I used to think my mother was silly as she always put her shoulder bag under her coat or cardigan and carried cash in her deep pockets for quick purchases. I tend to put my purse in a zip pocket so no bags.

This is a good size. It has pleats that can expand, but sits rather flat when not much in it. It was easy to make also.

http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/products/sassy-bag

I use a Baggalini purse - designed by stewardesses -- they can be purchased with straps that can't be cut also. Lots of sizes and styles.

I would draft a simple pattern make it the size you want, find a wallet pattern and make one section with slots for credit cards (look at free wallet patterns), the other section can be for essentials like comb and lipstick/chapstick. I think you have a good idea here. I would shop carefully for the strap fabric, maybe go with a chain that can't be easily cut.

I hate to say this, but if I were seriously concerned someone was going to rip or cut off my handbag when I was traveling, I'd get one of those travel bags that has the metal in the straps that can't be cut, and save my sewing and quilting time for other things.

I know this could happen any where, but I guess call me silly, if I was visiting just for a vacation, I would travel to a safer country. I do understand that some of you are visiting family or for business reasons.

look at the All people quilts website, they have a couple of tiny messenger bags, big enough for a cell phone and a wallet. Pretty easy to make, I made 15 as gifts for xmas, they were all very well received and being used when my friends go for walks.

Commercial bags and purses are sold with metal cording in the strap for exactly that reason. When traveling nothing is 100% safe.

Once on a cruise when stopping at a port we were told to duct tape our valuables to our chests. It was meant to be funny, but from what I heard...not really.

also wearing the strap under a coat or jacket is a good idea. even if chain is inside the strap, they can cut you!

Try the Patty Bag by sophisti-cat. Lies very close to body and really holds a lot.A word on fanny packs. Avoid anyone pushing at your front, they could be grapping what's inside. Saw this in a video about traveling in the Baltic states. The women have trays of stuff they want you to look at and a child slicing into the "pack" while you are distracted. I carry small wallets by Valorie Wells and keep my money, CC in there, reserving the Patty for carrying phone, keys, personals. So sorry this happened; you only need to have it happen once and it is a sad lesson. NOT everyone is as nice as Quilters.