The Burcham Bag Pattern

The Burcham is a designer-inspired crossbody bag large enough for the essentials, but small enough to wear comfortably.  It is a beginner-friendly pattern that will help you improve your basic bag-making skills.

Cotton, cotton canvas, faux leather, or genuine leather can be used to construct this bag. One exterior fabric can be used for the entire bag, or a contrasting fabric can be used for the crossbody strap and strap connectors.

Waterproof canvas, cotton, linen, or other similar materials can be used for the interior lining. If using cotton or linen for the lining, the pieces will need to be backed with woven interfacing like SF101, Wovenfuse, or other similar weight interfacing. 

In addition, a stabilizer is needed to give the bag firmness. Decovil Light or other similar weight stabilizer should be used to stabilize the exterior of the bag but should remain outside of your seam allowances. Decovil Heavy, Peltex, or other similar weight stabilizer can be used to stabilize the base of the bag.

Finished Size - 7.5"W x 7.5"H x 3"D

Skill Level - Confident Beginner

Materials List

• 1/2 yard of material for the exterior (if you are using vinyl, faux leather, or cork, this is two 18” rolls. If you want to use contrasting fabric, one 18” roll of main and one 18” roll of accent fabric are needed)
• 1/2 yard of woven interfacing for the exterior (if using cotton, cotton canvas, or other similar-weight fabric)
• 1/4 yard of lining material
• 1/4 yard of woven interfacing for the lining (if using cotton, linen, or other similar fabric)
• 11" x 16" Decovil Light stabilizer
• 3” x 8” Decovil Heavy stabilizer

Hardware

• 1 – #5 Zipper cut to 13”                                 
• 2 – #5 Zipper cut to 8”                                   
• 2 – 1” D-Rings                                                
• 2 – 1” Swivel Clasps                                       
• 1 – 1” Slide Adjuster                                  
• 1 – Zipper End
• 2 – 12mm Rivets (for strap connectors)
• 1 – ½” Swivel Clasp (optional key fob)         
• Rivets (optional for slip pockets)
• Base coat and edge paint as indicated (optional)