Messenger bags can be decorated in a variety of ways.
Messenger bags, once just utilitarian satchels for bicycle messengers, now make a fashion statement. Like a backpack, a messenger bag crosses gender barriers, and is ultimately used as both a briefcase and a purse. Messenger bag purses offer a spacious interior with pockets for organization. The bag's simple, rectangular lines create secure space for a wallet and personal items, while still leaving room for books, papers and even laptop computers. The long, overhanging flap that closes the bag secures the contents without a zipper or other closure.
Instructions
Cutting out the Parts
1. Wash your fabric in hot water. This removes the sizing and starch and pre-shrinks your fabric. Choose a heavy, natural fiber for the outside of the bag such as canvas, denim or cotton duck. Choose a sturdy, but lighter fabric for the lining such as calico or broadcloth. Iron the fabric as needed.
2. Stack the fabric so that the heavy cloth is on the bottom and the lining is on the top. Measure and mark the lining, but cut through both layers of fabric. This ensures that both the bag and the lining are cut to match.
3. Measure 19 inches from one selvage at the top, bottom and center. Draw a line connecting these points. Place pins every 6 inches to hold the fabric secure.
4. With the T-square, make a perpendicular line on the fabric from the selvage as close to the cut end as possible. Measure 28 inches from this line and draw a second perpendicular line. Measure 13 inches from the second line and draw a third. measure 13 inches from the third and draw the last perpendicular line.
5. Place the drinking cup on on corner of the long rectangle. Make sure that the drawn lines both touch the edge of the cup and draw the curve into the corner. Rounded corners do not wear as quickly as sharp corners and they are easier to sew. The cup method ensures that all of your curves will be uniform. Repeat for all of the corners on the large rectangle. For both the smaller rectangles, chose both corners on one of the 19-inch sides.
6. Using the lines as a pattern, cut out all three parts of the messenger bag. Be sure to cut around the curved lines. You will have one 19-by-28-inch rectangle and two 19-by-13-inch rectangles.
7. Measure 4 inches from the other selvage. Make a mark every 6 inches. Draw a line connecting the marks. Cut the 4-inch strip from the other selvage.
Assembling the Lining
8. Separate one of the 13-by-19-inch lining rectangles. Press a 2-inch hem in the 19-inch side with corners. Stitch the hem down.
9. Fold the fabric in half so that the rounded corners match and mark the center of the hem. Fold the zipper in half ad mark the zipper. Flatten both items out and match the center of the hem to the center of the zipper. Pin in place and stitch one side of the zipper to the edge of the hem. Make sure that the teeth of the zipper extend beyond the hem. Using the T-square, make a line from either end of the zipper to the bottom of the rectangle.
10. Lay the last small rectangle on the large rectangle. Make a small mark on either side of the long rectangle at this 13 inch mark. Remove the small rectangle.
11. Line up the curved corner of the hemmed rectangle with the largest rectangle. Make sure that the wrong side of the hemmed rectangle lies on the right side of the large rectangle. Pin the pieces together along the hemmed edge and the zipper.
12. Stitch along the drawn lines on either end of the zipper. Stitch along the top edge of the zipper, locking the seam at either end of the zipper. Set aside.
13. Pin the 4-inch strip to the side of the last small rectangle, right sides together. Starting at one of the sharp corners, pin the strip down the side, around a curved corner, along the bottom, around the second curve corner and stopping at the other sharp corner. Cut off any excess strip. Sew a 1/2-inch seam.
14. With right sides together, pin the other side of the 4-inch strip to the end of the long rectangle with the zipper and pockets. Start at the small marks made in Step 3 and pin the strip around the bottom edge of the lining. Sew a 1/2-inch seam. Remove all pins, turn right-side out and set aside.
Assembling the Shell of the Purse
15. Lay a small rectangle on top of the large rectangle, lining up the curved corners. Mark the sharp corners on either side of the large rectangle.
16. Remove the small rectangle. Press a 2-inch hem on the 19-inch side of the rectangle with sharp corners. Stitch the hem in place. Trim any excess fabric. Lay this piece on one end of the large rectangle, lining up the corners. Lay the wrong side of the hemmed piece on top of the right side of the outer fabric. Pin in place. Stitch 1/4 inch from the edge to hold the pieces in place. This creates a large, outside pocket.
17.Cut two 5-inch pieces of webbing. Turn 1/2 inch hem on one side of each piece of webbing. Thread the other ends of the webbing through the male portions of the side release buckles.
18. Measure 4 inches from either side of the last small rectangle. Pin the web pieces with the attached buckle on each mark. Baste in place with a 1/4 inch seam.
19. Measure 4 inches from the side on the edge of the flap. Cut two 4-inch pieces of webbing. Thread them through the female portion of the side release buckle. Line up the webbing with the marks, making sure that both ends of the webbing are in the seam allowance. Baste in place.
20. Pin the 4-inch strip to the side of the small rectangle with the buckles, right sides together. Starting at one of the sharp corners, pin the strip down the side, around a curved corner, along the bottom, around the second curve corner and stopping at the other sharp corner. Cut off any excess strip. Sew a 1/2-inch seam.
21. With right sides together, pin the other side of the 4-inch strip to the end of the long rectangle with the outside pocket. Start at the small marks made in Step 1 and pin the strip around the bottom edge of the lining. Sew a 1/2 inch seam. Remove all pins.
Finishing the Purse
22. Leaving the shell of the purse inside out, push the lining inside the purse so that the right sides are together. Line up the side seams and pin the bag together. Leave a 10-inch portion of the flap open on one side. Stitch all the way around the bag and the flap, leaving the open portion.
23. Reach inside the opening and grasp the shell of the purse. Turn the purse right-side out and tuck the lining inside the purse.
24. Cut a 1-foot section of webbing. Thread it through the rectangular ring. Stitch through both ends of the webbing to one side gusset of the purse.
25. Cut a 3-foot section of webbing. Thread one end around the center of the slide-back buckle. Stitch in place as close to the buckle as possible.
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Thread the other end of the webbing through the rectangular ring. Thread the webbing back through the slide-back ring and stitch the end down to the other side gusset of the purse.
Tags: inches from, small rectangle, large rectangle, 4-inch strip, Measure inches
