Friday, October 23, 2009

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.




8 comments:

  1. I love it! I want one, too. You are very talanted!

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  2. I love it! I'm with Rochelle, I want one also! Did I mention green is my color? ;-) It's too cute. Great job!

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  3. Hey, that turned out really great! thanks for the linkage. Your camouflage leaves are so something I might do. ha! clever solution.

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  4. I love it. You should start selling these on ETSY.

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  5. Hi! You won the $100 blog makeover from my blog bday party! Please email me to claim it! (kristenwrites@yahoo.com)
    Congrats!

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  6. wow! I wish I could sew, the bag looks great - so cute!

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  7. Your blog is simply amazing! I found your link through A Soft Place to Land and have loved checking everything out today. Hard to believe that so many different and absolutely wonderful blogs link up in one place every week.

    I have so much to learn. :)

    -Francesca

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  8. Very nice job!!! Looks great.

    sweetjeanette.blogspot.com

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