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.

Bandana bib with pdf pattern

Lets get started!

Print and cut out the pdf pattern (click here) for the bandana bib.
Use the pattern to create a cotton top piece and a microfibre fleece backing.

Layer your pieces

Place your fleece right side up.

Place your cotton on top right side facing down.

Pin together both layers.

Start sewing

Start sewing half way down one of the lower sides of the bib.
Sew a continuous line all the way around the bib.
Stop sewing approximately 2 inches before you started, to leave a gap.
Remember to add reverse stitching at the start and finish.

Carefully trim away the excess fabric at the point of the bib.
Cut close to the stitching. But, be careful not to cut the sttiches.

Finishing details

Using the gap you left earlier pull the bib through the hole to get it the right way round.
Iron the bib flat making sure that where the gap has a nice finish.

Top stitch around the entire bib.
I like to use the needle in the right hand position and the use the edge as a guide.

Add Closures

I like to use Kam snaps.

You can use velcro if you want to.

Please note that this tutorial is for personal use only. If you wish to use our pattern to make bibs to sell at craft fayres, on-line or via any retail outlet you will need to purchase a license from us.  

Lined tote bag with boxed corners

Gather your supplies

You will need to pieces of fabric.  One for the outside of your bag and one for the liner.  Both pieces should be cut to 29x16inches.

You will also need to cut 4 pieces to 3by32 inches.

Sewing the lining

Fold the lining fabric in half length ways.

If using a patterned lining fabric the faces should be inside and facing each other.

Sew down both sides of the lining.  Remember to reverse stitch at the beginning.

I like to use the edge of my sewing foot as a guide. 

 At the bottom of the lining cut out a square from each corner that measures 1.75 inches on each side.

 To get the boxed shape, pull the crease from the fold up towards the side seam 

Pin in place.

Sew along the edge to closed the hole you created.

Put in extra stitches at the start and finish.

That is your first box corner completed. 

Repeat for the other bottom corner.

 Sew the outside of the bag

Fold fabric in half with front sides facing each other.

Sew side seams.

Make boxed corners.

Make the shoulder straps

 Take 2 pieces and sew along the long sides.
Turn inside out so the seams are now inside and iron.
Repeat for the other strap.

Attach the straps to the bag

Turn the outside section of the bag so it is facing the "right" way.
Pin the straps to the outer bag Make sure the straps are facing down.
Mine were pinned so the center of the straps were 3 inches from the sides.
Make sure the straps are not twisted and are sitting straight.

Sew each strap.
 Remember to remove the pins as you are sewing.

Sew together the outer and the lining

 Fold over 1/2 inch at the top of the outer section and iron flat.

 Fold over 1/2 inch at the top of the outer section and iron flat.

place your bag lining inside the outer.

Line up the folded top edges and pin in place.

I like to line up the side seams and pin those together first.

 Sew a row of stitching around the top of the bag.

Admire the finished bag 

Lined pouch with top zip.

Lets get started!

You will need:

- 2 pieces of lining fabric cut to 8x6 inches.

- 2 pieces of patterned fabric for the outer cut to 8x 6 inches

- 1 8 inch zip

- 2 pieces for the zip tabs cut to 3x1.5 inches.

You can use a scissors. But, I like the rotary cutter. It is quicker and easier.

Prepare the flaps

Fold in each of the short sides by 1/4 inch and iron.

Fold in half and iron again

Sew on the "flaps"

Place the zip inside the flaps so the end touches the crease.

This should cover the metal parts of the zip and give you enough space to sew safely. 

Sew a row of stitches as close to the edge of the fabric as you can.

Repeat at the other end of the zip.

Sew on first side of zip

Place the lining fabric (face down if patterned) in front of you.

Lay the zip on top face up.  Make sure it is half open!

Next place your patterned outer piece face down. 

The edges of the fabric should be lined up with the top of the zip.

Pin in place.

Using a zipper foot sew start at the left hand side sew all the way across, reverse stitching at the start and finish.

If you have never used a zipper foot before, line the right side of the foot with the edge of the zip. The left side of the foot will rest on the teeth of the zip. The needle will be quite close to the zip. Sew until you are approaching the zip pull.  Stop. Make sure your needle is fully down and then lift the foot up. Gently move the zip pull past your needle then lower your foot and continue sewing.  Don't worry if it's not perfect the first time round. It does get easier with practice, I promise!

When you have finished attaching the zip place the liner and outer fabric the right way round.

Iron along the folds. 

Attach fabrics to the other side of the zip

Place your lining fabric down (face down if patterned).

Place the zip and fabric from last step face up on top.

Place your other lining fabric face down on top.  

If you have done this correctly the two patterned pieces will be facing each other.

Pin in place so the top edge of the zip, lining and patterned fabrics are all lined up.

Make sure the zip is half open.

Using the same process as you just did sew a line all the way across from the left to the right.

Top stitching

Open the pouch so that the patterned outer is facing up and both liners are facing down.

Pulling gently on the fabric pieces, iron along the folds.

Top stitching is adding an extra row of stitches for decorative purposes,  

When used alongside a zip they also add strength to the finished product and stop the fabric getting caught in the zip.

I like to use stitch length 3 to top stitch and I use the zipper foot. It's still on the machine and it gives you more space to see where the seam lies.

Just like when you added the zip you will need to make sure the zip is half open before you start and then move the zip pull past the needle whilst sewing

Making the pouch

Open your zip half way.

Pull the lining fabric to one side of the zip and pull the patterned outer to one side.

Pin at the corners.

Make sure that the zip folds towards the outside pieces and pin in place.

Sew around all 4 sides leaving a 2 inch gap in the lining.

Trim excess fabric from the corners.

This will give you nice sharp corners. Be careful not to cut the stitching.

Pull your pouch through the gap in the liner so it is all the right way round.  

Sew the gap in the lining closed.

Admire the finished product!