This guy wanted a “cool guy” bag so I decided to modify my Messenger Bag pattern to fit him…voila! The Messenger Bag for kids!
The changes I wanted to make were to basically shrink it–a little less tall and less wide. The quick and dirty version of how I accomplished this: I modified the Bag Body by 1. folding the pattern piece up 1/2″ at the fold line. This decreases the whole width of the bag by 1″ because it decreases both sides by 1/2″, the folded area is the new fold line. 2. I then cut the pattern in half vertically and 3. Overlapped the two cut pattern pieces by 1/2″. Again, this decreases the overall height of the bag by 1″ total. 4. The bag sides and base pattern piece is modified by folding up 1″ at the fold line. The pattern includes “scaled-down” pattern pieces whose sole purpose is for cutting interfacing to give the bag structure. All of the previous steps were repeated on the associated ‘scaled-down’ pattern pieces. Now my new pattern pieces were all ready (remember, the folded-over fold lines work the same way…line them up on the fold of the fabric when you cut!)
I also wanted to have the strap attach on the outside of the bag, just because it’s a cute look. I measured the length according to the size of sweet J here and added an extra 4″ so I could attach the straps to the outside.
So cute…right? Right.
It turned out pretty rad and this guy feels like a rocker with it. What he doesn’t know is that I kept it just a little sweet and innocent with the hearts on these VW vans.
This, for the record, is his rock and roll face. 🙂 It looks identical to his wild child face. Imagine that.
Are you sewing for Kid’s Clothes Week in February? Did you know the theme is up-cycling? This bag would be perfect to make with some old jeans or cords! Just saying. You could have a rocker, too!
melintheattic says
This is brilliant! A bonus pattern modification. I just might need to show my boys.
Melissa Q. says
Yay! It would make me so happy if our boys had matching cool dude bags!
Anna @authenticparenting says
Wow, Melissa, this is so cool! My daughter wants one too.:) I wonder if I pull this one off for her…Great inspiration!
Melissa Q. says
You could totally do it Anna!!
Kelsey says
He looks so rockin in this bag 🙂
Melissa Q. says
Ha! Doesn’t he, though.
Pat says
Amazing!! What a cute idea and so well done. Of course that wild child has my heart. And man does he look cool!!!
Melissa Q. says
You know he was in motion the whole time…wild, completely wild
kristin says
Oh man he’s so adorable. Love the bag!! 😀
Melissa Q. says
Aw, thanks! he’s pretty cute, it’s true.