulky).
- Using any method you choose, quilt the outer fabric to the stabilizer. I chose straight lines spaced 1-¼” apart.
- Turn under ½” on the horizontal zipper seams and press.
- Attach the front zippers by top-stitching close to the fold line. Note: Insert the zippers before cutting the excess zipper length.
- After cutting the zipper to size, remember to tack the end of the zipper so the pull doesn’t slide off. If so, you might not be able to replace the pull. Ask me how I know this!
- When both zippers are sewn, press. Depending on your fabric and zipper installation method, the assembled front outer piece may be larger than the master pattern. Lay the master pattern on top and if needed, trim edges to match the master pattern.
Front Pocket Bags:
- Bag/pocket for bottom zipper: From lining fabric, cut 1 bottom front pattern piece. Match the edges and pin or clip in place. Note: The bag lining will form the second side of this pocket bag..
- Turn under and press at the top seam line, then sew lining piece to bottom zipper tape, creating a second line of sewing.
- Trim any edges which don’t line up with the outer front piece.
- Bag/pocket for upper zipper: This pocket bag is shorter and can be used for small items such as lip balm, nail file, key cards, etc. Cut two pieces of lining the width of the bag and 3-4” deep (alternatively this could be a single piece of fabric – I just used some scraps which were not large enough to make the pocket bag from a single piece of fabric).
- Attach to the top lip of the zipper by topstitching a second line of stitching to the zipper.
- Similarly, attach the bottom of the bag to the bottom zipper tape by top-stitching a second line of stitching on the front of the zipper.
- Attach the top of the bag to the upper zipper tape.
- Sew the bottom to close the bag.
- Again, match up to the master pattern and trim any edges that hang over the sides of the outer front.
- You now have completed the front outer section of the Crossbody Travel Bag. Set it aside and feel proud of your work.
Next up, you’ll sew the front lining, so watch for that post.
FabriCate & Mira 
I’ve been having a bit of difficulty understanding this step and would like to make a suggestion. Your first bullet point on this step should read
“For this process, you will use the outer fabric cut from the following pattern pieces: bag front upper section, bag front mid section, and bag front bottom section.”
I’ve looked all over and you must have forgotten to add the letters to those pieces so naming them by name would help a bunch. I know I should have intuitively known what you meant, but for some reason it just was a mental stumbling block for me. I’m altering the pattern to make the bag a little shorter and decided while I was at it I wanted to change the pockets to suit my individual preferences so there may have just been too many things going for my brain to process those steps. Thank you for offering this pattern. I’ve been wanting a bag like this for a while and your generosity was just the impetus I needed to get going on it.
Thank you for the feedback. I’ll go back and take a look at the documents in a few days as I’m away for a few days. You may have noticed that I pre-empted this tutorial with a note that I don’t have the skills of a professional pattern maker, so I’m afraid you may have gotten caught in that snag. My apologies. Hoping your bag works out and please continue to provide feedback.