Reversible Messenger Bag Tutorial

Here's what you will need:

Main body -2 pieces of home dec weight fabric or corduroy measuring 14" x 12" (Fabric A)

Main body-2 pieces of contrasting home dec weight fabric measuring 14" x 12" (Fabric B)

Flap- 1 piece of Fabric A- 12" x 11.5"

Flap- 1 piece of Fabric B- 12" x 11.5"

Back Pocket- 1 piece of Fabric A- 14" x 8"

Back pocket- 1 piece of Fabric B- 14" x 8"

Small Pocket- 1 piece of Fabric B- 7" x 12"

Strap- 1 piece of Fabric A- 6" x 42"

Depending on the weight of your fabric, you may want to interface it. I interfaced all the corduroy pieces, except the strap piece.

I purchased 1 yard of each fabric and had plenty of fabric left over.

Let's get started.

Cut out all your pieces.

Cut a 1 inch square out of the bottom corners of all 4 pieces.

Interface pieces. I used a lightweight iron-on interfacing.

Take your strap piece and iron each side towards the middle.

Then fold in half and iron. Then stitch along both sides. Set aside.

Round the corners of the flap pieces. I used a bowl.

With right sides together sew the flap pieces together leaving the top open.

Clip the curves.

Turn right side out and iron.

With right sides together sew your pocket pieces across the top and bottom leaving the sides open.

Turn right side out and topstitch the top and bottom.

Place the pocket piece on one of the main fabric pieces like below.

As you can tell from the photo my pocket was a little short on the side so I decided to add a strip of twill tape on each side.

Stitch across the bottom of the pocket. I stitched 2 lines to add extra support.

I did not get a photo of the this, but take the small pocket pieces and fold in half with right sides together. Sew all the way around leaving a gap for turning. Turn right side out. Top stitch across the top of the pocket. Then sew pocket to a main body Fabric B piece like below.

Take your 2 main body Fabric A pieces with right sides together and sew along each side and the bottom. Do not sew the square that you cut out of each piece.

Repeat with your Fabric B pieces.

Take your main body pieces and box the corners and sew. See photo below.

Turn the Fabric A main body right side out.

Take your flap piece and pin it right side down on top of the side with the back pocket. Line up the raw edges. Baste flap to bag.

Center the straps on each side. Baste in place.

Take your Fabric A main body and place it inside the Fabric B main body. Rights sides will be together.

Make sure that the small inside pocket is facing the side with the flap.

Sew around the outside of the bag leaving a 3 inch gap for turning. Make sure to leave the gap is on the opposite side of the flap.

Turn the bag right side out through the opening.

Push the Fabric B part of the bag inside the Fabric A part of the bag.

Pin the gap shut.

Topstitch all the way around.

You are done.

Now decide which side you like the best.

Please let me know if you make the bag. I would love to see photos.

edited to add: I have created a flickr group, so if you make something from one of my tutorials please add it to my flickr pool.

Here are photos of the first one I made.

*****November 7, 2011- Check out my updated version here.*****