Sew Sturdy: The Multitasking Messenger Bag

Class Preview

Sew a stylish and functional bag that’s perfect for work, school, traveling and more – no quilting required! Follow along with expert designer Annie Unrein as she guides you to sew a comfortable messenger bag complete with pockets — including a mesh one for your laptop — an adjustable carrying strap, zippers and dividers to keep your things neat and organized. Plus you can customize it for both men and women. Along the way, learn Annie’s trademark techniques for bias binding, handbag zippers, detailing and more.

Cutting Fabric, Sealing Edges & Bias Binding

Meet designer Annie Unrein and start with a tour of your project: a stylish and functional messenger bag. Annie discusses the best fabrics and stabilizer to use, how to layer them and “seal” the edges with stitching, before making custom bias binding.

Handles, Straps & Tabs

Annie guides you to prepare a slew of bag parts that require similar construction techniques, including the Carrying Strap, Strap Tabs, Handle, Back Strap, Swivel Hook Tabs, Inner Divider Strap, and the Padded Handle.

Pockets & Inner Divider

Next, assemble the Front Pocket and Back Pocket of your bag, as well as the mesh Side Pockets and Inner Pocket. After that, make the Inner Divider, which is designed to protect and hold a laptop or notebook.

Bag Flap

Now, it’s time to start putting your bag together! First attach the Swivel Hook Tabs to the bag flap, then the Handle Strap, Padded Handle and pocket, before shaping and binding the flap.

Side Strip, Stabilizer Sleeve & Zipper Assembly

Continue putting your bag together by preparing the Side Strip. Annie shows you how to mark, bind and attach the Carrying Strap Tabs and mesh Side Pockets. Afterwards, move on to the Stabilizer Sleeve, the Zipper and Zipper Strips.

Assembling the Front & Back

You’re almost done! Here, Annie shows you how to assemble the front and back of your bag. Learn how to attach tabs and pockets, shape the corners, and attach the assembled flap.

Attaching Side Strip, Binding & Finishing

Wrap things up by attaching and binding the Side Strip, and inserting the stabilizer into its sleeve. Turn the bag right-side-out. Then make and attach the zipper pulls, the Carrying Strap and the Carrying Strap Pad to finish up your bag.