I am not a purse carrier. When I am out and about I usually have my large diaper bag/tote bag, which I love, but it can be sort of huge when I am just out on my own and just need to run into a store or something.
So, I wanted to have something smaller that could fit just the essentials like keys, wallet and phone. I didn’t have a pattern, but I had a pile of cute fabric and an idea started to form in my brain.
I made a small, easy to carry, fully reversible messenger style bag:
Reversible Messenger Bag Tutorial:
You should now have 4 pieces cut out. A front piece from each fabric and a back/flap piece from each fabric.
Now you need to cut out a strap too. I used the full length of my fabric (45 inches) and did it about 3 or 4 inches wide. Just a nice straight cut. Do this with both pieces as well so that you now have 2 strap pieces.
You should now have 6 pieces of fabric to work with.
I always like to sew the strap first. Put right sides together and sew down both long sides leaving the ends open. Turn it right side out, press it and then top stitch.
Now, using your other pieces, put right sides together on matching fabrics and sew around the edges of the front part on the three outer edges.
Important: Leave about 1/2 inch unsewn at the beginning point and the ending point. This will make it easier later because you will need to fold that part down.
Sew the pieces together just around the top part stopping before you get to the Front pieces.
Now you are going to flip it so that the right sides are out and one pocket is right inside the other. Push the corners out nicely and press it flat.
Top stitch just the flap part for added stablility:
Almost done! Simply fold the two raw edges of your Front part in towards each other about 1/2 inch and press them.
Slide your strap in between the two fabrics as far to the edges as you can get them. Make sure to slide them in about an inch or two so that they stay put. As you can see, I pinched mine in half at the ends before I slid them in so that they take up a little less space.
Sew the edge closed with a top stitch. I did a double top stitch because I like how it looks:
The last thing I do is stitch one line across the bag where it folds (or basically where you taped your back piece to your flap piece) to create the flap. This just make the bag more stable.
And ta da! A cute, easy and inexpensive messenger bag. It is fully reversible too. Use either side. And it fits my keys, wallet and phone just right:
Here’s another one I made:
You could add velcro or a snap to keep it closed if you don’t plan to reverse it. Just add it on the flap.
Since this is my first real pattern/tutorial that I have put together, please let me know if you try it and if it makes sense or if any of it is confusing!
Remember to like me on facebook or follow me or pin me! :)
Linking up here
Latest posts by Amber (see all)
- Fabric Covered Clipboard Tutorial - June 18, 2013
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake - June 17, 2013
- Paint Your Own Plates: Kids Project - June 13, 2013
I like you on FB! Bright bag.
I follow you on Pinterest. Bright Bag.
I shared it! Bright bag.
Totally cute! If I win, I would want the flower one. I love the fabrics! Im so happy you started a crafting blog!
Super cute!! I follow you on facebook! I love the blue/brown!
I also follow you on GFC! Love the blue/brown! They’re both so super cute!
Love this new blog! I love the flowers! apriljeanjacob@gmail.com
How do you do it all?!? You are amazing, I love this glimpse into your craftiness. I like the flower one :)
Hey Amber :) I follow on my google reader :) I like the flower bag.
I also liked you on fb :)
Pinterest too :)
aaah a blog! im so excited now i can always follow you craftiness :)
so i liked you on fb
and also i follow you pinterest page:)
p.s. i like the bright flowery one!
I like the brown and blue. And I’m a Google follower of your blog. :)
. . . and a Facebook follower. :)
And Pinterest! Yay! Here’s hoping I win since I can’t sew a single stitch to save my life. :)
Amber, you are Da Bomb! I am in awe at your many talents, business sense, motherly skills(always good to have sweet skills), and your boundless energy and enthusiasm. I’ll try to follow you on Google…I hope I get the hang of signing up to be a follower.
Windows Live, baby! Flowers & dots. 8)
ohhh.. I love the flowers/polkadots :) It’s so bright and cheerful :)
Pinterest, too!
Facebook stalking, too!
I want one please!! I love both but my favorite is the blue and brown !! I’m following in Facebook
I’ve officially subscribed via email. I’d love the bright flowery one. :)
oh you just solved one of my life’s problems! Instead of sewing the strap on, I will attach loops and hardware so that it can come off. That way, I can store my personal stuff inside my diaper bag, and attach the strap when I need to run without the baby (or huge bag). I will also add an inside zipper and a pocket. Thanks for the great pattern and tutorial!
Super cute! I love the colors! I’d love for you to link up to Crafty Cousins.
http://crafting-cousins.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-i-wore-sunday-week-10.html
~Natalie @ Crafty Cousins.
Holla! We’re your newest followers! :)
That bag is awesome what a good job. I am a new follower. I just love your blog it looks so good and cheery. I would love for you to come visit me and share at my link party @ http://www.arosiesweethome.com/2012/03/welcome-to-our-3rd-link-party-we-are-so.html
Hope you come
Rose
SO COOL!!! I just bought a little messaging bag for my daughter.. and it’s not this beautiful!! I will have to try and make one! Great tutorial!
I sure HOPE you’ll share this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream to Reality!
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.ca/2012/04/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-10.html
A beautiful little bag – thanks for the tutorial!
Incredible tutorial!! :) I love the fabric here. SO sweet! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
Hi Amber: I’m Connie @ http://hotflashncraftn.blogspot.com/, your new GF friend. I would love you to stop by and be mine too.
Great bag, I love over the shoulder bags. Your’s is pretty, I may have to try to make it.
Thanks for sharing!
I love this little bag – I need to make one for myself as well for those rare occasions that I do not need to haul all the kid gear with me.
~Amy @ Permanent Kisses
CUTE messenger bag!! I would love for you to share it at my party going on now at Jillify It!!
Jill
http://www.jillifyit.com
I love the colors! :-)
Erin
takingtimetocreate.blogspot.com
I’ll be featuring you on Thursday. Thank you so much for sharing at {wow me} wednesday. :)
Ginger @ gingersnapcrafts.com
Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality!!
Thank you for linking up this fabulous project!!!
This week’s Linky Party is up!!!! http://polkadot-pretties.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/you-inspire-linky-party_28.html
I hope you will stop by an link up another lovely project..
Claire x
Super Cute pattern and fabrics. I’m trying to sew more so this would be a great project for me.
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that your reversible messenger bag inspired the one I made for my self-imposed Pinterest Craft Challenge :)
http://lotusbomb.blogspot.com/2012/08/30-day-pinterest-craft-challenge-day-2.html
This is so cute! :D
Hi new follower from http://craftyhousemom.blogspot.com would love if you visited
Thanks for the tutorial. :) I used it to make a mail pouch for a playset for a birthday gift. http://www.flickr.com/photos/31739127@N03/8108858964/
Oh that is SO cool! Thanks for sharing that!
I made this bag this morning. This is the very first time I have used a pattern and the very first time I have made a bag. It turned out SO cute. I am very very pleased with myself. I had a bit of trouble turning in the edges of the opening and intserting the straps, but I think I will get better at it on my 2nd try. I’m going to make at least one more for Christmas gifts.
I love hearing that sort of thing!!! Yay! Way to go. (By the way, I am going to have a learn to sew series starting in January that is going to be awesome. Sounds like you know how to sew, but it might teach you a few new tricks so you should check it out!)
I saw a pin that linked to your homemade gifts and I love this little bag. Would you say it would work well for little girls? Would you shorten the strap? How much? I would like to make one for my niece (6yrs) and my daughter (4yrs). Thanks!
Yes, it would be PERFECT for little girls. I might shorten the strap a little. The strap currently leaves the bag at about the height of my hip, so I would take off several inches for younger girls.
Thank you so much, I have been looking & looking for a pattern for this since my friend & I went out dancing. We kept setting down our purses (mine a shoulder bag hers a clutch) all night & then having to run back to make sure they were still there. So I’ve wanted a little fun night out purse to make.
Happy to help. :)
I so love this little bag an it was pretty easy to make…I made one with lots of success and plan on making some more! Thanks Amber ;)
This is great!
Im soo slow and never understand but you explained this really well!
Now to get some fabric and give it a go!
This is ADORABLE, amber! I am definitely making one of these for my daughter, she would love it! Pinning and hopefully attempting soon! :)
I haven’t made this yet, but I want to; in fact, I am quite behind and have only made the burp cloth in lesson one. (I was already behind but now am even “behinder” due to a family emergency that I’ve been dealing with). A question I have for this as well as the other messenger bag I hope to eventually make: can the lining be a batting (it’s a high quality 50/50 material that I used for when I made my rag quilts)? Thank you, and I will probably have more questions later on…I am a TRUE BEGINNER when it comes to sewing.
Sure! You could definitely do that!
Hey Amber!
What are the final dimensions for this bag? I want to make it for my 9 year old sister but I am unsure if I should increase the size a little or if it will be just right! Thanks!!
It’s small-like 6 or 8 inches across.
Is it necessary to pre-wash this fabric since this is a bag? (Although I guess doing so would enable it to be washed later on if it gets dirty, without it shrinking then). Maybe I just answered my own question, LOL! This bag is so pretty. Love your choice of fabrics. I bought the material today for this bag, and it’s really pretty, so I sure hope I don’t mess it up. As I read through the instructions I’m not 100% understanding it, but maybe I’ll get it more as I’m actually doing it.
It’s always best to prewash. But I never do. :)
Did this project today. The bag turned out great, but I’m very new to sewing and I didn’t realize you had to fold the material before cutting the pattern, had to cut it twice. The rest of the tutorial was good. Loving the learn to sew series
Love this! Adorable!
Hello, found your pin today and I love the idea!! When I go to print it, the wording on the patterns is all jibberish…. is it supposed to say something in English? Not sure why it is doing this?!?
OK, that was just crazy! No idea what happened! But I think I got it fixed. Thanks for letting me know.
I was wondering if you remember the name of the turquoise flower fabric you used here??
–michelle
It’s Michael Miller (designer) and I think it’s one of the Lil Plain Jane line?
Good tutorial, had 2 attempts lol – cant really do the handles lol.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=424566.0#axzz2W788reAt
Great job! I love seeing people’s finished projects!