return on creativity: feed sack messenger bag

Several months ago I bought some vintage feed sacks at an antique mall.  I had no idea what I would do with them at the time.  However, I always have faith that if I buy things I love, the inspiration will come.  

Here's how I made this feed sack messenger bag out of a feed sack, a leather belt, and some denim lining.

First I cut the top off the feed sack to shorten the bag into the size I wanted for my messenger bag.  

Then I squared off the bottom corners by turning the sack inside out and folding into a point and measuring from the point.

I drew a line across and sewed along the line.

Then I cut off the excess fabric.

I sewed a lining by cutting two rectangles of light denim to match the size of my bag (taking into account the needed seam allowances.  I sewed three sides of the lining together with right sides facing and squared the corners of the lining using the same process of above.

To create the flap I cut a rectangle from the remaining feed sack material and a matching rectangle from the lining material.  Sew three sides together with right sides facing and turn right side out.  

Sew the open edge of the flap to the back of the feed sack bag with right sides facing and a quarter inch seam allowance.

Place the feed sack inside the lining with right sides facing and sew along the top.  Leave a three inch opening on each side to sew in the leather belt strap.

Pull the lining through one of the openings and turn the lining into the bag.

Cut the belt in two making sure to consider where you want the belt buckle to fall in the strap.  I wanted my belt buckle on the side.

Tuck in the seams of the opening and place the end of the leather belt into the opening and sew into place.  Make sure you use a leather needle.  My belt was pretty thick and I had to hand sew the leather in with my sewing machine by turning the wheel by hand.  Sew the opening closed as you sew in the straps.

Finally I topstitched two rows of stitching around the bag opening getting as close as possible to the leather straps as I stitched.

That's it.  I love this bag and I have been carrying it everywhere.  I wish I would have put some smaller pockets inside for keys and a phone because I have been carrying it in place of my purse from time to time.  

Go out searching for your own feed sack and leather belt to make into a bag.  You won't be sorry.  I have gotten many many compliments on mine already!