Las Vegas Living

How to Make a Messenger Bag

This page gives very detailed instructions with pictures on how to make this messenger bag from an Asian brocade fabric.

The messenger bag was made from a Asian brocade fabric, lined with a black satin and measures 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches deep when finished.

If you can do a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine, you can do this bag.

Here's How to do Messenger Bag

Satins and these soft brocades will hold up much better if you take the extra step and finish the fabric edges with a zigzag to stop the fraying.

I started with a piece of black brocade fabric that was 18 x 50 inches. The lining was 54 inches wide and about 1/2 of a yard of a heavy satin polyester blend.

I use a cutting mat and a rotary blade with clear ruler to cut this messenger bag.

Cut a piece of both asian brocade fabric and black satin liningto 34 x 11. This will make the bag and the flap all one piece so there would not be a bottom seam pulling apart from weight.

Then cut 2 pieces of asian brocade fabric to 49 x 3 inches for the strap.

Cut 2 pieces of both asian brocade fabric and black satin lining to 3 x 11 inches for the gusset side pieces.

From only the asian brocade fabric cut one piece 10 x 7 inches for inside pocket.

TIP On all straight sewing when you begin a seam, after 1/2 inch of sewing go in reverse to lock the stitching then continue the rest of the seam and again at the end of the seam repeat the process to make ends of a seam stay together.

Press a hem edge all the way around on 10x7 pocket piece.

Put a zigzag stitch on outer edge all the way around to prevent fraying.

Pin down edge and hem by topstitching all the way around on pocket.

Pin the pocket onto the black lining centered 3 1/2 inches from the top edge.

Leave a bit of space on pocket openings for access and pin down for stitching slots on pocket.

Attach by topstitching as shown to black lining.

Match the top edge of gusset with the top edge of lining. Pin the gusset side piece (11x3 inch piece) to lining.

Stitch gusset side piece to lining.

Make sure to stop stitching 1/2 inch from lower edge.

Snip lining to make one corner as shown.

View from other side.

Turn fabric to put lower edge of gusset on next section of lining which will then form a corner. Pin to secure.

Position one pin to stop stitching 1/2 inch from edge.

Stitch lower edge and snip next corner.

Then proceed to pin and then seam the other long side of gusset piece.

Repeat process for other side of liner.

To strengthen liner, topstitch close to side seams on both sides.

Take the main piece of asian brocade fabric and pin the side gusset on side.

Sew the sides in the same process as the liner.

Brocade fabric can fray so I zigzaged the edge.

Turn bag to the right side and topstitch close to side seams.

To join bag with liner, take liner with seams showing outside and put the brocade bag inside the liner (the brocade bag has seams to inside).

Pin together matching gusset side seams.

Stitch bag to liner starting a couple of inches from the corner of one side of flap.

Stitch around the opening of the bag and end stitching a couple of inches from the other corner of flap.

Clip corners. Do NOT stitch flap closed.

Turn bag right side out through the opening that was not sewn on the flap.

Press. Topstitch all around the bag opening and to close the flap.

Sew the right sides together of the strap leaving one end open.

Turn strap to the right side out through the open end.

When strap is turned, fold raw ends inside and pin the opening closed. Press and topstitch.

Fold strap at top of gusset side area and pin.

Attach strap with the stitched square with an X.

The images for Bride Bag Messenger Bag show the stitching pattern for attaching the strap more clearly.