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Free Messenger Bag Pattern & Tutorial

free messenger bag pattern
 
This little boy Messenger Bag Pattern & Tutorial if awesome for making a cute carrying bag for kids.  The step-by-step photos make it easy!

Too busy to make this right away?! Pin it for later!  Pin this project to your favorite craft board on Pinterest and it’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.
little boy messenger bag pattern
 
Be sure to check out this Scrappy Boho Bag, Lego Mat Bag and Yoga Mat Bag Pattern too!
 
My kids like to accessorize.  What can I say.
I like to create things for them to accessorize with!
Total bonus that this one is actually useful.
Welcome to the Little Boy Bike Bag tutorial!
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
Most of the inspiration for this project came from this fun fabric that I found at our local fabric store.  Awesome right!?  And maybe the fact that our boys are biking circles around everyone and having a great time doing it!  
 
So I decided to create a bag that they can carry all of their valuables in {stuffies, cars, rocks, sticks.. you know, the important stuff!} and ride around with.  The bag has a reinforced shoulder strap with an elastic car carrier, a drawstring top, camouflaged pockets and is completely lined and reversible.  

Little Boy Messenger Bag Pattern:

 
You will need fabric in the following dimensions:
Patterned fabric ~ 16 inches by 20 inches
Fabric for lining ~ 16 inches by 20 inches
Patterned circle ~ 7 inches in diameter
Lining circle ~ 7 inches in diameter
Strap ~ 20 inches by 7 inches
Car carrier ~ 40 inches by 2 1/2 inches
 
Other tools and supplies:
1 inch elastic ~ 18 inches
Twill {for drawstring} ~ 22 inches
Quick turn kit
Pins
Safety pin
Coordinating thread
Cute kids to create fun things for
 
Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance throughout.
 
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
1.  Fold the strap piece in half lengthwise and sew together at the top and sides {leaving the bottom open.}  Fold the car carrier piece in half lengthwise and sew the sides together.  Use the quick turn kit to invert the pieces so that right sides are facing out.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
2.  Iron both pieces flat.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
3.  Top stitch the sides and finished end of the strap.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
4.  Pin the finished end of the strap to the bag front, about 3 inches from the top.  Here you can see I have already sewn on “hidden” pockets {to match the fabric pattern}.  No tute for that part I’m afraid.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
5.  Sew the strap to the bag front.  Reinforce with a box or “x” stitch.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
6.  Fold the bag front in half lengthwise and sew the side together, creating a tube of fabric.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
7.  Pull the strap through, on the inside of the tube of fabric, and pin it to the bottom.  Cut small slits {about 1/4 inch} all the way around the bottom of the tube.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
8.  Pin the patterned circle to the bottom of the tube, right sides facing.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
9. Sew the tube to the circle.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
10.  Create a small hole at the top of the tube {about 1/2 inch from the top} for the drawstring to go through.  To do this I stitched a small rectangle around my seam then ripped out the small section of original seam in the rectangle.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
11.  Create a lining using steps 6 – 9 {minus the strap part}.  Invert the lining so that the right side is facing out.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
12.  Place the lining inside the bag front so that right sides are facing.  Sew around the top, leaving a 2 inch hole for inverting.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
13.  Invert the bag and tuck the lining into the bag front.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
14.  Iron the whole thing, especially the top of the bag.  Fold unfinished edges {the 2 inch hole} inwards and iron.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
15.  Top stitch around the top of the bag.  Stitch a line around the top of the bag, 1/2 inch down from the top stitch, to create a pocket for the drawstring.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
16.  Using a safety pin, insert the twill into the pocket. 
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
17.  Knot the ends of the string.  You can stop here or continue to create a car carrier.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
18.  Insert the elastic into the car carrier tube of fabric.  The easiest way to do this is to attach the safety pin to the end of the elastic.  Put the safety pin into the end of the quick turn tube and push it through the car carrier piece.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
19.  Continue to do this until all of the fabric is bunched onto the elastic.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
20.  Pin the ends of the elastic to the ends of the tube of fabric and spread the fabric evenly along the elastic.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
21.  Pin the elastic car carrier to the strap and sew on {tuck the ends under themselves}.  I measured and sewed at 1 1/2 inch intervals to allow room for Hot Wheels cars.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
All done!
A super cute, fun, Little Boy Bike Bag.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
With secret pockets.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
A car carrying strap.
Little Boy Bike Bag ~ a tutorial
And drawstring top.
 
Sure to be a hit with the little boy in your life!
Check out my adult version ~ the Yoga Mat Bag here. 

Thanks for swinging by.
Linking to some of these fab parties.

 

about heather

Hello, I’m Heather!

I'm an active mom of twin boys who is always looking for opportunities to inspire creativity through fun crafts, do-it-yourself projects and delicious recipes. This blog has been an integral part of supporting my little family and I am so grateful to have you become a part of our journey! Let's create together... Read more...

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LOVE the spot for hot wheels! very important feature….

Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday – – you were featured today!!
–Mandy, http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com

That is SOOO cute! I love the elastic on the strap for carrying things, so genius! I have a brand new link party going on and I’d be thrilled if you would share this over there so everyone can see it!

https://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/05/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-1/

Cute cute cute!

Great tutorial! I am featuring on my blog today! (3-9-1013)
https://seemesew.blogspot.com/

Do you sell these? My grandson would ROCK this bag!