Messenger Bag

I used this tutorial to make a messenger bag. It didn't have a pattern for the front flap so I drew out the basic shape. I cut rectangles larger than each side of the leaf. I then sewed two different materials together, then cut out the leaf shape. I then pressed the seams open and used an iron on stabilizer. I then ironed on each leaf to the front of the front panel piece. Before sewing it to the liner zig zag stitch the outside of each leaf and create a stem with ribbon or embroidery thread. I used one of my stitches on my machine to make the stems. I also made cording and added it to the front flap. It really adds a lot of color.

The inside pocket is divided to hold cell phones or glasses. I used this green calico print to line the bag.

There is a big outside pocket on the back.

I lined it with the same fabric that I made the cording out of.

Okay, confession time... After sewing the front flap together I had a leaf that was bugging me. It looked like I had not caught the edge of the material well enough. I went back and added some zig zig stitches to fix it but it left the stitches showing on the inside front flap. Now, that would bug me every time I saw it so I had to either come up with a solution or rip it all apart and redo it right. Let's go the easy route.

I pieced together the scraps from the front appliqued leaves. I then cut out leaf shapes and ironed on fusible stabilizer. I then ironed them onto the inside flap and inside pocket front to look like I meant to do that. Ha, I did, you never heard a thing.

See, clever camouflage.