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Thursday, January 12, 2012

I love versatile bags and today's messenger bag tutorial is just that - VERSATILE. Great for use as a diaper bag, computer bag, book carrier or overnight bag. Using a good stabilizer gives it great shape and structure with too much bulk. With a laminated cotton outer fabric it's easy to keep fresh looking too. Padded inner pockets let you carry things large and small and keep them all organized.

And with two easy access side pockets on the outside, there's even more handy storage. Now if you're unfamiliar/nervous about sewing with laminated cotton, this is the tutorial for you. With no top stitching required, sewing this fabric is a breeze. I promise!!

I bought this fantastic laminated cotton from one of my sponsors, Just Laminates, and knew it would be perfect for a bag. It's Riley Blake's Fox Trails and I just love it. It's whimsical, but has a style that works for both kids and adults. I'm currently using mine as a diaper bag for my 2yr old, but when she no longer needs it I can totally snag it for myself;) Want to make your own?

Step 1 - Fuse the stabilizer to the wrong sides of all the brown pieces. Set aside. Take folded inner pocket fabric and measure inward 5 inches on either side. Draw lines downward with marking pen. Insert batting into fold. Encase the folded end into bias tape and stitch in place.

Step 2 - Line up inner pocket along the bottom of back lining piece and pin together. Stitch down lines to form the pockets:

Step 3 - Fold strap in half as shown. Measure 1.5 inches inward on each side of folded end. Lay a ruler along this point and angle out towards the fabric edge about half way down the strap and cut to get this shape:

Step 4 - With right sides facing out, layer the outer strap and inner strap with the batting in between and attach bias tape on either side to complete strap. With right sides facing out on flap pieces, attach along sides and bottom with bias tape. Stitch bias tape along tops of outer pocket pieces:

Step 5 - With right sides facing stitch a side piece to either long side of the bottom piece with a .5 inch seam allowance.

Repeat with lining, but leave a 2 inch gap in the middle of side without inner pocket (this will be needed for turning the bag right side out at the end).

Step 6 - Line up the outside pocket with side bottom with right sides facing out:

Step 7 - Place these stacked pieces face down over the bottom side edge and stitch together - leaving .5 inch unstitched at beginning and end. Repeat on other side:

Step 8 - Next pull together long sides of side piece and front & back pieces and stitch together. Repeat on with other side. Do the same with lining pieces. Trim all the seam edges close to stitching.

Step 9 - Take flap piece and measure down 4 inches from raw edge on outer fabric side and mark horizontally. I use such a big allowance so it's easier to position the flap when pinning it to the bag & it's easier to hold in place when stitching together.

Step 10 - With the outer bag fabric turned wrong side out, pin together back side of outer bag with the flap along this newly drawn line. Then take the strap and, with the outer side of the strap facing the outer fabric of the bag sides, pin their raw edges together too.

Step 11 - With the lining bag's right side out, insert into outer bag so that the inner pocket is facing the inner side of the flap. Pin all fabrics together along raw edge:

Step 12- Stitch together all the way around with a .5 inch seam allowance. Trim off excess:

Step 13 - Pull bag right side out through the opening in the bottom of the lining. Smooth all corners into place and then hand stitch the opening closed. Now you're ready to tote in style!!

Awesome tutorial and awesome giveaway! Love it! Pinning it to pinterest now! Would you mind linking this project and/or the giveaway up to SaMiE's first ever SURPRISE linky party, found here: http://samiedesigns.blogspot.com/p/samies-surprise-linky-parties.html

Looks great. Did you have any problems with your foot sewing with the laminated fabric? I've never sewed with it. I've heard some people use a teflon foot so as not to stick. I've sewn vinyl before and it stuck a bit.

Not at all, since there was no sewing where the foot touched the laminated side (which makes this project ideal for someone new to using it).

When I've topstitched laminate I've always used tissue paper on top and then torn it away when done - works great. Also using Chapstick on the fabric and wiping it away after is another trick to keeping things from sticking:)

Yay!! I trimmed it off (just to save bulk and weight). It was a lot easier to hold onto such a big section while piecing things together so that's why it's such a big "extra" bit! Excited to see your bag when it's finished!!

Irene this turned out great! I love the addition of a back pocket too. I always have plenty of room for more in this bag so you'll definitely get the whole family's things in it:) Great job and so glad you used my tutorial:)

Thanks for linking your tutorial up to Sugar and Spice! I've been looking for cheap laminated fabric and hadn't found any under $15.00. I linked up my pattern review of McCall's 6360, women's leggings at 733:http://thepetitesewist.blogspot.com/2012/01/m6360-misses-leggings.html

I'm using mine as a diaper bag for my 2yr old right now, but am going to use it for myself when our diapering days are over, so you're right both times! It would be great for school stuff, work tote, as an overnight bag - whatever you can fit in it (which is a lot!). So glad you like it:)

Yes, you could, you'd just have to stitch on the stabilizer instead of ironing it to the lining fabric. Everything will be a little stiffer to work with, but then you've got a wipe clean interior which is nice.

Hi there, I am very new to sewing so I may have a rather novice question. I have 1 yard of 42" wide laminated cotton fabric but I can't get all the pieces to fit on it. Is it possible or should I get some 52" or 58" wide fabric.

Laminated cotton usually comes 56-58 inches wide, so you'll probably need to get additional fabric if yours is just 42 inches wide - probably an extra 1/2yd. Just Laminates (http://www.etsy.com/shop/Laminates) has a great selection of laminates and indicates the width on each print. Hope that helps!

Great question! Yes you can. You can use any kind of hardware, but for most magnetic types you need to do it while sewing together and use some stabilizer around the closure area for extra strength (since it will be getting tugged on regularly). Most hardware is surprisingly easy to attach - just follow manufacturer's instructions.

What thickness of batting/wadding did you use, there are so many out there but I was thinking 2oz wadding? I've heard Polyester is difficult to sew with and that cotton or cotton blend is better? I don't know which to buy to make my bag more sturdy.....

You could use low-loft or traditional weight batting. It's just for padding the strap and inner pocket, so any type should work. I've never had any difficulty sewing with polyester batting and actually prefer the loft of it to cotton on projects like this.

Is there an actual pattern anywhere? I'm being dense and can't seem to find it! I love the bag and your tutorial is so detailed that I can't wait to make the bag! However I'm no good at making my own patterns at all! Your help is much appreciated!