$7 Messenger Bag

It was a dark cold morning when I woke to find my old messenger bag in tatters. Well I did not really awake to find it in tatters it was a long and slow decline. I did however awake having succumb to the fact that it was time to say goodbye to my old messenger bag. It being 4:00 AM at the time I searched instructables for a guide on making a messenger bag. There were many but none seemed quite right for me. The only thing to do now was to design my own!  I figured while I was at it I would do my best to document and describe the process.  Sorry some of the steps don't have a lot of pictures I get caught up in making things and forget to grab the camera sometimes.

With out further ado..."The $7 Messenger Bag!!!"

Step 1 Dream Then Doodle

Think of what you want from your bag. For me I wanted side pockets, a main pouch, a back pouch for papers/thin things, and a pen holder. As for size I took a tape measure to my tattered bag I liked so much to get rough dimensions. Using these dimensions and the knowledge of what I wanted my bag to do I did a wonderfully not to scale doodle of all the parts.

If you are making this exact bag you don't have to dream or doodle you can just take a look at the image of my design. Starting from the top of the drawing then going from left to right we have the pieces. Strap, Front, Right Side, Bottom, Left Side, Right Side Pocket, Back and Fold Over Flap, Left Side Pocket, Back For Paper Pouch. I added an 1/2 inch(1.27cm) seam allowance when working on the bag so I increased all the the measurements show in the design doodle by 1 inch(2.54 cm). If you skip that part your bag will just end up a bit smaller not the end of the world.

Well now that I knew what I wanted to make it was time to get stared.

Comments

[ilpug]

I really like this. I will make one, probably a bit different of a design, but you have inspired me! (as soon as I go to the store and get fabric)

[aaki]

nice tutorial dude.. now i can make one for myself

[Stormy_rayne]

I've been wanting to get me a messenger bag for a while, but I just can't seem to find one i like, your instructions are just what I've been looking for .....thank you for writing this great instuctable.

[TinkeringProductions]

Thanks Stormy. I am glad you like the bag design and instructable. If you end up making one I would love to see how it turns out.