Skylark53

I'm looking to make a messenger bag/purse for an upcoming trip. My requirements are that it's approx. 14" wide give or take, that it has a longer strap so it can be a cross-body bag, and I would like an interior pocket and a top that zips, but I can work around that (or maybe add one in). I should note that I have seen and like the Professional Tote but that's not quite what I'm looking for at the moment.

I like this one from JoAnn's: http://www.joann.com/patch-flap-mess...1=true&start=8 and I will probably be using Tim Holtz fabric as well. Though it doesn't seem to have any zippered pockets and I think the outside flap closes by weight of the flap only rather than a snap or something. Has anyone made this one? I have made a small messenger bag and small zippered bag before but without more pictures I don't see this one working for me. I was hoping someone out there did a sew-along, but I haven't found anything.

I did also grab this one off of Craftsy, just wish the front flap was a bit longer: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewin...nedy-bag/98622

I'm still so new to this I'm lucky I can follow the pattern, much less alter it!

I guess I'm asking if anyone has made that JoAnn's pattern or if you know of a similar tutorial that has more pictures and/or video. I really like the vintage industrial look it has because it goes with the Tim Holtz fabric. I've looked at a lot of sites including Google and haven't quite found what I'm looking for yet.

notmorecraft

Why not attach some velcro inside the flap to secure it, if you are not sure about adding a zipped pocket again why not use velcro either at the top of your pocket or add a flap to cover the pocket inside. Allfreesewing have some great bag patterns you can download and also easy to follow tutes on adding zippered inside pickets, post a pic of you bag when you finish, I'm sure it will be beautiful and unique x.

GEMRM

Reading the review of the JAF bag, someone made it and used those magnetic snaps to make it a close-able bag.
But I really like the Craftsy one, I added it to my shopping cart.
Good luck whatever you decide to do

pattypurple

This is a great bag with good instructions. I've made several and was able to teach it to my quilt group.http://pinoyinoz.blogspot.com/2008/0...p-top.html?m=1

Skylark53

Thanks everyone, I will look into adding velcro and/or a snap or magnetic closure. Pat, that's a nice pattern - might end up doing that one!