I've been planning on making a deluxe messenger bag for myself for at least two years. I'm going to try and make the real thing this year, but it's best to start with a plan. Over the years, I've made a few dozen messenger bags, but never anything this elaborate.



I'm going to do the straps a lot differently than with my usual messenger bag pattern. Usually, I just have one shoulder strap and its on the side like this:



But this time I want to do straps that can be used as backpack straps, or they can be combined into a shoulder strap. I'm going to add a sturdy flap to connect the straps over the shoulder like this:



This is what the straps will look like when buckled backpack style. The one in the right will have the female part of the connector, and the one on the left will have the male part. When disconnected from the strap holders at the bottom they'll be able to connect together to form the shoulder strap. I'm not quite sure that it will be comfy with the handle in that position, so I'll have to experiment to find the right placement.



Once the flap is lifted, the folder pockets will be revealed. I'll use those to sort papers. There is also a pillow pocket on the top flap so I can use the bag as a pillow during long trips.



The back wall of the inside will be reinforced with a really thin sheet of particle board, probably one from a clip board, so that I'll be able to turn the backpack over and use it like a desk. There will also be a zipper pocket, a cell phone pocket and a wallet pocket stitched into the lining. I'll also have a strip of velcro so that I can keep important things close at hand and not drifting around my bag.

Next, I'm going to make a pattern and then a working prototype.

Labels: projects, sewing

posted by Alison 1/23/2009 10:29:00 PM : (0) comments : splink