Easy DIY Fanny Pack Pattern Tutorial

Tools and materials:

• Old pair of jeans
• Heavyweight interfacing
• 8 inch (20 cm) zipper
• Decorative zipper pull
• 2 D-rings
• 40 inch (100 cm) long woven strap
• Sew-on or glue-on appliques (optional)
• Paper for pattern
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Fabric marker
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

1. DIY fanny pack pattern

On a sheet of paper, draw a rectangle 9 inches (22 cm) by 6 inches (15 cm) for the front and back panels. You’ll cut two of these.

Draw another rectangle 15 inches (38 cm) long by 1.5 inches (4 cm) wide for the side and zipper panel.

If necessary, join several strips of paper together to get the length you need. You’ll cut two of these as well.

The pattern for the four strap loops is shaped like a triangle with the tip cut off. Draw it 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide at the base tapering to 1.5 inches (4 cm) wide at the top with sides of 2.5 inches (6 cm).

2. Cut out the pieces

I centered each piece horizontally over the inner leg seam to add some interest and texture.

Cut the front and back panels and loops from one leg of the jeans and the side panels from the other leg.

Cut all the pieces from heavyweight interfacing as well.

3. Insert the zipper

For ease of sewing, use the strip without the leg seam for the zipper panel.

Fold it in half lengthways and cut in two along the fold.

Pin and sew each piece along the side of the zipper tape with the right sides together. Press the seam flat.

4. Add the interfacing

Cut the interfacing in the same way and sew to the wrong side of the fabric on the zipper panel.

Sew the interfacing to the wrong side of the other panels.

Sew the zipper and side panels together along both short sides, with the right sides together.

5. Attach the straps

Cut the strap in half.

Sandwich one end of each part of the strap between two of the loop attachments, with the right side of the attachments together.

Sew together along the side and short edges.

Trim the excess fabric and turn the attachments right side out and top stitch the seams.

Pin and sew the strap loops to the back panel, with the raw edges of the loop aligned with the short edges of the panel.

6. Assemble the bag panels

Notch the center of the short sides of the back panel.

Pin one long edge of the side panel to the back panel, matching the side panel seams to the notches and with the right sides together.

Pin the front panel to the other long edge of the side panel.

Sew the side panel to the back and front panels.

Turn the bag right side out through the zipper.

7. Attach the D rings

Place one end of the strap through both D rings together and sew in place near the end.

Finish the other end of the strap with a narrow hem.

Feed the free end of the strap under both D rings.

Fold it back on itself and pass it back through the first D ring, to make the strap length adjustable.

8. Finishing

Add a decorative pull tab to the zipper.

Optionally, add sew-on or glue-on appliques to the front panel.

DIY fanny pack

You can wear this as a crossbody bag, a shoulder bag or a fanny pack. It’s large enough to take your essential items and small enough not to look bulky.

You can of course substitute any firm fabric from the denim, but it’s fun for me to find new ways to use old jeans.

I hope you enjoy making this simple DIY fanny pack and I’d love to know what you think of it in the comments.

Next, learn How to DIY a Cute and Easy Corset Top.