Tuesday 5 November 2013

Messenger bag with internal divider pocket

Cut out your pieces

From your lining fabric cut:
 x2 12x14” for the main bag
 x1 12x14 with rounded corners for the top flap
 x1 6x16” for the pocket
 x2 3x20” for the straps (Can make it longer if you need to)

From your outer fabric cut:
 x2 12x14” for the main bag
 x1 12x14 with rounded corners for the top flap
 x1 6x16” for the pocket

Make the inner pocket

Place the 2 pocket pieces right sides facing each other.
Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance sew along the top edge only.
Turn pieces right side out and iron the seam.
Top stitch along the top only.

Make the inner bag

Pin pocket to one of the lining pieces for the main bag.
Line up the bottom of the pocket with the bottom of the lining piece.

Sew along the sides of the pocket only.
These stitches are only to hold the pocket in place so try to get as close to the edge as you can.

Place the other main bag lining piece on top.
Pin pieces together.
Using a 1/4” seam allowance sew along the 
  2 sides and along the bottom. 

Add box corners.

Draw a square 1x1” on each of the lower corners.
Cut out the 2 squares.

Pull gently on the corner of the square you have cut.
The 2 seams from the side and bottom will come together
   and should line up.

Pin the edges together.
Using a !/4 seam allowance sew the boxed corners

 Make the outer bag

Place the 2 pieces of the main bag outer fabric together
   right sides facing in to each other.
Pin in place.
Sew along the 2 sides and the bottom edge.
Using the same method as you did with the lining add 
 boxed corners.

Make the closing flap

Place the two flap fabric pieces together with the right sides facing each other.
Pin in place.
Sew along the 2 sides and the bottom edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Cut out little wedges from around the corners.
Cut as close to the stitches as you can.
Be careful not to cut the stitches

Top stitch around the sides and bottom edge.

 Make the straps.

Place the 2 strap pieces on top of each other.
Using a 1/4 seam allowance sew down the 2 long edges of the strap.
Turn the strap the right way out.
Iron the strap and add top stitching to the long sides.

Attach strap

Place one end of the strap so that it sits over the side seam of the outer bag.
Make sure that the seam is ligned up with the centre of the strap.
Sew as close to the edge of the seam as you can.
Repeat with the other end of the strap.
Make sure the strap is not twisted! 

Pin the closing flap to one side of the bag.
The outer fabrics should be facing each other.
Make sure it is placed centrally.

Sew the outer and inner bags together


With the outer bag section facing the right way place it inside the inner bag.
The inner bag will be inside out so that the pocket you made should be facing the patterned outer piece.
Make sure the pocket is on the same side as the closing flap.
Starting at the front sew the two section together.
Leave a 3 inch gap between the start and finishing stitches
 

Turn the bag through the gap.
Top stitch around the last seam closing the gap as you go. 

Admire your handy work.