How to make a sacoche

1. Materials & tools

Materials (phone-and-wallet size)

• Main fabric (nylon, canvas or cotton) — about 30 × 50 cm (12 × 20 in)
• Strap webbing or fabric — about 4 × 120 cm (1.5 × 47 in)
• 1 zipper or a magnetic snap for the closure

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Bags” → “Sacoche” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the finished width and height (and the shoulder strap length).
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the cut line and seam line onto the wrong side of the fabric.
2. Cut
   Cut 2 (front and back). Cut a strap, or use ready-made webbing.
3. Finish the edges
   Zigzag or serge the side and bottom edges to stop fraying.

4. Sewing

4-1. Add the closure

1. If using a zipper, attach it across the top edges of the front and back as for a zipper pouch. For a magnetic snap, fix the two halves to the facings before assembling.
2. If using a zipper, open it halfway so you can turn the bag later.

4-2. Attach the strap

1. Pin the strap ends to the top side seams (between front and back), right sides together, so the strap hangs inside.
2. Make sure the strap is not twisted.

4-3. Sew the bag

1. Place front and back right sides together and sew the two sides and the bottom, catching the strap ends in the side seams.
2. Trim the corners, turn right side out (through the open zipper), and push the corners out. Press.

5. Tips & variations

• Adjustable strap: add a slider buckle to change the length.
• Inside pocket: sew a patch pocket to the lining or back before assembling.
• Water-resistant: use nylon or laminated fabric for an outdoor-friendly bag.