How to Make a Satchel Handbag

Indiana Jones and Jack Bauer from the television show "24" found them useful. Satchels are used by men and by women, and made from anything including denim, tarps and duct tape. A satchel handbag can be any bag with a strap that goes over the shoulder. Messenger bags, purses and even some laptop cases can be considered satchel handbags. This project is best done by those with a lot of sewing experience.

Things You'll Need

• Roller paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• 1 yard khaki fabric
• 1 yard cotton lining fabric
• Iron
• Safety pins
• Sewing pins
• 12-inch zipper
• Thread
• Sewing machine

Instructions

Making the Pattern

1. Use the ruler to measure out all of the pieces for the satchel. This is a simple messenger-bag-style satchel, so be sure that whatever material you use is sturdy enough, yet not too thick for your sewing machine's standard needles.

2. Measure out the body and the lining of the bag at 14 inches by 25 inches, to have a finished satchel that is 12 inches by 12 inches by 3 inches. Remember, the initial pattern and fabric will include the 1/4-inch seam allowance in the finished product. It will be a long rectangle in shape.

3. Draw the strap at 45 inches by 4 inches. This is a standard-size strap. If you want a slightly longer or shorter strap length, measure from the top of your shoulder to your hip and adjust the measurements accordingly.

4. Measure the flap of the messenger bag at 12 inches by 13.5 inches. The shape of one end should be curved to form the bottom of the flap. Make sure that the length of the bottom of the curve to the other side of the flap measures 13.5 inches, with the bottom corners gently arching toward the vertical lines that make up the other two sides of the flap.

5. Cut out all of the pieces out of your roller paper and use them as patterns for cutting out the fabric pieces.

Making the Satchel Body

1. Pin the the lining and fabric together, so that you are sewing on the wrong side. You will be flipping the lining inside out to hide your seams. Be certain that you have pieced everything together properly, so that when you look at the bag you will see the sides of the khaki and the lining that are meant to be seen.

2. Sew around all of the edges to attach the lining to the khaki, leaving 1 inch unstitched. Turn the fabric inside out with the safety pin, so that all of your lining stitches are hidden. Sew the remaining 1 inch of fabric.

3. Fold and pin the lined fabric so that the lining is on the outside. Use your seam allowance on each side to sew up the sides of the bag. Iron open the seams for easier folding and stitching.

4. Fold in the bottom-left corner so that it makes a small triangle. Stitch the two folded sides. Do the same thing on the bottom-right side. This squares the bag so it is able to stand up.

Finishing the Bag

1. Line the strap like you lined the main satchel body. The strap needs to be sturdy to hold the weight of the bag. Lay the fabric so that when you turn the strap, the correct part of the khaki will be seen, with the correct part of the lining on the inside. Sew all the way around, leaving 1 inch of space to turn everything inside out, then sew the remaining 1 inch. Iron the fabric so that it is completely flat, then fold it over so that the lining is on the outside. Press the crease of the fabric and pin it closed. Sew around the perimeter of the fabric again, leaving the same 1 inch of fabric unsewn. Turn the strap one last time so that the khaki is on the outside, then sew the remaining 1 inch shut by pushing in the excess fabric. Now you have a strong, sturdy, lined strap, although the lining is invisible.

2. Line the flap as you have lined the strap and the bag itself. Baste the straight part of the flap to the inside back of the bag. Sew the ends, then reinforce with a topstitch or backstitch on the correct side of the khaki for added strength.

3. Pin the strap to the ends of the bag, leaving 1/4 inch on each side. Use a hem stitch on all four sides, then backstitch and do another hem stitch. Do this for both sides of the strap. Note that when you close your flap of the satchel, it will not interfere with the straps.

4. Pin the closed zipper to the inside top of the bag. Sew from the inside, making sure that the end zipper tape is sewn into the bag so that it doesn't stick out near the straps. Sew with a strong hem or zigzag stitch on both sides of the tape, attaching the zipper to the fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not want to line your bag, skip all of the lining steps. Use interfacing for the strap so that it is sturdy enough.

References

• mmmcrafts; The Basic Messenger Bag; June 2009
• Fishsticks Designs: Messenger Bag Tutorial