Monday, April 8, 2013

Easy Messenger Style Book Bag Tutorial


If you read my blog at all in August, you would have seen that lots of back to school sewing was going on in my house (here and here and even here.)  For Heidi's Girl Friday Sews blog hop, I decided to make a small messenger style book bag to carry a book (as my daughters are rarely without at least one book in their hands) plus all the fabric-covered journals, pencil cases, and pouches that we made last summer.  I've included my measurements but so you can make this bag whatever size you want, I tried to include some guides on how to figure that out.

The only materials I used were quilting cotton, flannel, and batting.  I started by cutting a piece of flannel for the flap (9.5"x10.5").  And then using the quilt as you go method, I covered the entire piece of flannel with scraps and some essex yarn dyed linen.

                                                                                                           {QAYG in progress}

Next I cut a piece of fabric for the back of the flap the same size as the panel I just quilted, placed them right sides together, and stitched around the two sides and bottom (for bags I usually use a 1/2" seam - not sure why!)


Then I clipped the two bottom corners, turned it right side out, ironed, and put it aside.


Hmm, now that I am looking at the photos, I am not sure I should have chosen that big print right next to the typewriter - oh, well - too late now - moving on.

For the main body of the bag, I cut an 11" x 25"piece of the linen, the lining fabric, and some batting.  Basically you want this fabric to be about double the length of your flap plus 4" and you should add 2" to the width as well.   Note:  if/when I made this bag again, I'll use a flap piece that is about an inch longer and only have the main exterior fabric be double the length plus 2" so that not as much of the main exterior fabric shows under the flap.  Also, note that the flap and the handles are very close together - I prefer it that way but if you don't then maybe add 2.5" or 3" to the width of the main exterior fabric.

Lightly quilt the batting to the bag exterior.  You can use flannel or home decor weight/canvas in place of the batting.   Or you could use your favorite bag interfacing. Whatever you decide to use, take the lining, fold it right sides together, and stitch up the two sides.  Do the same thing with the exterior.  If you want to box your corners (I did slightly - about 1/2" on either side), I explained how to do that in this tutorial.  (*As you can see in the photo below, when I made this bag, I quilted the batting to the lining fabric instead of the exterior fabric because I didn't want the exterior to have the "quilted appearance" - I like the way it looks but I wonder if things inside the bag will get caught on the stitching - has anyone done this? any problems?)



To make a scrappy strap, cut rectangles 5" x variable sizes from a few different fabrics and stitch together until it is your preferred length and trim.  My strap measured 4.25" x 34" - I measured it on my 10 year old wearing it messenger bag style.


I like to use batting as a padding to make the strap comfortable.  First, I fold in one long side of the strap fabric about 1/2" and press.  Then, I cut a narrow piece of batting (2-3"), double it,  and place it on the wrong side of the strap fabric.  (*Important:  leave at least 4 - 5 inches on either end of the strap without batting so that the part you attach to the bag isn't crazy thick!)  Fold the side of the strap fabric with the raw edge onto the batting and then cover the raw edge with the neatly folded side and stitch several lines along the length to quilt the strap being sure that one of those lines gets close to the folded edge (hopefully, the photo below helps.)


Get all your pieces out and baste the straps and flap to the exterior fabric - right sides together.  Re-check the strap length to make sure you are happy with since it is easy to change at this point (just make sure that if you shorten it that you will still be able to have the part without batting attached to the bag.)


Place the exterior inside of the lining right sides together (the lining should still be inside out) and using a 1/2" seam, stitch around the top leaving an opening on the front of the bag for turning.  If you used batting, some of this is really thick.  Go slow and use the right needle - well, basically do whatever you usually do with your sewing machine when sewing over thick seams.  And then flip everything right side out.  Now, normally I would then top stitch around the entire top opening but since my machine doesn't have a free arm and this bag was too thick for my daughters' machine, I just top stitched the front of the bag closing the opening I left for turning.  I could have hand stitched the opening but I just used a thread that matches the exterior fabric and I think it looks fine.


Let me know if you have any questions or if you make your own.  You could easily customize the bag with different pockets and compartments or a top/recessed zipper but I chose to keep it simple since everything that this bag is going to hold is either large (journal/book) or already in a pouch of its own.  

This post was written for the Girl Friday Sews blog hop at Fabric Mutt.  It was sponsored by the wonderful fabric shop, Sew Me A Song.

205 comments:

  1. What a great giveaway! Thank you!

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  2. That is such a neat idea--I have to sew up some library book bags for my kids!

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  3. I love the Wild Carrot in blue from their shop - reminds me of riding horses out in the fields and stopping in field that was just acres and acres and acres of Quenn Anne's Lace!

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  4. favourite in that shop: Blue Marguerite Daisy by Suzuko Koseki for Yuwa of Japan so pretty!

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  5. Such a pretty bag! I love the off center look.

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  6. I am already a follower. Thank you for the tutorial.

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  7. Already a follower. Love the giveaway fabrics!

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  8. What a great project and a wonderful giveaway chance! Thanks for both :-)

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  9. I love the Low Volume bundles at Sew Me a Song.

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  10. What a great giveaway! Thanks :)

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  11. My favorite at Sew Me a Song is the Geekly Chic by Riley Blake- Fat Quarter Bundle- love to have it :) Thanks!

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  12. Great messeger bag - you make it look so simple!!

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  13. I am your follower too - an old one since 'meeting' you in your Let's Get Acquanited Blog Hop last May.

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  14. I love the Topograph in Green - I love anything green really!!! I ordered a Text bundle not long ago from Sew me a Song and it was delicious!! (I didn't eat it but I certainly drooled on it)!!!

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  15. Love it, and the fabrics are soooo cute, thanks for the chance to win!

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  16. Just went to the shop site (I want that fabric sooo much) and the "Clams and sand" fabric caught my eye! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  17. Great tutorial!:) i love messenger bags:)

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  18. Sew me a song has so many lovely fabrics! I am currently in love with architextures' foliage in green and ledgers:)

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  19. A great tutorial - thanks! Must get some of that essex linen - I love it!

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  20. So many wonderful fabrics at Sewmeasong! My favourite today is the Love me some black and white FQ bundle!

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  21. I am a follower of yours on Bloglovin - thanks!

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  22. Brilliant instructions, thank you.

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  23. I love hands on deck, the grey and hints of turquoise are beautiful!

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  24. What a cool bag! I haven't tried sewing bags or baskets yet and really do want to try. I love the typewriter fabric you used on yours.

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  25. Sew Me A Song is one of the Etsy shops that I check out a lot but haven't yet ordered from. I love their Geekly Chic collection, the low volume b&w bundle, and their text prints are always fantastic.

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  26. & I'm a plum & June follower:)

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  27. My favorite thing at sew me a song right now is their text bundle- I've been drooling over it for weeks!

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  28. Cute bag! Thanks for the tutorial and the giveaway!

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  29. I checked out Sew Me a Song and one favorite item is the Love Me Some Black and White- Fat Quarter Bundle.

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  30. You always make the cutest bags, love this one!

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  31. What a lovely bag! I might have to make one too,lol!

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  32. Thank you for a very explicit tutorial.

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  33. I haven't blogged about it yet, but your first quilted tote tutorial saved my rear last week, when a challenge project I was working on for my quilt guild fell apart in the wash. I turned it into a quilted tote! Now that I've made THREE of them, I will have to branch out and try this. It is so cute, and I love the scrappy strap.

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  34. What a great bag for little ones. Thanks for a fab tutorial :) x

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  35. And from Sew Me a Song, I would definitely order some First of Infinity. (It's actually sitting in my Etsy cart waiting for me to decide on a project to make that will justify the buying!)

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  36. Thank you for a wonderful tutorial! I love the typewriter fabric!

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  37. I love the green and yellow pear fabric! In fact I am ordering some :) thanks!
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/98325302/on-sale-yellow-and-green-pears-by-yuwa?ref=shop_home_active

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  38. What a great bag! I think I have to try it out for a few gifts. Thanks.

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  39. I am a follower and love your blog!

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  40. I love the 'ledger' print from Architextures

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  41. I love this little bag! I've been thinking of making something similar for a friend's daughter... I'll be looking closely at your pattern when I start that project. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  42. I love sew me a song. I love their lecien fabrics..

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  43. Great bag, thanks for tutorial. And thanks for the lovely giveaway.

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  44. I'm a follower of your blog, via GFC & Bloglovin.

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  45. Great bag. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  46. Cute! Love that patchwork front and the scrappy strap. Best of all is combining them with linen... so gorgeous!

    Thanks for the fun tute, Beth, and the chance to win.

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  47. I'm one of your happy followers. :o)

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  48. My fave item at Sew Me a Song is the Low Volume bundle.

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  49. I absolutely love messenger bags so I might give this a go!

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  50. I follow your blog via Bloglovin'.

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  51. My absolute favourite in the shop is Geekly Chic.

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  52. great bag Beth and thanks for including instructions on how to recreate!

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  53. Terrific bag tutorial. Thanks for posting this.

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  54. Love the bag - an d the fabric looks yummy.

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  55. Love your bag. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

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  56. Sew Me a Song has so many things to choose from. I love the low volume bundle. I've been collecting for an upcoming quilt.

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  57. Such a cute bag!! Thanks for the great give-away!

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  58. I love the Color Stack Basics II Blue- Fat Quarter Bundle! Thanks!

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  59. Beautiful tote, and thank you for the giveaway!

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  60. I love this bag!!! It's so cute and seems pretty easy to make! Thanks for sharing!
    Thanks for the chance to win this pretty fabric!

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  61. FOLLOW VIA BLOG LOVIN'!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  62. HELLO! NEAT SHOP>I'D CHOOSE "SMALL DOTS" BY RILEY BLAKE! THANKS FOR A GREAT GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  63. HI! LIKE YOUR BAG-LIKE THE BOCK!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  64. Love the messenger bag! Thanks for the chance to win the fabric bundle.

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  65. There are text prints in this bundle!!!! I love those! So I really had to join ;) And the messenger bag looks awesome!

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  66. I'm also one of your exsisting followers ;)

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  67. And my favourite article in the shop would be the 'Love Me Some Black And White' Bundle or 'Texting For Sewists' :)

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  68. i liked her greekly chic by riley blake

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  69. Love the cute bag, thanks for the tutorial. Fabulous gift giveaway. I love reds and whites.

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  70. I follow you by email, as a matter of fact I get 2 at a time. LOL not sure how that happened.

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  71. I like the Pearl fat quarter bundle. I've seen several projects made with this fabric.

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  72. Wow! Great bundle. You did an awesome job on the tutorial.

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  73. I like the Fashion Sewing fabrics. She has such a great assortment.

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  74. Great bag! Thanks for the tutorial.

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  75. Oh my gosh! There are some lovely fabrics @ Sew Me a Song, wow! My favorite is the Color Stack Basics II Blue- Fat Quarter Bundle - so pretty!!!

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  76. Love the style of your bag... I gotta make one, it would be perfect for a run around! Thanks for the great tutorial and inspiration!!

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  77. I am following you via Bloglovin'!! Thanks for the chance to win a very sweet bundle of fabric - love what you chose!!

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  78. Thanks for the tut. Very cute messenger bag and useful, too.

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  79. I am a follower with GFC and G Reader - yet.

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  80. I visited Sew Me A Song and saw lots of lovely fabrics. I immediately saw one I liked but wanted to browse a bit and saw Pearl Bracelets and Pure Elements which intrigued me along with others but...I came back to "Diamonds from Color Basics". Then I clicked on the Diamonds and discovered that it's a Lecein fabric - I want to try some Japanese fabrics so that is definitely my choice.

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  81. This tutorial totally makes sense. I've been promising a friend a bag forever and I think I can modify this to finally make her one :)

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  82. I am a follower and that giveaway bundle or fabrics is very cute. As is the Nicey Jane and linen.

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  83. What a great, useful bag - love your fabric choices! Thanks for the tutorial. These would make great gifts!
    ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

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  84. I follow you be email - thanks for all of the inspiration!
    ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

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  85. Great tutorial! Thanks! wonderlandbyalyce at gmail dot com

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  86. Sweet messenger bag Beth! Must try one for my kidlets!

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  87. I like the Melody Miller Records fabric. Great shop - I have purchased from Sew Me A Song before. Thanks for the giveaway!
    ellen(at)myerly(dot)net

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  88. Darling bag! Thanks for sharing!

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  89. I'm a blog follower (via Google Reader and BlogLovin')!

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  90. Cute bag - I don't mind the large print next to the typewriter. I think it helps to have a variety.

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  91. I love the sewing notions fabric (Yuwa).

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  92. Great bag and a wonderful tutorial. Thanks for the inspiration Beth!!

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  93. So many awesome Japanese imports at sew me a song. I like the stripes ones with the Eiffel Tower printed on in black.

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  94. I think the red looks awesome. I like how it goes with the red flecks in the pink fabric. Good choice!! Thanks for the chance to win ;) I'm going to bookmark your page and try to make one. Your tutorial is very easy to follow ;)

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  95. I LOVE sewmeasong!!!! I looked through all the pages (which took awhile!) and I think I like the Live Life collections. I also like the bundles of accounting for sewist, texting for sewist, its just a bunch of words, and all the bakery prints on page 7. She has a TON of fabric at really great prices! Thanks so much for introducing me (again, apparently because i had her bookmarked-but now I can put her in a better bookmark!!)

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  96. such a cute bag, I love using messenger bags :)

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  97. Loved looking through Sew me a song -
    I totally need a low volume gray bundle, but I also like those geekly glasses, plus I am totally loving architextures right now

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  98. The bag is cute. I like the colors you used. I love pink.

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  99. Love the fabrics. Thanks for the chance!

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  100. Cute bag and very useful! Curious what print you'd replace the text with? Thanks for the chance!

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  101. Blue Marguerite Daisy by Suzuko Koseki print would be awesome! I love Sew Me a Song!

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  102. Very pretty bag! I love the scrappy handle and how you placed the feature block off center.

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  103. Love this bag! I can imagine sewing one with my daughter, or maybe one for her and one for me:D

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  104. Beautifully scrappy! I am a(n oldie but goodie) follower!

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  105. So much to love and Sew Me a Song- Red Scissors, Geekly Chic bundle, low volume yellows bundle, flowers and fruit, and basketcase all tickle my fancy!

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  106. Love this bag! So cute and very functional :)

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  107. I visited Sew Me A Song, and I love the low volume teals and blues bundle. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  108. I follow your blog via email. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  109. I love the bag! The combination of denim and color and craft is delightful!

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  110. I really love the small gingham print bundle for Riley Blake.

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  111. Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

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  112. The tote bag is adorable - thanks for the tute!

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  113. Another fabulous bag! I love the prints you chose and that linen is awesome. Hope all is well :)

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  114. And I'm a follower of course :)

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  115. The colours are really good, the contrast is very effective. Love the fabrics your giving away! I will definitely check them up.

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  116. i love this bag... I have to make me one :) You always have the best fabrics. Great tutorial.

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  117. Thanks for the tutorial, and for the giveaway.

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  118. Sew Me A Song is one of my favorite shops. I love "Les Patisseries", among so many other beautiful choices.

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  119. As always Beth, I love the way you combine fabrics. I wish I had your eye. Gorgeous bag.

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  120. Sweet little bag. Thanks for tut and giveaway.

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  121. I love the colour combination of the bag...the grey contrasts beautifully with the pink and other colours.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    leena

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  122. I am a new followed.Love your projects.
    leena

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  123. I love the Japanese Daiwabo collection-especially the rescue vehicle series at sewmeasong shop.

    leena

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  124. I would love to win this fabric, thanks for the chance!

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  125. this messenger bag looks like a good size for the tablet computer!

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  126. I've ordered from Sew Me A Song- and love the First of Infinity collection!

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  127. HAPPY TO FOLLOW YOU >BLOG LOVIN'!

    msstitcher1948@yaho.com

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  128. VISTITED THEIR SHOP>LOVE "LES PATISSERIES COLLECTION! THANKS SO FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  129. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TUTORIAL!
    LOVE YOUR BLOG!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  130. I love those fabrics! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  131. I am still a Plum and June follower.

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  132. I love how it turned out, and thank you so much for the giveaway!

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  133. I follow the plum and june blog too, of course!

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  134. I love the Word Definitions print, I haven't ordered from her for a few months so I guess its time to browse the new stuff!

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  135. Love your bag and one would be welcome to the new season!!

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  136. I do follow.Thanks you for the tutorial!!

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  137. There are many favorites and If I have to choose one item at Sew Me a Song would be the Low Volume blue and teals bundle.Thanks for the giveaway!

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  138. Love the bag. I really liked the way you did the batting and lining to keep the outside smooth so it didn't show the quilting. I'd be interested to see how the stitching holds up on the inside like that.

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  139. I am already a follower of Plum and June via email subscription and GFC

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  140. I really love the Stripe Tease Fat Quarter Bundle.

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  141. I like easy peasym should book bags. Nice job. Thanks

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  142. Thanks so much for the chance to win!

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  143. Thanks for the chance to win! i follow you in my rss reader!

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  144. The yuwa crossword puzzle fabric is super cute. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  145. That is way cute! Thanks for the chance to win some fabric!

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  146. I love this fabric bundle in her shop
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/126336962/bonheur-from-atelier-akiko-by-lecien-fat?ref=shop_home_active

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  147. That's a sweet little messenger...my daughter totally needs one!! Guess I should get on that!

    brookeali(at)Hotmail.com

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  148. What a great bag! Thanks for the tutorial! :)
    And thanks for a chance to win this great giveaway! :)

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  149. I love the Stripe Tease - Fat Quarter Bundle! :)

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  150. Fantastic bag, i have small people who would be queuing up for one of those!

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  151. I love the tossed paper clips in orange an don't know why I don't have any !

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  152. What a great group to give away. I love them! Great messenger bag btw!

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  153. I follow your blog by email!

    Susie
    legato1958@aol.com

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