This little bag pattern is "easy-peasy-chunky-cheesy" as my 5-year-old likes to say.You will feel so proud of yourself when it's done in no time!
For an adult/bigger-kid size bag the fabric requirement are 2 coordinating half yards.
For a smaller child's bag you will only need two pieces at ⅜ of a yard.
I will demonstrate with the larger bag
and give the measurements for the child's bag at the end.
First: from both half-yard pieces, cut a 4" strip off one end.
This will be for your strap.
Cut the remaining piece down to 14" x 30".
(You can save the remnant for a pocket, if you want.)
If you are going to put a pocket on, do it now. To make the pocket, fold the remnant in half and sew three sides shut with a ¼" seam, leaving an opening to turn right side out. Clip corners and turn right side out. Press, tucking edges in at opening. Fold outside bag piece in half and center the pocket where it will appear on finished bag. Pin in place and sew close to the edge along three sides, sewing opening shut as you go.
Now take to your ironing board.Bring the seams to the center and match them up.
Press seams open.
You will now have your lining-piece folded in half on one side and
your outside piece folded in half on the other.
Pin open sides together, leaving a 3" opening on one side of the lining fabricfor turning right side out. Sew ⅜" seams on both sides.
Turn bag right-side out and top-stitch opening closed. It will look like a flat, empty pillow.
Tuck lining fabric inside the outside bag fabric.
To make the band of trim around the top of the bag,roll the lining fabric above the bag about ¼".
Pin to hold fabrics in place and press.
Top stitch around the edge of the bag at the top of the outer fabricAND at the top of the lining fabric.
Now, place both strap pieces right sides togetherand sew down both long sides using a ½" seam allowance.
Turn right-side out, press, and top-stitch along both edges.
Now is the time to decide how long you want your bag strap.
(This strap is meant to be worn diagonally across the chest.)
For an adult, it's about the right length as it is.
For an older child, you might want to cut-off a few inches.
If you leave one end with selvage edges on the end you don't
need to do anything to the strap before you start sewing.
If you cut-off one end, you may want to tuck raw edges under and press.
Now, pinch the end of the strap in half to find the center.
Line up that pinched crease with the seam on the side of the bag.
Pin the strap in place
And sew around the edges and along the top of the bag,creating a rectangle to secure the strap in place.
And Voila! You are seriously done. Pretty awesome, huh?
To make a child size bag cut a 2 ½" strip off the side of both pieces.Repeat all the same steps.
(You will probably want to shorten the strap.)
These are so fast, you really might get addicted. And the possibilities are endless.
We used a heavier, canvas fabric on the cowboy bag.
The other bag is made from the Wonderland by MoMo collection for Moda.
Have fun!
(and please feel free to ask any questions so I can clarify these instructions where needed!)
**A couple of people have asked where this fabric is from:
It is part of the Wonderland by MoMo collection for Moda, Spring 2009.
GARI
Excellent!
Shannon
Another great tutorial! Thanks for sharing and for having lots of photos in your tutes. I need them:)
AmyF Hackworth
I love this! I can't wait to make a bag. This is so great, Amy. What a fun project.<br /><br />And I like "Easy peasy, lemon squeezy," but "chunky cheesy" adds a nice variety. 🙂
Stephanie
This is terrific! Thank you for sharing such detailed and thoughtful tutorials. I love makings bags, and this one will be well used!
Lisa @ Life with 4!
these would make great library bags. Maybe I should make one for me and each of the kids for our library outings. That way I don't have to stack and balance all the books to carry. <br />YOu have sooooo much talent!
Nedra
Great Tutorial. I love the picture of your son watching every step.
nikki
great tutorial--thanks, amy! i love the detail at the top to let the lining show through.
V and Co.
nicely done!
The Tregeagles
You're so creative, this bag would be perfect for church!
dedesmith32
This is so cool! I wish I could sew! Can you make me some? LOL
Cami
You're Brilliant! Thanks for the great tutorial, I can't wait to get started!
GARI
This sounds doable. Thanks.
merathon
oooooh-- i really want to make this! can you tell me what the finished measurements are for both the adult and child size bags?? thanks!
josieposie
great idea! any clues as to where to purchase that cute fabric?
Amy@Let's Explore
Awesome! I foresee a weekend project... 🙂
Alicia
I'm wondering about where to get that fabric as well. Is it moda?
Natalie
Hey Amy! I just made one of these and it turned out great. Plus, it really only took 32 minutes (or would have if I had no been distracted by a baby). <br />Thanks for sharing!
Michele
this is great! thank you so much for sharing this tutorial. I can't wait to make one. It's a great idea for all those random scraps of leftover fabric...or an excuse to browse the Hancock Fabric's scrap bin!
Natalie
Very Cute! Nice tutorial too! Thanks
Simone de Klerk
This is just waht I needed, for a bag I am making for a swap. Great and clear pictures. Thank you so much!
Mary O
Amy you are awesome. My Stephanie just sent Diary of a Quilter to me and I'm so impressed but not surprised.
Kelli
Chunky Cheesy! That's great! Really nice tutorial. Thank you!
Tissi
Really great tutorial!!!!<br />i think i'll ad ti on my blog and i'll try to make one bag ;)<br />thank you so much ,also for your lovely blog!<br />Simona
Gigi
This was a great tutorial! It's just too bad I like the bag so much... I've decided to make eight of them for an Indiana Jones birthday party for my soon-to-be five year old! Wish me luck.
Etti
I have one comment. the ends of the straps should not be visible. I sew them to the bag in an earlier step. Etti from Israel
María
Thank you!! I love your designs. They are very inspirating! <br />I am a spanish mother who is learning how to quilt and I was lucky to find your blog!!!<br />plantabosques.blogspot.com<br /><br />María
DIY Bag Lover
I have listed your wonderful tutorial in https://diybaglover.blogspot.com/<br />Hope u dont mind =)
Herry
Wow great I have no word to say that<br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotapparel.com/p-116_1114-anvil-messenger-bag.aspx" rel="nofollow">https://www.gotapparel.com/p-116_1114-anvil-messenger-bag.aspx</a>
I wanna be creative
I haven't sewn much lately, but immediately started again once I saw this tutorial. Thanks so much. Pic at https://www.flickr.com/photos/iwannabcreative/3770591343/
KasCssAceZjs
I'm a new sewer and needed a bag to go down town germany but had no patterns. And then pops up yours the same day I needed it. <br /><br />Wow your tut is superb. I was never once confused like I so often am on other tuts. Thank you so much for this
123 123
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T. Luna
Kinda late in the game here, but this tutorial was awesome. Thanks! It was so easy to make.<br /><br />https://theincidentalcraftster.blogspot.com/
Amy Renee
Just wanted to let you know how much I love this bag. This has become my "go-to" gift for so many different occasions. I've made several as gifts for little kids in all different shapes and sizes (depending on what scraps I have), and I've got to say, each one is so awesome. The first one I made was earlier this year when I first dusted off my sewing machine. It took A LOT
Tasha
I just found your blog from V and Co. I am completely in love with it! I just spent the last little while growing through a ton of your posts. I just love this messengar bag. Love it. I am going to blog about it (giving the credit back to you of course) I really love the way you have made it. I hope to try one soon!
madebymj
I love this tutorial. It really did only take around 30 mins. Thanks so much.
amy
Can you tell me the measurements to cut the straps? I'm using fabric I already have, so it's not necessarily in 1/2 yard dimensions.
amy smart
@amy - I didn't have an email to reply to your question - hopefully you'll see this here.<br /><br />I cut my straps 4" wide x width of the fabric. Then I shortened them, depending on the size of the person the bag was for. Sew the strap to one side, and then measure and trim before you sew the other side.<br /><br />Hope that helps!
Caca
thanks for the tutorial. love the bag, and the fabric was nice too.
Marjorie
Thank you for sharing this! I love fun and fast projects like this one! So cute! 🙂
Mandy
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I'm planning on making one this week. Can you tell me the finished size of the bigger bag? Thanks so much!
Brecca Theele
I made this today and it was fun and easy!
Annemarie
Thanks Amy for making this so easy! It took me more than 32 minutes the first time, but next time it'll be a breeze. Love your quilt tutorials too. You've given me the confidence to start. Made one last week and already started on my 2nd one. Have a great weekend!! God Bless!
Kim
Thanks so much for the tutorial. I have been working on a 4 square heart quilt, and I was having some trouble matching up the center seams of each heart block on each row. I needed a break and needed a quick project that I could be successful at before returning to the 4 square heart project. This messenger bag was perfect! I love the bag, and can't wait to make my daughters one!
Colette Jo
This was my first sewing machine project!! I'm so proud of myself and so thankful to you for sharing this!! I learned a lot from this project like what I need to do better next time and how much fun sewing is!! It took me longer than 30 minutes due to my beginner status and the fact that I used fleece as my outside fabric. That gave me some issues to figure out with my machine. Once I
Mama G
I just made this as a last minute birthday present for a little boy-and it was very quick as promised. It turned out so great-thanks for the tutorial!
Maham Arshad
Gotta love it! amazing.<br />I also made a bag. check out mine :)<br />https://lavagirlart.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-diy-girly-sling-bag.html
Blooms And Bugs
This is so cute. I featured it here:<br />https://sewprettysewfree.blogspot.com/2012/10/messenger-bag-sewing-tutorial.html<br />Thanks,<br />Anshu
Bubbles
how big is it in diameter. I want to see if I will be able to fit my tablet in it
alittlebirdmademe
Hi<br />I like this tutorial, so have linked to it on my blog - https://alittlebirdmademe.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/list-of-30-free-bag-tutorials-and-patterns/<br />Thank you for sharing it!
Alina John
I continuously continue coming to your website once more simply in case you have posted new contents.<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/bubblegumcasting" rel="nofollow">is bubblegum casting legitimate</a>
Jeanette
This is one of my favorite tutorials. I make these as gift bags. Everyone loves them!
Michala
Hi, thanks for the tutorial. I did the kid's size, and somehow I , apparently, mixed the dimensions, since mine is wider than higher.
One more think - such a nice double-faced bag, but the strap kills it. It is quite easilly posible to sew it directly in and then one get gorgeous double-faced bag.
Ayesha
I just found your blog from V and Co. I am completely in love with it! I just spent the last little while growing through a ton of your posts. I just love this messengar bag. Love it. I am going to blog about it (giving the credit back to you of course) I really love the way you have made it. I hope to try one soon!
https://www.vendoristapparels.com
Amy
Thank you! 🙂