My step daughter, Carmen, has been waiting and waiting for her messenger bag.  We ended up having some girl time {yes, no boys…yay!} on Saturday, so I/we whipped up a new bag for school.  I spent a little time reviewing online tutorials and found some cute stuff {links at the end}.  I didn’t follow any one design or idea, so here’s what I/we did.  Mind you, Carmen picked out the fabric and overall vibe.  You can customize this bag for any style and age.  I’ll be making myself a grown up version next.  Also, I determined the messenger bag’s measurements by measuring her current backpack, which was 14″ wide X 16″ long.  Simply adjust my directions if you’d like something larger/smaller.  Also, quilting the outer bag, pockets, and eyelet lace trim are completely optional.  There are so many ways to customize a bag, you’ll have to be creative on your own…and that’s what makes it so fun.  That goes for fabric choices too.  Check out this wool messenger bag…oh I love!  So have a little fun with it.

Needed Items:

Bag:

2, 17″ X 15″ Outer Bag Rectangles

2, 17″ X 15″ Inner Bag Rectangles

2, 17″ X 15″ Felt Rectangles

1, Inner Pocket Rectangle

2, Strips of Fusible Interfacing

1, Zipper

2 Elastic Bands (Interior Bag Water Bottle Holder)

1 Button

Flip Top:

1, 15″ X 12″ Outer Flip Top Rectangle

1, 15″ X 12″ Inner Flip Top Rectangle

1, 15″ X 12″ Felt Rectangle

Eyelet Lace/Trim

1, Desired Length of Button Loop Elastic

Strap:

1, 10″ X Desired Length Strap Rectangle

1, 2 1/2″ X Desired Length Felt Strip

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step 1:

Cut out 2 outer bag rectangles, 2 inner bag rectangles, and 2 felt rectangles: 17″ wide X 15″ long.

{Also pictured is the inner pocket & zipper, we’ll talk about that later}

Step 2:

Putting your inner bag fabric to the side, lay your outer fabric onto the felt.  {If you don’t want to quilt, skip to Step 4 now.}  You can see that I’ve used pins to baste, but you could use safety pins/basting pins.  I was opting for a quicker method and opted out completely for the 2nd round.  I didn’t have a problem since the rectangles are relatively small.  But I have a lot of experience quilting.  If you don’t and are worried about puckering/shifting…baste with basting pins or spray to be safe.

Step 3:

Free motion quilt your outer bag fabric & felt.  You may do this in whatever pattern you prefer.

Step 4:

Place the right sides together and stitch {1/2″ inseam} around 3 sides of your rectangle, leaving the top of the bag open.  If you have fabric tags with your name/logo, don’t forget to set them in place before you stitch.  Please back stitch when you start and end your runs to secure the stitching.

Step 5:

Push the bottom corners of your bag together making a triangle.  Measure 2″ in from the corner and using a ruler, mark a line.  Stitch along this line, back stitching at the start and finish.  Do this to both corners.

Step 6:

1/2″ from the stitched line, trim off the corner & discard.

Step 7:

Turn the bag right side out & set aside.  We’ll be working on the flip top next.

Name/Logo tag.

Step 8:

Cut 1 outer flip top rectangle, 1 inner flip top rectangle, and 1 felt rectangle: 15″ wide X 12″ long.  As in Step 2 & 3, set aside the inner flip top rectangle.  Place the outer flip top rectangle on the felt rectangle, baste {if you prefer}, and quilt {if desired}.  Skip to Step 10 if you don’t want to quilt.

Step 9:

Free motion quilt your outer flip top fabric & felt.  You may do this in whatever pattern you prefer.

Step 10:

Using any desired radius {use a cup or bowl}, mark a curve around the 2 bottom corners.  Using scissors, cut along your marked curve.  You’ll be trimming your inner flip top rectangle in the exact same way, so it’s a good idea to layer them and cut all at one time.  Again, after cutting rounded corners, set aside your inner flip top fabric rectangle.  If don’t want to add eyelet lace or trimming, skip to Step 13.

Step 11:

Pin your eyelet lace/trimming right side facing right side of fabric.  Leave a little extra on both ends.  Baste stitch 1/4″ in from the raw edge.

Step 12:

It’s very easy to fudge up the eyelet lace corners during Step 13, so I like to pin them down to make sure they don’t budge while I’m sewing.  If you pin along the bottom of the lace, you don’t run the risk of sewing over the pins.

Step 13:

Lay the inner flip top fabric rectangle, with rounded corners, on the outer flip top with right sides facing each other.  Pin in place.  If you plan on using a button closure, look ahead to Step 15.  There you will see a rounded elastic loop.  If you plan on this technique or any other type of loop, you’ll need to secure it in place now.  Stitch in 1/2″ from the raw edge around the flip top, leaving the top open.  Please back stitch at beginning and end, also back stitch a few times were you’ve secured a loop if applicable.  Stitch slowly around the curved corners for the best results.

Step 14:

Cut slits around the 2 bottom corners.  Be careful not to cut into your stitching.

Step 15:

Turn the flip top right side out and iron flat.  Stitch in 1/2″ from the eyelet lace as shown, leaving the top open.  Please back stitch at beginning and end.  Stitch slowly around the curved corners for best results.  Place the flip top to the side.  We’ll be working on the strap next.

Step 16:

There are certainly ways to make the strap adjustable, but this bag is for my 7 year old; she didn’t want to bother with that.  Therefore, the strap’s length will be dependent on the individual using the bag.  You will cut the width at 10″.  You’ll also need a 2 1/2″ strip of felt X length of strap.

Step 17:

Placing the 2 1/2″ felt strip aside, iron the 10″ strap in half.  Open, and fold both sides in towards the center crease.  Iron again.

Step 18:

Open one flap and insert the 2 1/2″ felt strip.  Fold the flap over.  Now, fold the strip in half so that you have 2 1/2″ of width.  I forgot to take a picture of the next step, darn!  You’ll need to pin along the open edge matching up the edges neatly.  Then, stitch along the opened edge, closing it up.  I chose to add additional lines of stitching for added interest.  Skip to Step 19 for a visual.

Step 19:

It’s time to pin your exterior bag, flip top, and strap together…wow, it’s looking like a bag now!  Match the center of the strap to the seam running up the side of the bag and pin in place as shown.  Do this to the other side, making sure the strap isn’t twisted.  Before you pin on your flip top, make sure you take note of which direction your name/logo tag is facing.  That will determine which side your flip top will go.  Now pin your flip top to the exterior of the bag, right sides facing each other and pin.  The edge of the flip top and straps should be nearly touching on both sides, but not overlapping.  If you have eyelet lace, make sure it is pinned to the outside of the strap and not stuck underneath.

Step 20:

Baste in 1/4″ from the raw edge to secure, trim any excess lace, and place aside.  We’ll be working on the inner bag next.

Step 21:

Ready for the inner pocket?  If not, please skip to Step 25.  You’ll need 2 strips of fusible interfacing that is a bit longer and wider than your zipper.  I’m using a 12″ zipper that I cut down to 10-11″.  However, use any size you prefer.  The pocket can also be any size.  Just make sure it fits within the inner bag rectangle and that your pocket and zipper size are compatible.  I used the left over scraps from my exterior fabric for my pocket.  Just cut a rectangle in the size your desire.  You’ll be flipping it up in half, so keep that in mind.  Now take the strips of fusible interfacing and iron one to the wrong side of your pocket material and the other to the wrong side of your inner bag rectangle.  The interfacing should end up lining up in the same place when you lay/face the pocket material and inner bag material together, right sides facing each other.  Now, sketch a rectangle.  The length will be determined by your zipper.  If your zipper is really long, don’t worry about it {See Step 23}.  You can trim it down to your desired length.  The sketched rectangle width is just shy of 1/2″.

Step 22:

Stitch along your rectangle.  Again, always back stitch at beginning and end.  Note, do not sew beyond your rectangle, that will screw you up!  Cut a slit down the middle and veer off into both corners as shown.

Step 23:

Stuff your pocket material through the slit and fidget with the opening a bit until you get it nice and neat.  Iron in place.  Place you zipper within the rectangle you’ve created and stitch in place.  Remember to back stitch at the start and finish.  After you’ve completed this, trim off any extra length of your zipper, if necessary.

Rear View

Step 24:

Flip up your pocket and sew around the 3 sides {1/2″ inseam} to close.  Please move the inner bag rectangle out of the way and do not stitch through it.

Step 25:

Repeat Steps 4-7 to complete the inner bag.  If you would like water bottle elastic loops, secure them in place during Step 4, prior to stitching the 3 sides.  Note: Leave about a 4″ opening along the bottom.  You’ll be pulling the outer bag through this space, so don’t forget {See Step 27}!

Step 26:

With the inner bag inside out, place your outer bag inside, with right sides facing each other.  Stuff the straps down and out of the way.  Make sure the seam running up along the sides of the both the inner and outer bag are lined up and pin into place.  Sew around the raw edge {1/2″ inseam}, back stitching at start and finish.  Important, back stitch a few times over the straps for extra strength too.

Step 27:

Imagine lifting up the bag as if the outer bag, which is stuffed in the the inner bag, was liquid and it simply drained out the 4″ opening.  So, gently pull the outer bag through the opening.  Stuff the inner bag into the outer bag and make sure everything looks good.  If so, close up the 4″ opening by hand or machine.

Test the elastic loops.  Adjust is necessary, before sewing up the 4″ opening.

Step 28:

Sew your button into place making sure not to catch the inner liner.

By golly, I do believe you are done!

Do let me know if anything is unclear or if you need some extra guidance!

♥ Robin

Tutorials I viewed for inspiration:

Obsessive Crafting Disorder

Fishsticks Designs

Between the lines

mmmcrafts

Pocket Zipper Tutorial