• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
  • Home
  • Tips + Tutorials
  • Shop
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Tips + Tutorials
  • Shop
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Tips + Tutorials
    • Shop
    • FAQ
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Easy Mod Messenger Bag tutorial

    Last Modified: April 26, 2023 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 19 Comments

    Today I’m sharing a tutorial for a simple messenger bag, designed for the Riley Blake blog. This design was inspired by teaching my kids to sew. It’s also perfect for beginners. It’s an easy method for making a lined messenger bag with a cover flap.

    Easy Mod Messenger Bag tutorial

    I used fabrics from one of Riley Blake’s latest collections, Mod Studio by Holli Zollinger. These modern, graphic prints are really cool. The simple bags really let the fabric do the work to create a chic accessory.

    I’m especially smitten with the aspen looking “branches” print. (It also comes in red and black on white.) The other prints in the collection are really cool too, with lots of creative potential. (The black branches is available from JAQS Fabrics and Fabric.com)

    Fabric Requirements:

     

    Outside of bag: 14″ x 42″ print (⅝  yard – this will give you enough for the strap pieces too.)

    Lining: 14″ x 41″ solid (or contrasting print) (½ yard)

    Pocket: 9″ x 20″ print (¼ yard)

    Strap: 2 pieces 3 ½″ x 42″ (or width of fabric)

    Match-up bag exterior and lining and trim off selvage edge. Trim lining width 1″ shorter than exterior fabric.

    Open up fabrics and match right sides together. Round-off the two corners at one end of the the exterior/lining pieces. (I used a super technical plate as my guide.)

    Pocket (optional): The Pocket is not required, but it is a handy feature and a fun way to show-off another cute print. Fold the rectangle in half width-wise and sew ¼″ seam around three open sides, leaving an opening for turning right-sides out. Trim corners and turn right-sides-out, tuck open edges inside and press. Top-stitch along folded edge.

    Center pocket and pin top-stitched edge of pocket 15″ from the edge with the rounded corners. Stitch pocket in place around three remaining edges, closing opening in the process.

    Match up lining right-sides-together with exterior fabric. Sew pieces together using a ¼″ seam, starting at the end of one long side, around the rounded corners and down the other long side. Leave other short-end open for turning.

    Clip notches in rounded corners before turning right-sides out.

    Turn bag right-sides out. To finish the open edge, fold the exterior fabric down ½″ (make sure sides are tucked in to match seam allowances. Then fold again at the edge of the lining fabric. Top-stitch exterior edge in place to hold it down.

    Fold bottom (non-curved) edge of the bag up on itself 15″ with exterior fabric facing out. This should leave about 10″ of bag that will become the front flap. Pin sides together. Using a ¼″ seam, start sewing a seam on one side of the folded edge. (See blue line.)

    Sew sides together and continue seam around flap with rounded edges to top-stitch together and down second side sewing other second side together and ending at the folded edge.

    Turn bag right-sides out. In side seams will look like “french-seams”. 

    Strap: Match up two 3 ½″ x 42″ right sides together and sew sides together using ¼″ seams. Leave ends open. (The 42″ length seems just right for adults, but it’s very easy to shorten the strap and custom fit it to your height.)

     Turn strap right-sides-out, press sides, tuck in ends and top-stitch edges.

     Fold ends in half and finger-press to find center.

    Use finger-pressed crease to match-up strap with inside-side seams of the bag. Pin in place about 3″ down from the front edge. Sew a rectangle to secure strap in place.

    I sewed mine in place below the front edge of the bag.

    And that’s it! A surprisingly-sturdy bag for very little effort. A great lined-bag project for someone who is just beginning to sew. And very easily customize-able. You could make the same style bag smaller by just starting with two smaller rectangles from the beginning.

    If you are looking for an even easier beginner version (without the front flap) I made a second bag using my original 32-minute Messenger Bag tutorial.

    Plus, it was a fun excuse to play with more of the Mod Studio prints!

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to print (Opens in new window)
    • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

    Related

    « Learn to Applique book
    Bee Blocks + Olympic inspiration »

    Filed Under: Bags, Totes & Pouches, Sewing for Your Home

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa Corry

      February 12, 2014 at 1:50 pm

      This is such a cute bag Amy!! So fun!!!

      Reply
    2. Farm Gate Creations

      February 12, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      Wonderful!

      Reply
    3. Darcy

      February 12, 2014 at 4:02 pm

      Love this :-)<br />

      Reply
    4. Rosa

      February 12, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Pretty nice!

      Reply
    5. Rebecca Greco

      February 12, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      Those fabrics are gorgeous! I absolutely love the pixel-y orange pattern. Those bright oranges are so perfect as a bright pop!

      Reply
    6. MaterialGirlQuilts

      February 13, 2014 at 8:22 am

      This is great and will be perfect for my son to carry his music books back and forth to piano lessons 🙂 Thanks for the tutorial!<br />Amanda

      Reply
    7. Lin Marsh

      February 13, 2014 at 10:09 am

      They both look like great bag patterns. Thanks.<br />linsquilts.blogspot.com

      Reply
    8. Becky

      February 13, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      Wow, thanks for sharing! I will be downloading that tutorial for sure. I love your fabric choices for these.

      Reply
    9. aislinnleondale

      February 14, 2014 at 1:10 am

      i wish to say that this post is really good. i would like to peer extra posts like this. <br /><br />www.n8fan.net

      Reply
    10. Carla

      March 13, 2014 at 8:01 am

      Thanks for the tutorial. Love the bag!<br />

      Reply
    11. Grace Tee

      April 15, 2015 at 1:25 am

      Elegant design!..

      Reply
    12. Liz Baldwin

      April 12, 2016 at 3:17 pm

      Great tutorial, thank you. Quick to make after following your instructions and easy after the first one to change the size and add embellishments. A great start for someone like me who has only ever really made cushions and curtains. :)x

      Reply
    13. sk

      July 23, 2017 at 5:23 pm

      What are the dimensions of the finished bag?

      Reply
    14. Rhonda Stalder

      January 07, 2018 at 7:14 pm

      I am a total beginner wish you posted the material in yards needed.

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 07, 2018 at 9:39 pm

        Oh, great suggestion! I just updated the post with yardage requirements included. Thanks so much for pointing that out!

        Reply
    15. Violet

      February 09, 2020 at 2:08 pm

      Hi Amy! I love easy and fun sewing projects like this! I’ve got a round-up post scheduled for today that links to your tutorial:
      https://icansewthis.com/easy-sewing-projects-for-beginners/

      Best wishes,
      Violet

      Reply

    Leave a ReplyCancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    My name is Amy Smart and I'm a quilter, pattern and fabric designer, wife & mom. Excited to have you here!

    more about me →

    THE PERFECT PLACE TO START

    I SEW WITH

    Baby Lock Sewing Machines

    MY FABRIC COLLECTIONS

    Fabric Collections by Amy Smart for Riley Blake Designs.

    FAVORITE FABRIC SHOPS

    COME SEW WITH ME CRAFTSY CLASS

    Pre-cuts Shortcuts Video Craftsy Class with Amy Smartma

    SEARCH

    Top Posts & Pages

    • Easy Christmas Stocking Pattern & Sewing Tutorial
    • Last minute handmade gifts
    • Diary of a Quilter by Amy Smart - a Quilt blog
    • Gift Guide for Quilters
    • Christmas Ornaments with Decorative Machine Stitching

    Archives

    Gifts for Quilters and sewing lovers
    How to make a Manx Quilt Block
    Top 15 Favorite Free Baby Quilt Tutorials from Diary of a Quilter

    Ideas for Charitable Sewing

    Ideas for Charitable Sewing
    Rainbows and Shamrocks St. Patrick's Day Sewing Projects

    Proud Ambassador for

    Baby Lock Sewing Machines Ambassador

    Check Out My

    Amy Smart Pattern Shop photo Pattern Shop blog tag.jpg Amy Smart sewing tutorials photo Tutorials blog tag.jpg

    The Perfect Place To Start

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    PRIVACY POLICY

    DISCLAIMER

    TERMS & CONDITIONS

    ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

    NEWSLETTER

    SIGN UP for weekly emails including: links to free tutorials, and new projects!

    CONTACT

    FAQ

    This site uses affiliate links:

    I make a small commission on some purchases with no additional cost to the reader.

    As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog