Close-to-the-body purse ideas please!
 

Last year in Santiago, Chile, some thief sliced into my shoulder bag on a busy street and stole what they could grab from inside my purse. I was pleased that all they managed to get was my tiny make-up kit (lipstick, chap stick, emery boards, comb, etc.) I like to think of them counting on a wallet or a passport and getting just my little junk.

For our next trip, I would like to make a bag that hangs in the front on a long strap, like a messenger bag but much smaller. That way, I can hold it close and perhaps under a jacket, but in front so it would be readily accessible to me but hard for a thief to get to. Should be big enough for passport, maybe a tour book and sun glasses, but not bulky.

So-o-o (end of long story) I am looking for a pattern, free or commercial for such a bag. Any suggestions?

I recently made one. At first I had grandiose plans with several of my favorite color cottons, but in the end, found it easier to use a square of upholstery remnant. Lined it and put a magnetic closure on the inside. I saw many that had zippered outer pockets, but didn't want the inconvenience, so I just folded a piece of fabric so the fold was the top, eliminating the need to hem it, and placed it on the front at an angle before sewing the side seams. It's a flat pocket for the room key or other cards. My advice is to wear it around for a day. I found that it was just a bit too long, and irritated my leg, so I came home and cut some length off the handle before its second use.

perhaps something like a "fanny" pack that goes around your waist would work?

I use a "biker wallet" a leather wallet with a chain . they make smaller ones for lady bikers :)

i made one a few years ago .....we got the pattern in paducha [the girlfriend has the pattern but it was a FLIP FLOP BAG the pockets could be changed around had a long strap and sounds like what you need ....

i made one a few years ago .....we got the pattern in paducha [the girlfriend has the pattern but it was a FLIP FLOP BAG the pockets could be changed around had a long strap and sounds like what you need ....i made myself a paper pattern off it .........

Be careful of jewelery also. My daughter had someone rip her necklace off through an open window of a private car in Peru. It had great sentimental value and she was sad to have lost it.

I do not have a bag pattern, but unfortunately, thievery goes on all over the world. When we were in Scandinavia, we were warned to put locks on backpacks because the thieves worked in groups of three - one to distract you, one to steal from the backpack, and the third person took the stolen items and dropped them in a post box so no evidence existed that they had committed a crime.

ok sorry for the double post but i got the hook up on the pattern.....it is at www.jeanycreations.com .....good luck ...have fun