It is so hard to find the perfect purse. I have an orange one that I love, but it's impossible to find anything in there. It has only two little side pockets, and everything just falls to the bottom in a mess. It is officially "The Pit." I have a black one that's pretty easy to find things in, but it's boring and black. I have a brown messenger bag I love, but it's too small for my "mom-with-small-children" needs. I decided it was time to make myself a new bag, and I fell in the love the grey and citron line from Ty Pennington. I thought it would make the perfect spring bag. I used the quilting weight fabric and quite heavy interfacing for this project.
I was so thrilled when this all came together that I just about did a happy dance when I finished. I designed this bag by pulling together my favorite aspects of my current bags as well as things from other bags I have seen.
I made this as a messenger style bag because I love the hands-free aspect. With three kids who are always running different directions, I need something I don't have to hold onto. It has about double the interior space of my brown messenger bag and fits almost everything I would need for a normal outing. The base is 13" x 4" and it's about 11" tall.
Notice how the pocket fabric pattern matches up with the bag fabric! That was a little tricky, but totally worth it on the front and back pockets. I love how the pockets just blend in.
The little pocket on the flap is for all those punch cards and business cards from my wallet. They are easy to get to right here. Since they are nice and flat, the flap was the perfect place for a card pocket. I'm slowly getting better at adding zippers like this.
I added pleats to the base of these grey pockets to make space for larger things such as lotion, sunglasses, and antibacterial gel. There is also a small zipper pocket above these grey pockets not visible in this picture.
I put a couple flat pockets on the other side for my cell phone and lip gloss.
The center divider pocket with a zipper was one of my favorite additions. I pulled this idea from my black purse, but wanted it to be stiffer. I used a fairly heavy interfacing on the outer fabric of both sides of the divider. It currently holds Clorox wipes for nasty shopping carts. It's also big enough for my little netbook.
One of my other favorite things I added to this bag was a little flap with a snap to hold my keys--no more digging at the bottom of the pit to find them.
I learned several things from designing this bag. There are a few things I would change for next time, but overall I was surprisingly satisfied with how it came out. I've made multiple bags before, and that experience certainly helped. One of my favorite basic messenger bag tutorials I have used is from mmmcrafts. I've made four bags for myself and others from this tutorial alone. I used this tutorial as my base for this bag and then made changes from there. I also studied several bags from Amy Butler's Style Stitches book for ideas on how to actually construct this.
Now that I've made my mistakes on this bag and figured out what works and what doesn't, I sort of want to make another one. You always need a few great bags to switch out, right?
I'm possibly, sort of, maybe, somewhat considering putting together a tutorial on this bag and doing it sew-along style in a number of different posts. I'm just wondering how much interest there would be. I'm not certain I'm up for it, and definitely not committed to all that work yet, but I'm thinking about it. It's a nice diversion from quilting as I've been feeling a little burned out on quilting recently. I love making bags and pillow covers because they can be finished up in just a few days.
My husband was a trooper on this project. He put up with me for the past week while I obsessed over this and stayed up way too late finishing it Friday night. He even gave me some kid-free time to work on it Friday afternoon.
On a side note, I hit 200 followers the other day. I was pretty excited about that. Stick around; we'll have a little giveaway to celebrate coming up soon.
I'm linking up to Megan's Sew Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations. Go check out the other great projects.
I love your bag! I have a tute for messengers as well, they are so awesome to make! Love your bright spring-y colors! You will get a lot of milage out of this baby!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love this, Kati!! And the way you lined up your pocket on the back is just stunning, wow. This looks like the kind of bag any mom would be proud to carry, even without the kids around :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, your bag is cute! I really enjoy making bags too, because not only are they quicker than quilts (sometimes), you can really show off some beautiful fabric! Nice job.
ReplyDeleteWow! You might work up a tutorial?? I got 3 photos down, fell in love, and wished you might be doing up a tutorial or developing a pattern I could purchase. LOVE IT!! Interested? YES!!! :D
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if you'd make a tutorial. I love all the little extras that you put into this bag. Especially the key fob! Either way, thanks for giving me ideas to play with and maybe incorporate into my next bag.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely up for a sew-along. I'd love a new bag & a sew-along would be great motivation to get it done!
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing Kati!!! I would love to learn how to make one of these!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great bag! All the must haves in a purse, and love the colors! I have put key hook in the bags I make too. I use a swivel key hook like this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Swivel-Snap-Hook-Split-Ring/dp/B0009TMUN2
So I can easily snap them in and out.
Great job,love it.
That bag is awesome! I would love a tutorial or sew along. All those pockets are fantastic, that's definitely the down side to large puses, as you said it's more like a pit where you can't find anything! Great job!!
ReplyDeleteI would love do a sew-along too!
ReplyDeleteVery nice bag with all the extra pockets.
That is a great bag! I may be interested in sewing along if you do it.
ReplyDeleteI would do the sew-along for sure. This is a very impressive bag, and I would love to learn how to sew things like this! Nice job, Kati!
ReplyDeleteLove the bag - a sew along for it would be fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI bought some of this fabric a couple weeks ago because I loved it so much, then realized that I have no other green/yellow colors that would match it in a quilt. What a great idea to use it in a bag. And this bag is amazing! I'm getting so sick of my current purse that I'd be all for doing a sew-along if you host one.
ReplyDeleteGreat bag! I would love a tutorial on it. I have been thinking about making a messenger bag. yeah.
ReplyDeleteThat is an absolutely amazing bag! A-mazing! I love how the pocket patterns match up with the bag patterns. You rock!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it! And I'm super-picky about purses. I literally have one pattern that I've used for the last 7-8 years :-O. Maybe most purse designers don't have kids?! My current bag is starting to fall apart! I love the idea of a sew-a-long! Super job!!!
ReplyDeleteIts a great bag. You have added all the things I always want to add to bag patterns, and I don't even have kids!
ReplyDeleteI would love to join you in a sew-a-long for this bag. I like the bag and all of the pockets inside and out. Take care and God bless, Cory
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic! I would be interested in making one. Love all the pockets and holders. That is always what I find lacking in purse patterns. Love your usage of Ty Pennington too.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this bag! I would be interested in a sew along.
ReplyDeleteAnd contests on hitting 200 followers!
I would totally be up for a sew along! All the things that you included in your bag is what I want in one for myself, but had yet to find!! Hope you feel up to it and I'd love to do it along with you!
ReplyDeleteAwesome bag!! :) I love the grey print it's amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 200 followers!! I really like the bag, it's the first thing I've seen sewn with that Ty Pennington fabric, and it looks just great!
ReplyDeleteI think the pockets and all the compartments are really amazing!!
Yes, yes, yes! I love it. Looks like a great purse. It has all my required elements and my favorite part is the divided zipper pocket. I would definitely make one if you were to do a tutorial.
ReplyDeleteThanks for even considering it.
Love, love, love the messenger bag!! I would absolutely do a sew along - please :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic bag! I would be TOTALLY excited about a tutorial and THRILLED BEYOND WORDS for a sew-along! I would even be tickled pink if you SOLD a pattern for this bag - it looks wickedly wonderful. AND, even if you don't do a tutorial, I must say congrats on 200 followers, and a great new messenger bag! I really enjoy your blog :)
ReplyDeleteI like how organized the inside is. I need something like that!
ReplyDeletei LOVE this bag and would so jump on board for a sew along! you thought of everything-it's incredibly well thought out and very well designed. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteSew along messenger bag? I'm in! Great bag - I would even buy the pattern. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!!! I'd love a tutorial, sew along, or pattern....looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou have really outdone yourself. I hope you bring it to MQG this Thursday.
ReplyDeleteThe key holder is brilliant! I love bags with lots of pockets!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE to make bags! If you decide to do a PAL (project along), I'm with you!
ReplyDeleteI would love a tutorial. It is a great bag. You did a marvelous job. Let us know if you are going to do it.
ReplyDeleteAdorable! I love these fabrics. And I'm in need of a new spring bag, so I'm in if you are! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat bag Kati! I love the fabric. I say go for the sew along! Thanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday!
ReplyDeleteI really really really would LOVE a tutorial of this bag.
ReplyDeleteThis is Fabulous!!!
I love this bag! I have all the same issues with my bags as you, and I don't have little kids anymore. If you put together a tutorial I would finally make myself one, helps to have someone hold your hand along the way like a tutorial. I always appreciate the time and effort that bloogers like yourself put into tutorials. I am hoping enough of your readers can encourage your to post this tutorial, we would be so grateful.
ReplyDeleteI'm speechless. This bag is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt's got so many features that make a perfect bag and quite a few tricks I would not think of.
A tutorial would be so great - even if I'm probably not skilled enough (yet ;)) I'd definitely want to try.
Nice bag. I love being able to costomize things to your own needs, and get the pockets you want.
ReplyDeleteYou are pretty ambitious to even consider making a tutorial for the bag. I have a hard time following a pattern and usually just wing it so to actually sit down and make a pattern would take a lot from me.
какая хорошая сумка ! я бы тоже такую сшила .
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog and I am in love with this bag! I am hoping and praying you'll do a tutorial. =) If you do, I hope you let us all know!
ReplyDeleteI just made my first bag. I love it, but it is not exactly what I am looking for, but YOURS IS! Soooo praying you do a tutorial. Pretty please. Or a pattern. I would happily buy it.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever put together a pattern for this? I have been looking for a pattern for a purse forever, and nothing I have seen is the perfect picture of what is in my brain, until yours! This has EVERYTHING I want!
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