Who loves a good bag? I’ve got a thing for them. And for hot pink. And for Chevron stripes. Put them all together in this messenger bag and forget about it.
That one’s my newest version which I LOVE. Here’s the original. (Which I also love.)
I think I have a thing for sewing new bags. I don’t carry a purse, always just a bag of some sort, so maybe that’s why. My bag functions as my diaper bag and my purse all in one. Remember this little sling tote? I loved making that. And this reversible messenger bag? Yes, I like to sew bags. I have more planned still too.
I affectionately refer to my most recent bag as “the dungeon” because it is so large and full of so many random items. (Goggles anyone? How about an old french fry? Soccer sock?) I wanted to try to make a new bag that was less dungeon like-maybe more compartments or maybe a slightly smaller bag.
Well, I succeeded in making a cute bag, but I am not sure that it is going to be any less dungeony. Oh well. I still love it.
Want to make it yourself? I know you do. Here’s my newest messenger bag pattern for you to sew!
Messenger Bag Tutorial:
Supplies:
1 yard of your main fabric
1 yard of coordinating fabric
1 yard of fusible fleece lining
Instructions:
Start out by cutting out your pieces. The front of my bag is 17″ wide by 15″ high with rounded corners on the bottom: (yes, I should iron before cutting). Cut this out of your main fabric, your coordinating fabric and your lining. (Please note that these images show a lightweight lining. I really recommend fusible fleece instead.)
The back of the bag is the same width but is 26″ tall. Again, cut it out of both fabrics and your lining.
Cut 2 pieces that are 4 inches by 45 inches as well out of all of your fabrics. One of these pieces will be your strap and one will be the sides of the bag.
You should have 4 pieces total for each fabric.
If you want any inner pockets now is a good time to do that. I did a large pocket on the back inner part of my bag:
I made some compartments in my pocket for things like my cell phone and a pen simply by sewing straight lines down the pocket:
OK, next lets do the strap. Put 1 of the 45 inch strips from each of your two main fabrics together with right sides facing and the lining on the outside. Sew down each side:
Turn it, press it and then top stitch it:
Now let’s put the bag together. Starting with your inner fabric and your lining (if you are using it) put the other 45 inch strip along the edges of your front piece with the lining on the outside. Pin it in place all the way around the bag trimming any excess length off as needed.
Sew around the part your just pinned. Do the same thing with the back piece, matching it to the remaining side of your long 45 inch strip.
It should look like this when you are done:
Here’s a close up of the corners:
Do this to both the outer and the inner fabric.
Now, here’s the trickiest part. Turn the OUTER fabric right side out:
and the INNER fabric inside out. Slide the OUTER fabric down inside the inner fabric matching up all the seams from the two pieces.
Tuck your straps down inside the bag so that the ends stick out like this:
Starting at the top of the flap and leaving an opening, sew around the bag-down the flap, across the middle, back up the other side of the top. Leave several inches open at the top of the flap:
I go over the strap part several times to make sure they are very secure.
Now, using your opening on the top, turn everything right side out and push the inner part down inside the outer part.
Press it nice and flat and smooth (that’s always my favorite part because it starts to really look like a bag.)
Top stitch all the way around the flap. This will close your opening and keep your flap laying nice and smooth:
And you’re done! This can also make a great diaper bag. I even tossed in my diaper and wipes carrier:
Pretty nice huh?
If you liked sewing this free messenger bag tutorial and pattern, don’t forget to also check out these other bags:
You made this look entirely too easy! Love your fabric.
Lovely colors and prints! Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing :-)
Love the colors of this bag and your tutorial looks pretty easy to follow. If you get a chance come link up at our Pin Party.
http://justdawnelle.blogspot.com/2012/09/pintastic-monday.html
GREAT tutorial … adorable bag!
Where do you get your adorable fabric?! Also what kind of fabric is it, quilting, home decor, something else?
That’s from Hobby Lobby-just in their designer fabric section. LOVE hobby lobby fabric!!
It is soooo beautiful! I definitely like that!! and you make bag sewing sound so easy!! Thanks for sharing!
that truly is beautiful, great tutorial
Just a question. Do you think you could use one of those plastic tablecloths (the kind with the soft backing) for the interior? I was wanting to use something that I could easily wipe out. Thanks!
Sure, I don’t see why not?
Can you please tell us what kind of lining you used for this bag! I think I bought something that isn’t sturdy enough. I like how your bag has some structure to it. I have some Hobby Lobby fabric too….can’t wait to get it put together :)
Hmmm, what I used for lining I wouldn’t recommend. I think mine was actually embroidery machine stabilizer and it rips, so when I pick up my bag I can feel the lining ripping inside. Nice huh? :) If you want a heavy duty lining you could probably use felt or fleece, otherwise any sort of lining. (In my picture I have a cereal box or something in there to make it stand up so I could get a good shot of it. It’s not usually that stiff.)
omg that is so cute! Looks professional like you bought it. love it!
Wow great tutorial. And I love the fabrics you chose. I’m stopping by from Simply Designing link party, thanks for sharing.
Nice bag! I love the gray fabric.
I adore your bag! Stunning, thanks for sharing the tutorial.
x
I love that! And I am so lazy when I sew, I never iron, I really should.
Love, love, love! So cute! Thanks for linking it up to the Pomp Party! =)
I love this!! You did such a great job on it and I love the fabric that you used!
Love the fabric! What a great tutorial too! Thanks for joining the party at Keep Calm and Link Up!
Barbara at Chase the Star
chasethestar dot net
wow.. very cute bag. it looks very easy to make, i should try this. thanks for the idea:)
Thank you SO much. I am so glad you did a tutorial for this. I can’t wait to give it a shot!
Love the bag and the fabric. They don’t have that fabric in my hobby lobby, and can’t find it online. Do you have a link?
You know, I was at my Hobby Lobby yesterday and didn’t see it. Maybe it’s sold out. I bought it back in June or July? The brand is brother sister though.
Just an FYI, I tried using the tablecloth vinyl with the flannel backing for the inside of this bag. I wouldn’t do it again. It’s not as sturdy as I had hoped. When I went to flip it right side out, it ripped. Otherwise it is SO CUTE!!!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Great bag! I love making bags too!
Idk what happened but I guess I’m doing something wrong. I’ve been sewing my whole life and hardly ever have problems. So can you tell me what I’m doing wrong? I have step 1-5 done. But I’m have a hard time figuring out where the pieces for the flap go.
The piece for the flap should have been part of the back piece. So you had 1 big long piece that forms the back of the bag and the flap all in one. Is that what you did?
I think I got it. Thanks
What do you mean when you say “do this” to the other side?
I can’t find that in the tutorial-which part are you on? I found do this to both the outer and the inner fabric. Is that where you mean? If so, it means to sew the bottom/side piece to the front/back pieces of both the outside fabric that you are using, then set that aside and do the same to the inside fabric.
Hi Amber, thanks for posting this. I had been wanting to make a messenger bag for a while and your tutorial was easy to follow. I didn’t go wrong once, and even added some elastic to keep my drink upright at one end of the bag! Laura
Oh that’s SO good to hear!
Thank you for the great tutorial and pattern – I have been wanting to try make a messenger bag – I am going to post your link on my sewing group <3
Thanks! I love this bag. Carry mine every day.
This is awesome!!!! Messenger bags have always been my favorite! My boyfriend was just given a ton of old Army BDUs and I was thinking that the material and pattern would be awesome for a bag!! He even has some left over duffel bag straps that I could use in place of making my own strap. My problem will be the extremely thick material and a seeing machine that is muuuuuuch older than I am (25. This thing is a singer that came in a seeing desk from the 70′s or earlier). Lol. Wish me luck!
Fun idea! Let me know how it goes.
Love love love this bag looks soooooo good,carnt wait to have a go. Just one question im wanting to make it this as a baby changing bag (diaper bag) so am I better using an oilcloth material so I can wipe clean etc. Carnt wait to make it but very nervous I might mess it up.
Hi there,
In the middle of making this bag and stuck on fguring out where to leave the opening to turn the bag. You say to leave the opening at the top of the flap, however when I go to turn the bag it only turns the flap right side out and I can’t turn the rest of the bag due to the seam across the middle. Have I left the right section of the bag open? Or is the top of the flap actually more in the middle of the bag?
Thanks!
Kristy :)
You shouldn’t have a seam across the middle? Can you pick that out and then try again?
okay, figured that part out, I guess I only stich across the bottom of the flap when I’m doing my top stich, so now it turns okay. however, my straps are now hidden within the fabric when i turn the bag. When you asked us to put the straps down to the bottom of the bag and have the strap hanging out on either end, did you mean between your inner and outer fabrics, or actually right inside the big pocket of the bag?
Sorry for all the questions!
Figured it out! Completely the operator’s fault! Once I slipped the strap between the inner and outer fabrics and turned the bag, the strap came out properly. Thanks for the great bag! I love it! :)
Oh good! It’s been a while since I made that bag so I was going to have to think pretty hard about the answer.
So if I wanted to make this into a diaper bag for twins… and say I increased the width of the sides of the bag to 6″… could I still leave the strap at your given dimensions? I sew lots of girls dresses, but never tried a bag before! Thanks.
Sure, the strap can stay just the same. :)
Thanks for this tutorial! It’s my project for tonight. Will let you know how it goes! Jumpjumpjump!
Great tutorial… one issue I ran into before even cutting… 1 yard is only 36 inches, and most fabrics are only 43″ wide… so how did you get your 45 inch long pieces?
Also, if I’m sewing my second 45″ piece to my front along three sides, 15 + 15 + 17 = 47… Isn’t this going to come out too short to be the sides of the bag?
I have the fabric bought and I guess I’ll end up just improvising on this.
My fabrics I get are usually about 45″ wide, so basically I just meant use the whole width of the fabric. Adjust it down just a little if needed.
I had the same problem when making my bag last night… I caught it when I was trying to put the sides on… I just unpinned and made the bag a couple of inches smaller which was better for me anyway.
Great bag! Currently in the process of making it but I’m confused! How did you get from pinning and sewing the inner fabric and the lining to it being completely put together….when did you and how did you attach the outer fabric? Help?!
1st time sewing….
There’s a step where you put the inner fabric down inside the outer fabric. It starts with this: Now, here’s the trickiest part. Turn the OUTER fabric right side out:
Do you see that part?
I just needed to read it! Totally got it…the bag’s all done and is gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial! I love my bag!
I love this! I must get some nice fabric! I would like to make a bag to haul around my doggy things! Water and bowl and snacks! Love this!
I did that too! I have a dachshund, and at JoAnn Fabrics I found some fabric with dachshunds on it for the outside, and fabric with dog bones for the inside. It looks adorable!
Wow- your bag is beautiful. I think I need one! Thanks for the tutorial.
I love this! I have been carrying a timbuk2 bag for a while and want something different but wanted to try making something myself. I am definitely going to try making this very soon!
Love the bag but to big for me have you done a messenger bag for a pirse I cant find one online at all I love the bag though…but I wouldlwouldlove to make one big enought as a purse ….can u help me ?????
You could easily size it down to any size you want!
this was pretty cool and I’m definitely gonna use this in the future for my own projects.
Hi Amber,
Just made two of these great Messenger bags today and they turned out fantastic! Thanks for the geat instructions!!! I plan on making a few more!
I just made a new one too. :)
Super cute! I really like the chevron bag where the flap reaches all the way down to be even with the bottom. Did you just cut your first pieces longer than this tutorial calls for? Or are the dimensions in this post for the chevron bag? I’m a little confused since you show finished photos of both bags. Wasn’t sure which bag this tutorial was really for. Thanks!
Hmmm, you know, frankly I didn’t even realize they were different. I didn’t use the measurements when I made the 2nd one (the chevron-I just eyeballed it. I have a bad habit of doing that). So, I’d say just add a few inches if you want it to fold all the way down. The measurements given will make it look like the gray one.
Love your bag, super colors. Thanks for sharing this tutorial. ;o) I am now following along on your blog.
I love this bag and plan on getting fabric tomorrow and making it!!! It’s perfect for school!!
So pretty!! Thanks so much for stopping by Do Something Crafty Friday! It was so nice finally meeting you at SNAP!
I have a question: Can I make and sell bags like these that I make?
At this point I am telling people yes, but please link back to me (my main page is fine) stating that you got the tutorial here. Thanks!
Do you have any tips/tutorials for making the top of the bag a zipper instead of a messenger bag? I’m making it for my “Disney Days” carry-all, but want a zipper so I feel like everything inside is a little more secure.
I don’t currently have any but can try to do it in the future.
You read my mind
I was thinking about making my next bag a messenger bag and next day found your posting on facebook
Thank you
Thank you for the beautiful tutorial! I am linking to this post today from http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com on a bag construction post. Thank you for your hard work! Heidi
Thank you thank you!
YAY! I finished this one today! Turned out great.
Am I crazy to want to sew this since ive never ever sewed in my life? I think I can follow it until you start flipping things inside out lol. Just so im not going mad, is this like two bags sat inside one another completely unattached? or do you sew the inside to the outside at some parts?
No, it’s really not too hard. Have you seen my Learn to Sew lessons? (Top menu bar on the rightish side under Learn to Sew.) They will teach you everything you need to know for this bag in the first three lessons. Let me know how it goes!
Great tutorial!
Hello there!
:D I featured your tutorial on my blog so you might receive some traffic here:
http://www.misanthropycreation.com/2013/05/13-adorable-diy-tutorials-roundup.html
Please join my blog hop here:
http://www.misanthropycreation.com/2013/04/my-first-blog-hop.html
xo Michelle
Thanks for the feature! :)
I am having a really hard time with this bag. I cut out all my pieces, I sewed the inner fabric and the lining but I am having a really hard time figuring out how to attach the outer fabric. I’m sure I’m missing a step somewhere. Please help me figure it out? Thank you so much!!
You should have an assemble inner section and an assembled outer. Turn the inner section right side out and leave the outer one inside out. The stick the inner down into the outer. Pin the strap in place and sew all the way around the flap but leave a few inches opening at the top of the flap. Turn everything right side out and voila! You’ll have a bag.
Thank you for this tutorial! I convinced a friend to make this for me. I just shared the end results and your tutorial on my blog – http://www.geminiredcreations.com/its-in-the-bag/
So cool!