How to Make a Small Adventure Ready Bag

I made this bag for use on days when my pockets don't fit everything, or I don't have pockets. This bag helps you to avoid having to shove all your belongings into your pockets while maintaining a lightweight discrete look. Its adjustable strap allows it to be worn as an over-the-shoulder sling bag or as a fanny pack. This has become my go-to bag for my phone, wallet, and keys most places I go.

Ripstop Nylon Fabric

I used two different colors. The camo I got from a remnants box and the grey is left over from a lightweight backpack project. This is a great project for scrap fabric and using different types of fabric could allow for some really cool versions.

Zipper

550 Paracord

1/4 inch and 3/4 grosgrain ribbon

Sewing machine

Fabric Scissors

Lighter

Heavy Duty Thread

From the main color of the fabric cut two rectangles of 6.5 inches by 9 inches. This allows for a 0.5-inch seam allowance. From the secondary piece of fabric cut a trapezoid that starts 0.5 inches from the top of the main color rectangle and ends 3 inches from the top of the rectangle. The bottom and the sides of the trapezoid should match the main color rectangle. Then you need to cut two zippers from the roll, one being 8 inches (for the top) and the other 7 inches (for the front pocket). You will also need two smaller squares of the main fabric of 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches.

First, lay the zipper across the trapezoidal piece and draw a straight line about 0.5 inches shorter than the zipper on both sides. Then at the end draw two short lines 45 degrees out on both sides. Cut this along the lines. Lay the zipper face up underneath the hole and twist the top of the cut underneath itself to the zipper, then clip and sew. After sewing with good sides together, flip it right sides up. Repeat this process at the bottom of the whole. Tuck the triangle underneath the fabric and top stich around the whole zipper. This might not be the most efficient way to insert a zipper but it works for me!

Line the front pocket up with the sides and bottom of one of the main fabric rectangles. Draw a line along the top of the front pocket. Flip the front pocket over on top of the panel and sew it down along that line. Flip it back over the right way and topstitch the seam.

Confirm that the zipper is about 0.5 inches shorter than the front panel on both sides. Sew the small squares to both sides of the zipper and then flip over and top stitch. Then line up the front panel, good sides together with the zipper, and sew. Then flip it out and topstitch the top. Do the same with the back panel making sure that the sides line up with the front panel.

Cut two 1-1.5-inch pieces of 1/4-inch grosgrain webbing. These will make what we attach the cord to. Place them facing in on the front side of the panel. I put mine right under the topstitching of the zipper. Sew these down so they don't move while sewing.

Line up both sides to each other so that the zipper is in the center at the top. Clip then sew. After sewing, I recommend burning the edges with a lighter a bit to guarantee the security of the fabric and webbing. Then using the 3/4 inch webbing bind the edges. Flip it inside out and you are almost done.

For cord pulls cut two pieces of about 6-inch long paracord. Then to make them a bit less rigid but the white rope out of the inside of the paracord. Thread them through the zipper then tie an overhand knot. Do this for the top and front zippers.

The final step is to add the strap for the bag. I like my strap to be adjustable, so I use a half-triple fisherman knot. an alternative for this could be using a cord lock. Thread it through the black ribbon from inside to out, Then wrap it around the other side of the string three times and then thread it back up through the middle. Make sure to secure the edges of your cord by burning it. The length of cord I used was 54 inches long. This was short enough so it could still tighten around my waist to work as a fanny pack and operate as an over-shoulder bag.

That's it!!! Hope you enjoy your new versatile small bag. Thanks for following along!