Tutorial: from coat to messanger bag

[chainreaction]

alright. so i have been wanting to make a messanger bag for awhile. and i've been wanting to make it out of cord, or something else as thick. yet everytime i went to the store to look at fabric, i would look at it longingly knowing i could never bring myself to spend that much.

and then i had a great idea! what if i bought something at frenchys [used clothes] and used that material? so that's exactly what i did.

from:


to:


inside:




it holds two binders... so hopefully i'll be able to use it as a bookbag seeing as the one i have now is falling apart.

it was the first time using interfacing, and i really liked it. i'm definitely going to have to use it for future projects. andd i'm very proud of this bag

edit::



i have 3 rectangles of outer (10" by 14"), 3 rectangles of lining (10" by 14"), 2 strips of outer (10" by 4"), 2 strips of inner (10" by 4"), 2 strips of outer (14" by 4") and 2 strips of inner (14" by 4"). phew that was confusing. PLUS fabric for the strap which isn't here... and i didn't measure it. :/

then i made two uhh things out of the inner and outer fabric.





and the outer, and lining for flaps.


i hope this gives you more of an idea, if you have anymore questions please ask !

[comfits]

you really did a great job!  what an great idea, too.  i've been wanting to make a bag outta cord, too.  or something just as thick.  it's amazing how high some fabric can get!  thank you for sharing your bag & for showing us how wonderful a piec of used clothing can look!

[Amalia]

I love that! Now i have a reason to go to Saver's and look at old man coats.

[firehead4]

Beautifully done!
What a great way to re-purpose a coat!

[chainreaction]

i meant to put this in at the top, but i forgot and i don't know how to edit my entry.

anyway you have to be kind of patient to use a coat. it took A LOT of seam ripping to finally get it all apart and get the lining out, and i basically used the whole coat.. i only have a bit of scraps left over. i even used the sleeves as the strap.

and thanks for the kind words!

[beebidollz]

i LOVE THIS BAG! i keep looking back at the bag while im writing my reply lol i love this bag!!!!!! i want one!
is the flap part of the original piece? of is it seperate? like did u make a seperate piece for the flap!?!? i wanna do a bag with a flap soon.. so i needddd to know.
u didnt use interfacing did u?

omg i just looked at the bag again!! i wanna make one just like it@!
was it hard to sew onit? tell us allllll about it!!!!!!

[mari_meow_meow]

love it!!!
what a great idea!!!
 

[kmj44]

alright. so i have been wanting to make a messanger bag for awhile. and i've been wanting to make it out of cord, or something else as thick. yet everytime i went to the store to look at fabric, i would look at it longingly knowing i could never bring myself to spend that much.

I always thought that about cords too, but the beautiful thing about bags is that you don't need a large continuous piece at one time, so that means - remenants!  JoAnn's is have a clearance sale on them right now too!  I bought about 3 yards of different types all for under $1.00 total!  Also, the idea about recycling old coats is great too.  The thrift shops should be getting rid of their winter coats about this time, so start lookin g out for 50% off sales.

[mari_meow_meow]

remenants!Ý JoAnn's is have a clearance sale on them right now too!Ý I bought about 3 yards of different types all for under $1.00 total!Ý Also, the idea about recycling old coats is great too.Ý The thrift shops should be getting rid of their winter coats about this time, so start lookin g out for 50% off sales.                                                                

thanks for the tip!! i get paid this friday and i know where i'm going shopping this weekend!!!

[Toast.]

my boyfriend makes music and has been bugging me for months to make him a messenger bag to take record shopping... looks like i might finally make him one.. out of one of his jackets!
well.. one of his jackets and some lining. he has a really cool blue quilted jacket that would make such a good messenger bag.
now.. i wish i had a digital camera..