Tuesday, October 8

Day 8 - Messenger Bag

Welcome back, friends! This month we're working on 31 handmade gifts for everyone on your list. You can find links to the full series here.


Week two is all for the kids. We started with a project for the boys and one for the girls, but the rest of the week will be more gender neutral to give you a wider range of gift options. We'll start with some super cute little messenger bags!


You can choose between two sizes - I have one for toddlers and one for bigger kids!


Here's what you need to make one:
  • 1/2 yard outer & strap fabric (a heavier weight like canvas or duck cloth. I used denim and corduroy. if you plan your cuts you can get either bag out of 1/2 yard, but if you have a directional fabric you may want a bit extra to be safe)
  • 1/2 yard inner fabric (quilting cotton is fine)
  • 1/2 yard flap fabric (or a fat quarter. quilting cotton is fine)
  • 1/2 yard medium weight iron-on interfacing
  • thread
  • snap/velcro (optional)



Start by prewashing and drying your fabrics. Then cut out your pieces:

For a Toddler Bag
From Outer Fabric:
2 body pieces - 12 x 9"
1 flap piece - 9.5 x 8"
1 strap piece - 28 x 8"

From Lining Fabric:
2 body pieces - 12 x 9"

From Flap Fabric:
1 flap piece - 9.5 x 8"

From Interfacing:
2 body pieces - 12 x 9"
1 flap piece - 9.5 x 8"

For a Big Kid Bag
From Outer Fabric:
2 body pieces - 15 x 12"
1 flap piece - 11 x 12.5"
1 strap piece - 42 x 8"

From Lining Fabric:
2 body pieces - 15 x 12"

From Flap Fabric:
1 flap piece - 11 x 12.5"

From Interfacing:
2 body pieces - 15 x 12"
1 flap piece - 11 x 12.5"

The directions are the same for either size bag. Let's start with the strap. Fold the strap in half lengthwise and press. Open it back up and fold each long edge in toward the center crease and press.


Fold on the center crease. You can pin it together if you want, I usually just wing it without. :)


Stitch along both long ends with a 1/4" seam allowance.


Now apply the interfacing to the back side of the outer fabric pieces (both body pieces and the flap).


Lay the interfaced flap piece face down on the flap fabric, right sides together. The longer sides are the top and bottom, the shorter sides are the sides. Ha.


Use a pen to draw a line rounding one bottom corner (or you can trace the edge of a bowl or cup if you don't want to freehand it). Fold the flap in half and cut through all the layers to make sure the corners match.


When you open it up it should look like this:


Stitch around the sides and bottom edge with a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving the top edge open.


Clip the curves.


Flip the flap right side out and press. Topstitch around the sides and bottom with a 1/4" seam allowance.


To make the body, star by laying the outer body pieces (with interfacing) right sides together.

 

Stitch around the sides and bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance.



To make a gusset in the bottom, flatten one corner out so the seams are lined up with each other on top and bottom (see the pic below). Pin the corner flat. Mark a line 2" long across the corner.


Stitch along the line you marked, back stitching at each end. Clip the corner leave about 1/2" of seam allowance by the stitching.


Now assemble the lining. Start by laying the two lining pieces out with right sides together. Stitch around the sides and bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance, but this time leave a 4" opening at the center of the bottom edge for turning. Or if your like me, forget to leave a hole and go back later to make one with seam ripper. Yay.


Make a gusset in the lining just like you did with the outer fabrics. Flatten the corner and mark a line 2" long.


Stitch along the line and trim the extra fabric on the corner.


Now we can put the whole thing together! Woohoo! Start by centering one end of the strap on one side of the bag like this. The end of the strap should be flush with the top edge of the bag, and the side seam of the bag should be at the middle of the strap. Pin the other end to the other side of the bag the same way.


The strap will run under the bag like this when it's pinned.


Now pin the flap on. Lay it right side down on the back side of the bag. Line up the raw edge with the top edge of the bag. Pin it in place.


With the lining fabric wrong side out, slip the body with the pieces you just pinned into the lining. Line up the top edges and side seams. Pin the lining to the body. Sew around the top of the bag with a 1/2" seam allowance.


Flip the bag right side out through the hole in the lining.


Tuck in the raw edges as the opening and stitch the opening closed.


Tuck the lining into the bag and press.


Topstitch around the top edge of the bag with a 1/4" seam allowance.


If you want you can add a line of velcro or a magnetic snap to your bag, but I just went without. And that's it!


These can be made in either size and for a girl or a boy, so you have quite a few options here!


The larger size is big enough for notebooks and folders, but it's also great for toys and snacks on a long drive.


The smaller bag is perfect for the little ones to carry a few toys and maybe a sippy cup. B took off with this one and I found it later full of dinosaurs. :)


Bags are also a great way to give a gift set. Fill one with cars and a travel car mat for a little boy, or make one as a diaper bag for a little girl and give it to her filled with doll diapers, wipes, and a tiny blanket!


They would also be great stuffed with art supplies or filled with new jammies and a toothbrush for an overnight trip to grandma's house.


I saved some money on the smaller bag by upcycling an old pair of my husbands jeans. If I had planned it better I would have tried using the seat of the pants so it would have built-in pockets!


Here's about what it would cost to make one of these bags today:

$3.50 - 1/2 yard of duck cloth from hobby lobby w/ coupon
$3.00 - 1/2 yard quilting cotton for lining
$3.00 - 1/2 yard quilting cotton for flap (but you could save some $$ and use the same 1/2 yard of fabric for your lining)
$1.00 - thread, on sale
$1.50 - interfacing

Total: $12.00


You can cut the cost quite a bit if you shop carefully. I upcycled jeans (and used leftover corduroy from my MIL), bought lining fabrics on clearance and at a yard sale, and stocked up on interfacing on black Friday last year when it was something ridiculous like $1/yard. So I probably spent more like $4-5 per bag.


With the size options and all the fabrics out there, you can really make a unique bag for everyone on your list! Have fun with it and get creative. Try adding pockets or use a contrasting fabric (or an old belt!) for the strap.


Who would you love to make a little messenger bag for? Do you prefer a different bag style for kids?

2 comments:

  1. i'm totally and completly hooked on your blog! you are SO creative, SO frugal and seem like such a good mom! i sure wish this was around when my son was little! now, i'm making the things you've left instructions for, for my grandson ;-) LOVE this one! santa will be making this for christmas and filling it with crayons, coloring books, and little toy cars and all things little boys like!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha, I don't know about all that! Thank you though! :) I'm glad you're enjoying the blog, I'd love to see pics of anything you make. :)

      Delete

Subscribe