Go-Everywhere Mini Messenger Bag

My kiddos and I have really enjoyed biking on the trails here in our neighborhood.  Sometimes we are biking for nearly an hour.  During those longer rides I like to make sure I take my keys, phone, and some change with us.  Not every pair of shorts or pants can accommodate all those items, so I decided I needed to make a solution.  It needed to be a little bag that wouldn't get in the way and wasn't too heavy, but could still hold more than a pocket could.   I came up with the idea of a mini messenger bag. 

Need something like this too?  Here is the pattern:

1.  Cut two pieces 7" x 5" of the flower fabric.   Cut two pieces 7"x 5" of the liner fabric.  Cut one piece  3 1/2" x 5" of the liner fabric     for the i-phone pocket.  Cut one piece 5" x 3 1/2" of the flower fabric for the flap.  Use a ruler to cut an angle on both corners. Cut one piece 5" x 3 1/2" of the liner fabric for the flap.  Use a ruler to cut an angle on both corners.

2.  Sew the two flower 7"x 5" rectangles together on three sides.  Right sides together.  Leave the top open.  

3.  Hem all four sides of the pocket.  Use a 1/4" seam.  Sew the pocket to one of the liner pieces, centering it.  Both right sides up.

4.  Sew the two flaps pieces together (one flower and one liner).  Right sides together.  Turn inside out and press the seams flat.

5.  Now, sew the two liner pieces together.  Make sure the right sides are together.  The pocket should be sandwiched in between.  Leave an opening at the bottom about 2"wide so you can turn the entire purse inside out from here.

This is what your pieces should look like at this point in the process.

6.  Cut a 2 1/2" x 45" piece of the main fabric.  This will be used for the strap.  Measure to see if 45" is the right length for you.  You may want it longer or shorter, depending on your height, etc...  Fold the strap, right sides together, and sew down the long end.  Turn inside out and press the seam.

7.  Now you are going to put it all together.   Here is how we are going to make the sandwich.  First your main fabric should be right sides out.  Then you are going to put that inside the liner fabric (which should be WRONG sides out).  You should see the seam of where you sewed on the i-phone pocket on the top.

8.  Now you are going to stick your strap in between those two layers.  The strap should be stuffed down inside the liner, but outside of the main fabric.  The top ends of the straps should be pinned to the main fabric.  You are also going to stuff the flap between the two layers.  It will be stuffed between the liner layer with the pocket and the outer layer.  The two outer layers should be facing each other and the two liner layers facing each other.  Make sure you have all those layers lined up and sew around the purse securing them all.

9.  Ok, now turn the purse inside out through the hole in the lining (which should be on the top of the sandwich).  Stuff the lining down inside the purse.  If everything looks right, pull the lining back up and  sew the hole closed.

10.  Finally attach the snap using the instructions on the back of the package.

Not too hard, huh?  Have fun!!

Linked up here:

Sew Can Do, Skip To My Lou, Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just a Housewife