Messenger bag tutorial

Messenger bag tutorial

For this tutorial I used a mans shirt that I found in a charity shop. When I drew out the pattern I took into account where the pockets and details were on the shirt as I wanted to incorporate them into the design. You could always just buy your own fabric

pattern pieces

You will need :

Shirt or fabric approx 1 mtr

lining approx 1 mtr

interfacing firm 1 mtr

webbing for strap

fastener

• decide on the dimensions you want your bag to be. I wanted to be able to fit my A4 book inside. Using these add your seam allowance and cut out the pattern pieces.
• Cut out as per pattern above. You will need to cut interfacing to stiffen the fabric and give it structure.

• If not cutting from one piece of fabric do all the joins first.
• iron or sew interfacing to bag pieces.
• Sew flap and flap facing together RS together.

Bag body pieces added together

Interfacing added

Sewing flap and flap facing together

• Sew flap to bag body.
• Sew sides together.
• Add strap, you can make this adjustable or as I did with this bag measure required length and use a fixed piece of webbing for the strap.
• Made lining in same way.

Adding a pocket to the lining

Lining joined to the bag

• Sew lining to flap facing.
• Place lining inside bag and pin to bag body, top stitch together.

I added an extra piece of fabric to inner to fasten a clip to bag

• Add the fastening to your bag.

The finished bag

• Enjoy your new bag