After going back and forth with what to review or share today, I came up with a new messenger bag. Mine has been used for way to long and it was time for a new one that’s for sure. There were a few requirements and I am really digging the foldover look. So, the foldover messenger bag came about.

I have a couple of busy kids {4 to be exact}. They are into sports– and between shuttling them back and forth from practice to games, I spend a lot of time hanging out supporting them. While I really do love watching, there are times when I just need something else to do! We have to be there early for warm-ups…etc. So, what is a mom to do?
She puts together a little sewing kit or hauls around her kindle. After gathering a pile of goods together I found that my bag just wasn’t cutting it anymore. The kindle got lost in the shuffle, I was stabbing myself with the scissors….so here is my solution.
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Busy Moms Foldover Messenger Bag–
featuring 1 large media pocket {fits kindle, ipad, nook}, a pocket on the front for keys or notes, a few pockets on the inside so the depths don’t engulf the wallet, change or chapstick. A large area {and it’s tall too!} to carry whatever else you may be needing for the moment.
* I did use fusible fleece, but after using for a week or so, it’s a bit on the bulky side. I am thinking that only having it on the side that you have the kindle or ipad would be enough. The thickness of the layers also make it tricky when looking inside the bag.
You might want to play around with a few layers and such before cutting and sewing.
Could you use one of these? Let’s get started!
Materials list:
designer weight fabric- outside of bag/pockets
cotton weight fabric– lining/pockets
accent fabric for top edge of bag and pockets and strap
sew in fleece –find it here by Thermoweb (optional)
Messenger Bag Tutorial–
Outside Instructions:

Outside with hidden pocket:
1) Cut pieces> 2) 12″ X 9″ (cotton) & 8 1/2″ X 13″ (1 designer weight and 1 fleece-optional) & 12″ X 13″ (1 designer weight and 1 fleece-optional)
* Layer the fleece on wrong side of matching designer weight fabric before continueing. When pinning to the designer weight fabric, the fleece will be there also.
2) Pin the pocket to the 12″ X 13″ centered, right sides together. Sew. Repeat with other 8 1/2″ X 13″ and pocket

3) Pin right sides together the top and bottom designer weight fabrics. Pull the pockets out and pin them together- right sides facing.
4) Sew along designer weight, turn and sew pocket-3 sides, turn and sew along designer weight again– upper and bottom of bag is on the left, the pocket is on the right in the diagram below-

5) Situate the pocket correctly down, and iron the opening
6) Top stitch the sides for a finished look if desired

Outside with small pocket:
1) Cut pieces> 2) 3 1/4″ X 20″ (2 designer weight and 2 fleece-optional), 7″ X 20″ (1 designer weight and 1 fleece-optional), 9″ X 7″ (designer weight) & 9″ X 7″ (cotton) & 2″ X 7″ accent hem top
2) Fold the hem accent piece in half and iron {measures 1″ X 7″}
3) Slip the designer weight and cotton pieces -wrong sides together- in between the folded accent hem. Pin in place

4) Sew along the bottom 1/4-1/8″ from the edge. The edges will be raw and ravel with wear. If you want a more finished look, fold under the edges, iron and then sew in place
5) Pin the pocket on top of the 7″ X 20″ designer weight, lining up the bottom edge

6) Sew the 3 1/2″ X 20″ designer weight sides to the center pocket section
7) Sew a finished stitch along each seam on the sides of the pocket if desired

Sewing the outside together:
1) Pin- right sides together- the front and back pieces of the bag. Make sure the pockets are facing each other, or at the same end
2) Sew around the 3 sides, leaving the top open
3) Pinch the corners, measure 1″ and sew to box the corners at the bottom of the bag. Need help with boxing the corners? Here are some additional tutorials.
Strap Instructions:
1) Cut 2) 2″ X 50″ designer weight fabric {adjust this length if needed} & 1) 2″ X 50″ fleece & 1) 1″ X 50″ accent fabric
2) Lay right sides together the straps and place on top of fleece. Pin all 3 layers
3) Sew around the whole strap, leaving a 3″ opening in the CENTER of the strap for turning

4) Snip corners and turn right sides out. Iron *make sure you push out those corners
5) Sew down the sides of the strap, making sure you are closing the turning hole
6) Pin the accent fabric in the center of the strap and sew down both sides 1/8″ from the sides. The edges will be raw and ravel after use
Lining Instructions:
Cut 2) 20″ X 13″ cotton
Pockets- large
1) Cut 18″ X 13″ cotton 2″ X 13″ accent hem
2) Fold in half and iron
3) Fold accent hem piece in half and iron
4) Slip pocket piece in between the folded accent hem. Pin and Sew
5) Pin large pocket on the cotton lining. Bottom edges will line up
6) Sew where desired to make pocket sections
Pockets- small
1) Cut 2) 5″ X 6″ cotton & 2″ X 6″ accent hem
2) Pin right sides together
3) Sew around 3 sides, leaving the top open
4) Snip corners, turn right sides out, iron
5) Fold accent hem piece in half and iron
6) Slip pocket piece in between the folded accent hem. Pin and sew
7) Pin in place about 8″ from the bottom in the center of the lining
8) Sew around the three sides, leaving the top edge with the accent hem open
Sewing the lining together:
1) Pin- right sides together- the front and back pieces of the bag. Make sure the pockets are facing each other, or at the same end
2) Sew around the 3 sides, leaving the top open
3) Pinch the corners, measure 1″ and sew to box the corners at the bottom of the bag
Sewing the strap to the bag:
1) Pin one end of the strap to the side of the outside bag
2) Sew to secure

3) Repeat with other side of strap- check and make sure before sewing that you have not twisted the strap

Sewing the bag together:
Cut: 2″ X 16 1/2″ accent hem fabric
1) Turn right sides out the outside bag piece
2) Stuff the lining inside the outside piece
3) Sew the ends of the accent hem together to make a tube
4) Iron the hem in half so it measures 1″
5) Slip the bag in between the folded accent hem. Pin in place
6) Sew along the bottom 1/4-1/8″ from the edge. The edges will be raw and ravel with wear. If you want a more finished look, fold under the edges, iron and then sew in place
Load it up and you are ready to go!

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Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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Love the fabric Beckie! Great job on the pattern. Will keep this one on my must make list for sure!
Love your bag especially the fabric you chose! One of my faves! Thanks for being part of the hop! xo
I absolutely LOVE this bag & fabric!!! Thanks for the tutorial!! 🙂
Love the fabric you’ve chosen! And how cool to be able to develop a pattern to exactly meet your needs!
I love the messenger bag and tutorial. Fun hop. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
Love this bag! The tablet pocket looks soo handy!! My current purse isn’t big enough to hold my tablet and I don’t like leaving it in the car where it can be seen. I’ve linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-fold-over-messenger-bag/2014/02/07/
–Anne
I am having a problem with the measurements of the fabrics for the “outside with hidden pocket” part of the bag.
Do I cut 2 pieces of cotton fabric(which would be the pocket) 12″x 9″
cut 2 – 8 1/2″ x 13″ of designer weight and fleece (optional)
cut ?? of 12″ x 13″ of designer weight and fleece (optional)
2—- Pin the pocket to the 12″ x 13. Am I right in assuming the pocket is 12″ x 9″?
Also in your number 2 instructions, you say, Repeat with other 8 1/2 x 13″
and pocket. I am not understanding these instructions.
What is the finished size?
I really do want to make this!!!!!!!
Has anyone else tried to follow this? Not only is it confusing in how many pieces of what fabric you’re supposed to cut – the directions for the large hidden pocket have to be wrong. I can’t figure out a way that you don’t sew both ends of the pocket shut based on what the directions are saying. I’m a relative newbie to sewing, but I have followed patterns before.