Do you need a new bag for your tablet, or maybe a book or two, or even some snacks for when you take your kids to the park? This Easy DIY Messenger Bag Tutorial will help you create the perfect bag for keeping all the things you need right at your fingertips! Perhaps you know someone attending school or want to make your kids a special new bag for school at home! With these easy steps, you’ll have your new Messenger Bag made before you know it. This bag is quick and easy to make, too. You can knock this out in about 30 minutes or less depending on your skill level. One thing I really like about this messenger bag is how versatile it is. You can use it for school, as a cute weekend bag, or even as a crafting bag. I made one of these to keep my daughters crafting stuff in for when she goes over to a friends house to craft.
This tutorial has several steps that include interfacing, which will help your bag to remain sturdy through use. Pick some of your favorite fabrics and let’s make an awesome bag!
Printable PDF Version of how to sew a Messenger Bag - This PDF version has been optimized for printing and you won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. If you would like to purchase an ad free printable version of this sewing pattern & tutorial, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for Messenger Bag - PDF Download & you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this messenger bag pattern & tutorial or you can keep reading for the free version of this tutorial.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 yard of the outer fabric
- 1 yard of lining fabric
- 2 yards of medium weight fusible interfacing
- Sew-on Velcro
- Fabric Pen
- Thread
- Chopstick or turning tool
- Scissors
- Sewing Pins or clips
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Optional: Rotary cutter and mat
How To Make A Easy DIY Messenger Bag
Before you begin the process of putting your easy diy messenger bag together, you’ll want to wash, dry, and press your fabric. This prepares the fabric for your project and helps if you ever need to wash it in the future because of a stain. You will also want to cut all of your pieces before starting. By prepping your fabric your project will go more smoothly!
Cut the following:
- Two 16”x11” pieces in your outer, lining fabrics and interfacing. This is for the body of the bag.
- Two 13”x11” pieces in your outer and one in your interfacing. This is for the flap of the bag.
- Two 30”x6” pieces in your lining and one in your interfacing. This is for the strap of the bag.
- Two 12”x6” piece in your outer and one in your interfacing. This is for the outer pocket of the bag.
- Two 12”x6” piece in your lining and one in your interfacing. This is for the inner pocket of the bag.
First, you will iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the 12”x6” pieces of outer messenger bag pocket fabric. Place both pieces of the outer pocket fabric with right sides together, pin or clip together and using a ½” seam allowance, sew around all 4 sides, leaving a 3” opening for turning.
Next, using a turning tool, turn the pocket right side out.
Now, using a warm iron press the messenger bag pocket flat.
Next on this easy diy messenger bag tutorial, we will do the same thing to the outer fabric. Iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of one of the 16”x11” of the outer pieces of fabric. Place the outer piece of fabric right side up, and place the pocket right side up on top. Position the pocket so that it is at least 2” from the bottom and is an equal distance on either side. Pin in place.
Now it’s time to sew them together! Using a ¼ seam allowance, attach the pocket to the outer piece of fabric on the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Be sure to backstitch where you begin and end your stitching to reinforce those areas.
Now, you will repeat steps 1-8 for the inner pocket, which will be placed onto one of the 16”x11” pieces of the lining. I sewed some vertical lines down the pocket to hold my phone, some pens, etc. I included a picture for reference. Of course, this is optional 😊
Cut a 2”x2” square from the bottom corner of each piece of the outer pieces of fabric. With right sides together, pin or clip together
Next, using a ½” seam allowance, sew the sides and bottom together, leaving the openings of the corners open. Repeat for the lining. Press your seams open.
Next, make a box corner by pinching the opening of the corners and lining up the seams.
Then, you’ll pin or clip the opening closed.
You are about halfway through your easy DIY Messenger Bag tutorial! Using a ¼” seam allowance, close the opening.
Next, let’s work on the strap! Iron the interfacing to the strap fabric. Fold each side over ¼ and iron in place, and then fold in half and iron in place.
Pin or clip and using a ¼” seam allowance, sew in place.
Now, using a cup or small plate, round off two of the wide corners of flap.
Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of one piece of the flap fabric. Place both pieces of the outer pocket fabric with right sides together, pin or clip together.
Next, using a ½” seam allowance, sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Using a warm iron, press.
With right sides together, pin or clip the flap to one side of the outer bag. The flap will be 3” smaller in width, so line it up equally. Using a ½” seam allowance, attach the flap to the bag.
Now it is time to put the bag together! You are going to place the bag together with right sides together, pin or clip the lining inside the outer bag. Place your strap in between the two bags, with one end of the strap between the seams on one end of the bag and the other end of the strap between the seams on the other end of the bag.
Finally, using a ½” seam allowance, sew all around the perimeter of the bag, leaving a 3-4” opening to turn the bag right side out. Turn the bag right side out. Iron the top seams down and topstitch all around the perimeter, securing the opening for turning closed.
Enjoy your new DIY messenger bag! Now you have a great bag that not only is made from the style, color, and type of fabrics you love, but is one you made! This bag will be useful for years to come! Now that you are familiar with the process make some for family, kids, or even friends! I enjoy making them to give to the international students at our local college!
If you liked this easy diy messenger bag tutorial, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
Easy DIY Messenger Bag Tutorial
Would you like to make a trendy messenger bag to keep all your things together and handy? This Easy DIY Messenger Bag Tutorial will help you create a fun and stylish bag for anyone in your life! It makes an amazing gift!
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the 12”x6” pieces of outer pocket fabric.
- Place both pieces of the outer pocket fabric with right sides together, pin or clip together.
- Using a ½” seam allowance, sew around all 4 sides, leaving a 3” opening for turning.
- Using a turning tool, turn the pocket right side out.
- Using a warm iron, press.
- Iron the interfacing onto the wrong side of one of the 16”x11” of the outer pieces of fabric.
- Place the outer piece of fabric right side up, and place the pocket right side up on top. Position the pocket so that it is at least 2” from the bottom and is an equal distance on either side.
- Pin in place.
- Using a ¼ seam allowance, attach the pocket to the outer piece of fabric on the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Be sure to backstitch where you begin and end your stitching to reinforce those areas.
- Repeat steps 1-8 for the inner pocket, which will be placed onto one of the 16”x11” pieces of the lining.
- I sewed some vertical lines down the pocket to hold my phone, some pens, etc. Of course, this is optional 😊
- Cut a 2”x2” square from the bottom corner of each piece of the outer pieces of fabric.
- With right sides together, pin or clip together and using a ½” seam allowance, sew the sides and bottom together, leaving the openings of the corners open.
- Repeat for the lining. Press your seams open.
- Make a box corner by pinching the opening of the corners and lining up the seams.
- Pin or clip the opening closed.
- Using a ¼” seam allowance, close the opening.
- Iron the interfacing to the strap fabric.
- Fold each side over ¼ and iron in place, and then fold in half and iron in place.
- Pin or clip and using a ¼” seam allowance, sew in place.
- Using a cup or small plate, round off two of the wide corners of flap.
- Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of one piece of the flap fabric. Place both pieces of the outer pocket fabric with right sides together, pin or clip together.
- Using a ½” seam allowance, sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Using a warm iron, press.
- With right sides together, pin or clip the flap to one side of the outer bag.
- Using a ½” seam allowance, attach the flap to the bag.
- Pin or clip the lining inside the outer bag.
- Place your strap in between the two bags, with one end of the strap between the seams on one end of the bag and the other end of the strap between the seams on the other end of the bag.
- Using a ½” seam allowance, sew all around the perimeter of the bag, leaving a 3-4” opening to turn the bag right side out.
- Turn the bag right side out. Iron the top seams down and topstitch all around the perimeter, securing the opening for turning closed.
- Enjoy
Notes
Cut the following:
Two 16”x11” pieces in your outer, lining fabrics and interfacing. This is for the body of the bag.
Two 13”x11” pieces in your outer and one in your interfacing. This is for the flap of the bag.
Two 30”x6” pieces in your lining and one in your interfacing. This is for the strap of the bag.
Two 12”x6” piece in your outer and one in your interfacing. This is for the outer pocket of the bag.
Two 12”x6” piece in your lining and one in your interfacing. This is for the inner pocket of the bag.
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