Messenger Bag

Quite some time ago DS was looking for a satchel type messenger bag for study, and wasn’t having a lot of luck. It wasn’t that there weren’t plenty out there, he just didn’t like what was on offer. However like many things, he could find fabric he liked in spotlight,  so there was born another task for dear mother!
The task sat unattempted for quite some time, until recently when I was going on a trip to see DS and thought I really better have it done to take with me. So that left me 3days to design it, cut it & sew it! I did some research of tutorials online, but couldn’t find exactly what I was after ( he needed it large enough for his laptop, and other relevant stuff for shows). So out came the pen, paper and old newspaper.

I drew a plan on the paper after getting the measurements of his laptop, then cut pattern pieces out of the newspaper. The fabric itself was rather thick and didn’t really need lining, however the inside would have been completely black and very hard to find things in. I had an old piece of green printed fabric in the stash, and knew it would be perfect for a lining & pockets etc. Luckily for me DS was after the ‘unfinished look’, so I was able to use exposed overlocker stitch…which made it way easier than having to hide all the stitching!
This is what I came up with, DS is very happy with it. I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out too!
The tools, fabric, plan & newspaper pattern…

The pockets, including pen pockets…

The front, I left the straps long and not sewn together, my son then just tied them together at the right length, adding to the ‘unfinished’ look…

Lifting the front flap slightly…

The bag open…

The inside.