Messenger Bags

It's time for some messenger bag show and tell!  My kids messenger bag tutorial has been so popular and it's so fun to see your creations.  

Here are some great ones from the Zaaberry Flickr pool.

from Bruise Mouse via Flickr

from Rice and Soup via Flickr

Don't want to make one yourself?  Here are some gorgeous bags from Zaaberry licensed sellers.

Nicole from Bobbin's Boutique has done really well with these super cute bags. 

A reversible bag from Little Frienz.

This fall I also released my first PDF e-pattern for the Mirabelle Messenger Bag.  It's been a goal of mine and was super exciting for me.  

You can buy the pattern and make your own, or just buy a bag!  Here are some wonderful bags for sale from Sew Sofia.

One I made for for a friend recently.

 A cute corduroy bag from Jane of All Trades.

Here's my newest creation that's a larger, upgraded version of the Mirabelle bag that makes a great diaper bag.  So excited to make a few more of these.

Are you feeling inspired yet? 

Matryoshka Messenger Bag

 Back in November I was commissioned to make a Mirabelle Messenger Bag for a local friend.  Luckily, she's very patient and understanding, because I just finished it yesterday.

 Since the print is directional, I cut the gusset band in 2 pieces so that the dolls wouldn't be upside down at the top on one side.

The fabric is so pretty and looks really great with the pink piping and lining.  I ended made the piping (using this tutorial) and bias tape myself so that everything would match perfectly. 

I hope she loves it!

Buckle Bag

So are you excited about the Mirabelle Messenger Bag yet?  Here's a little more inspiration.  I'm going to give you a quick walk-through on some little pattern modifications I made to get this look.  I did this bag with a lightweight, olive corduroy.  I love the detail of the bias tape and piping, but I wanted a more monochromatic look.  So, I used Roselee's tutorials to make my own bias tape and piping.

Since the corduroy can add a bit of extra bulk to the seams, I cut all the interfacing pieces (except for the strap and pocket) a little smaller than the fabric.

 I cut the flap a little shorter and a little more square.  

I used a top-stitch thread and needle to make the stitching really pop.  I love that look. 

Picked up this belt for $1 at goodwill.  

I'm sure there's a better way to add the buckle, but I was a little short on time and figured no one would look too closely.  I made a strip of fabric the same width as the buckle, cut a little hole to slip the pin through, and added a little fray-check.  I sewed the strap down as far as I could and finished sewing in place by hand. 

Don't forget, there's still time to win your own free pattern over at Jane of All Trades.  

Giveaway Ends at Noon!!

Hurricane PJs and Some News

Somehow I missed the news that Rae is now offering the Flashback Skinny T in larger sizes.  Since we're in the middle of a hurricane, might as well buy a new pattern and do some sewing. 

 I've had a really hard time finding good PJs for the 6 year old in the house.  She's tall and skinny and all the 6T PJs are too short in the length and arms.  Rae's pattern is perfect!  I cut a size 6 and added length in the torso and arms.

I made 3 shirts and 2 pairs of fleece pants.  So much easier than going store to store, buying and returning...

And now for the news....I'll be releasing my first e-pattern in the new few weeks.  Remember this bag I made too late for Purse Week, well I thought it was so cute that maybe others would like to make it too. 

Roselee, my good friend and bag maker extraordinaire, is testing out the pattern to make sure it makes sense to someone other than me.  Then she'll be giving away a copy of the pattern and it will be up for sale.  So stay tuned!

Purse Week Bag - Late

 I started this bag about a month ago and figured I'd have plenty of time to get it done for Purse Week at A Lemon Squeezy Home. 

The deadline was October 12th and I just finished last night.  Oh well, at least it's done. 

I'm pretty proud of this bag.  I came up with pattern myself, made my own bias tape and piping, and even made the strap adjustable! And I'm in love with this fabric from Joanns.  I was kind of shocked when the woman who cut it for me told me it's not a popular print for them. 

Even though I didn't get to enter, it's still really fun to check out all the other entries.  Have you been following?  

Do you have a favorite?

Kid's Messenger Bag Tutorial

(remember, this is for personal use only.  contact me if you'd like to become a licensed seller)

We've had a lot of birthdays to celebrate this month. It's always fun to give something handmade, so I came up with this cute messenger bag that we could fill up with other fun presents. It's super easy to make and can be made for a boy or girl depending on the fabric.

Here's what you need:

2 pieces of fabric for bag outer, 12" X 9" (I used denim)
2 pieces of fabric for bag lining, 12" X 9"
2 pieces of medium weight fusible interfacing for bag bottom, 12" x 9"

2 pieces of fabric for flap, 9.5" X 8" (I used a contrasting fabric for one side and denim for the other)
1 piece of medium weight fusible interfacing for flap, 9.5" X 8"

1 piece of fabric for strap 28" x 8" (I used denim)
1 piece of batting for strap, 28" x 4" (this is optional)

Start out by fusing the interfacing to the outer bag pieces.


In the bottom corners of the 12 inch side of both outer pieces, mark a box that is 1.5 x 1.5 inches.

Then, cut those corners out. Do the same for the bag lining.

With right sides together and 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew the outer main bag panels along the sides and bottom. Do the same for the bag lining pieces. Press seams open.

Now match the side seam to the bottom seam on each corner. Trim and sew across with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Do the same for the bag lining.
When you turn the outer part of the bag right-side-out, you should have something that looks like this.

Now, let's work on the flap. Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric that you want to the outside of the flap.

Next, we'll round the corners. Lay the 2 flap pieces out with right sides together.
Fold in half matching the shorter (8 inch) sides. Use something round like a CD or jar cover to trace a rounded corner and cut.Here's what you'll end up with. Now along the long rounded edge, leaving the top, straight edge, open.
Clip curves, turn and top-stitch.
(ignore the fabric change....I was working on 2 bags and took a picture of the wrong bag...)
Next, we'll do the strap. Take your strap fabric and fold it in half the long way. Open it up and fold the edges in to fold line you just made, essentially folding your fabric in quarters. Place the batting inside.Top-stitch along each long side and down the middle.

Now we just need to put it all together. Pin the strap to the right side of the bag and then baste in place.

Pin the flap to the right side of the bag and baste in place. Double check to make sure that the fabric you want to see will show when the flap is closed.
This is the hardest part of the whole project. With right sides together, pin the bag lining over the bag exterior. You'll really have to pull it up to match the raw edges since you've got the strap and bag flap in there.

One it's all nice and pinned, sew around the top, leaving an opening for turning.
Turn and top-stitch making sure to close up the opening you left for turning.
There it is! Fill it up with some fun little presents and give it to someone special.