Mini Messenger Bag Pattern

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My daughter may be obsessed with unicorns, but her other favorite animal is DOGS! She loves playing with our Chipin, Lulu, and taking her for walks. In honor of National Dog Day (on August 26th), I used a selection of Woof Woof Meow fabrics from Moda Fabrics to make her a Mini Messenger Bag for her to hold both dog and human essentials while on their walks to the park!

As you can see, I finally received a Cricut Maker machine! What better way to break it in than to cut out the pattern for a Mini Messenger Bag?

To make your own Mini Messenger Bag, here's what you'll need:

PDF Mini Messenger Bag Pattern

2+ cotton fabric choices (for main bag, straps, liner and flap)

HeatnBond Craft Extra Firm Non-Woven Interfacing

Rotary blade, scissors, and cutting mat

Sewing machine, thread, etc

For Cricut users:

SVG Mini Messenger Bag Pattern

Cricut Maker machine with Rotary Blade 

FabricGrip Mat

After all of the excitement about the new Cricut machine, it was finally time for me to try cutting fabric with it! For me, cutting fabric is the part I hate most. Throughout the process I make so many mistakes, and each piece comes out a little differently. Sometimes I put off starting a sewing project because I get anxiety just thinking about the cutting process. Anyone else??

After uploading the pattern pieces into Design Space (don't adjust the size!), all I had to do was load my fabrics onto the mat and each pattern piece was cut in at least half the time it would have taken me to cut them by hand! Now that I have personal experience, all I can say is: If you are someone who sews a lot, I highly recommend getting a Cricut Maker ASAP!

Now that I shared a few tips, let's get to the Mini Messenger Bag tutorial! To create the flap portion of the bag, you need:

2 pieces of fabric - I used two different patterns for the outside and the inside

1 piece of HeatnBond Craft Extra Firm Non-Woven Interfacing

For the bag, you'll need:

2 pieces of outer bag fabric

2 pieces of lining fabric

2 pieces of HeatnBond Craft Extra Firm Non-Woven Interfacing

Last, but not least is to cut out the strap pieces. You can adjust the length of the straps to fit however you want. My daughter wanted shorter straps so that the bag hit around her waist. I cut these by hand using a rotary cutter, but only because I didn't have a larger FabricGrip mat.

To make the strap, you'll need:

2 pieces of fabric (I chose two patterns), 4" x 22" (adjust length as necessary)

HeatnBond Craft Extra Firm Non-Woven Interfacing is essential to this Mini Messenger Bag. It helps give the cotton fabric more stability and will help the bag keep its shape. It's also easy to use! Place the shiny/rough side of the interfacing on the back side of the front flap piece, and both sides of the outer bag pieces. Place a cloth over top, and iron the interfacing onto the fabrics for 10-15 seconds. Let cool completely, and re-iron any parts that didn't stick for 5 more seconds.

Start by making the bag flap. Line the two flap pieces up, right sides together. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew along the sides and bottom of the flap and leave the top open. Clip around the curves, being careful not to cut through the seams. Flip it right-side out and iron, then topstitch around the sides and bottom. Set aside.

Next, put the strap together. Place the fabrics right sides together, and sew around both sides and one end using a 1/4" seam allowance. Flip the strap right-side out and iron. Topstitch around the edges of the strap. Just for fun, I also added another line of stitching down the center.

Making the bag can seem intimidating, but I promise it's SO simple! Place the outer bag pieces right sides together. Sew both sides and the bottom edges together with a 1/4" seam allowance. Do not sew the corners or the top! Do the same thing with the bag lining.

Press the seams open, then line up the side seam with the bottom seam at the corner on each side and sew them together. Sew the bag lining the same way.

Flip the outer bag right side out and pop out the corners. Now it can stand all on its own!

Line up the ends of the strap on each side of the bag and tack in place. Make sure it isn't twisted before sewing on the other end of the strap! Next, line up the open end of the flap with the top of the back of the bag. Carefully fold the flap over to make sure that the side of the flap you want showing is on the right side before you tack it in place. 

While the lining is still inside-out, place the bag inside of it and line up the top edges of the bag, straps and flap with the lining. Pin in place and sew all the way around with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 4" gap open.

Bring the bag through the opening of the seam and flip it right-side out. Press the lining down into the bag and press the top edges if needed. Topstitch around the entire top of the bag, making sure to sew the gap that you left open for turning gets closed up.

This Mini Messenger Bag is the perfect size for kids to use to hold their favorite items, or fill it with your dog walking essentials! You can fit dog treats, toys, waste bags, and a whole lot more. I love how this bag turned out, and think this pattern will be a great (and simple) gift idea!!

I think Lulu totally approves of this Mini Messenger Bag for my daughter to use when she takes her on walks! What do you think?

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