545 – Oregon Trail Messenger Bag Pattern

Sizes Small and Medium

Skill Level:  3, Medium Difficulty

With this sewing pattern you can make two fully-lined, different-sized sturdy shoulder bags with adjustable shoulder straps.  The Big bag is roomy enough to hold a laptop.  Each size bag has an inner velcro pocket, three outer easy-to-access pockets, and an outer zipper pocket.  An optional key lanyard can be added as well. 

Sizes: 
Big Bag: 9" high x 12-1/4" wide x 5" deep
Small Bag: 9" high x 8" wide x 4" deep

Fabric Suggestions:
Outer Fabric: Waterproof nylon pack cloth, cordura, denim, or any medium- to heavyweight fabric.
Lining: Hi-count nylon taffeta or any tightly woven lightweight fabric.

Fabric Requirements, 60" (150cm) wide fabric:
Outer Fabric and Lining, Big Bag: 1/2 yd (.46m) each
Outer Fabric and Lining, Small Bag: 3/8 yd (.34m) each

Notions:
All Versions:  Thread, 1/8 yd 3/4" (2cm) hook & loop.
Big Bag:  1/3 yd (.31m) #4 or #5 coil zipper, one #4 or #5 coil zipper pull, 2/3 yd (.61m) 1" (2.5cm) nylon webbing, 2-1/8 yd (2m) 1-1/2" (3.8cm) nylon webbing, two 1" (2.5cm) side release buckles, two 1-1/2" (3.8cm) loops, one 1-1/2" (3.8cm) slide.
Small Bag:  1/4 yd (.23m) #4 or #5 coil zipper, one #4 or #5 coil zipper pull, 2-1/2 yd (2.3m) 1" (2.5cm) nylon webbing, one 1" (2.5cm) side release buckles, two 1" (2.5cm) loops, one 1" (2.5cm) slide.
Optional Lanyard: one 1/2" (13mm) glove hook, 1/8 yd 3/8" (1cm) grosgrain ribbon.

Or, get everything you need with our kit!  We put all the notions you need into a kit for this pattern.

For more pattern details, go here 545 (PDF).

This pattern is available as a Paper pattern and a PDF pattern.  Choose the option you want at the top.  The paper pattern will be mailed to you.  The PDF pattern will be sent in an email to download.  The PDF pattern has files for print at home (A4 or 8.5x11"), copy shops (A0 and 36"), a projector file, and instructions.