Posts Tagged ‘messenger bag tutorial’
Dear Diary, I need a new Messanger Bag…
I’d like to welcome Amy from Diary of a Quilter. Amy is not only very talented and funny, she’s also a good friend. We met through blogging… but luckily for me our friendship has spanned into real life. Amy and I have more than a few things in common: We both love all things British and Jane Austin. We also both love fabric, Barbacoa Grill, our sewing machines, and being moms- not necessarily in that order. Thank you Amy for sharing your wonderful Messenger Bag Tutorial. I love it’s simplicity and functionality. I also love the Wonderland Fabric you’ve used. I still have some bits of Wonderland in my stash that I’m saving for something special. Maybe it wants to be an messenger bag! So here’s Amy:
You will feel so proud of yourself when it’s done in no time!
For an adult/bigger-kid size bag the fabric requirement are 2 coordinating half yards.
For a smaller child’s bag you will only need two pieces at 3/8 of a yard.
I will demonstrate with the larger bag
and give the measurements for the child’s bag at the end.
First: from both half-yard pieces, cut a 4″ strip off one end.
This will be for your strap.
Cut the remaining piece down to 14″ x 30″.
(You can save the remnant for a pocket, if you want.)
If you are going to put a pocket on, do it now. To make the pocket, fold the remnant in half and sew three sides shut with a 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening to turn right side out. Clip corners and turn right side out. Press, tucking edges in at opening. Fold outside bag piece in half and center the pocket where it will appear on finished bag. Pin in place and sew close to the edge along three sides, sewing opening shut as you go.
Now on to the bag: Place two 14″ x 30″ pieces right sides together and pin together at ends.
Bring the seams to the center and match them up.
Press seams open.
You will now have your lining-piece folded in half on one side and
your outside piece folded in half on the other.
for turning right side out. Sew 3/8″ seams on both sides.
roll the lining fabric above the bag about 1/4″.
Pin to hold fabrics in place and press.
AND at the top of the lining fabric.
and sew down both long sides using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
(This strap is meant to be worn diagonally across the chest.)
For an adult, it’s about the right length as it is.
For an older child, you might want to cut-off a few inches.
If you leave one end with selvage edges on the end you don’t
need to do anything to the strap before you start sewing.
If you cut-off one end, you may want to tuck raw edges under and press.
Now, pinch the end of the strap in half to find the center.
creating a rectangle to secure the strap in place.
Repeat all the same steps.
(You will probably want to shorten the strap.)
We used a heavier, canvas fabric on the cowboy bag.
The other bag is made from the Wonderland by MoMo collection for Moda.
Cheers ta, Calli