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How to Make a Briefcase Out of Fabric

A messenger bag, or cloth briefcase, is a lightweight briefcase alternative that can be made to match your personal style. Ideal fabrics for messenger bags include cotton, hemp or bamboo heavy weaves. For added reinforcement, or if you are using the briefcase to carry a laptop, consider sewing a 1/8 inch piece of polycarbonate sheet into the bottom of the messenger bag. This simplified version does not contain any zippered pouches and should be doable for a begging seamstress.

Things You'll Need

Large grid paper
Pencil
Pins
Disappearing ink pen
Scissors
1 yard outside fabric
1/2 yard lining fabric
1 yard medium fusible interfacing
1 buckle slider, 2 inches inner diameter
1 belt tip hardware, 2 inches wide
Upholstery thread, matching outside fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Sketch the body, lining and straps from the resource pattern onto graph paper. Cut out the pattern pieces, making sure to note how many of each you'll need.
- 2
  Pin and trace the pattern pieces onto your fabric and cut out the necessary fabric pieces onto the lining fabric as well as the interfacing.
- 3
  Iron the interfacing to the backside of the main fabric pieces.
- 4
  Place the strap pieces onto the ironing board with the right side of the fabric facing down. Fold the edges of the strap pieces in by 1/4 inch and press down. Fold the straps in half lengthwise and press again. Place a few pins along the strap to help hold the fabric still for sewing.
- 5
  Sew along the outside edges of the straps, staying as close to the edge as possible.
- 6
  Match and sew the lining pieces together. You'll be placing the lining into the briefcase at the end.
- 7
  Construct the body of the bag and sew it together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Pinning the assembled bag together will make sewing much easier.
- 8
  Turn the bag right-side-out and sew the straps onto the sides. Run the strap hardware through the straps.
- 9
  Turn the bag wrong-side-out and pin the lining into the bag. Sew the lining along the raw edge, leaving a small opening to pull the bag through.
- 10
  Pull the bag through the lining and fold and sew the lining closed.

Sewing