Date: 11/23/09 10:37 AM

My DD lives a very urban life without a car and does a lot of commuting by bike or bus. She has her mind set on a messenger bag that goes across the body and is long and narrow "like a banana" so the load is spread out more. I know they style she is talking about but can't find one online. I have also looked at rei and mec, because it is probably a big task to sew one and easier to buy, so any links to places we could buy one would also be appreciated.

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Date: 11/23/09 11:15 AM

Is this the kind of bag you're talking about?

Travel Bag


-- Edited on 11/23/09 11:16 AM --

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Visit my blog at http://sewingsaga.blogspot.com

If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL

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Date: 11/23/09 4:38 PM

Crumpler Canada

I love Crumpler bags - they have lots of messenger style ones as they started out as bags for bike couriers. They are really tough and well made and last forever. Me, my Dad and my two sisters all have one. They are quite expensive here though. You could go snoop shopping and check them out and see if you could draft something.

Nicole Mallalieu Wrap bag pattern
Might take a while to mail to you from Australia though.

Nancy Bird Stitch Bag
My sister had one of these bags that is quite banana shaped. She walked to work everyday with it and took it everywhere for about 3 years until it fell apart -she also had a very urban lifestyle and this was the best bag shape for her. Not sure how you would draft a pattern like that though.

Good luck
=)
Claire


-- Edited on 11/23/09 4:40 PM --

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Claire - Melbourne, Australia

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Date: 11/23/09 6:11 PM

Try the site below: Look under School heading and this gives you a starting point or maybe it's just what you are looking for.

http://www.cranstonvillage.com/uploadedFiles/Back-to-School-Robot-Messenger-Bag(1).pdf

Good luck,

Carol J.

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Reply to ClaireEmily
Date: 11/23/09 6:36 PM

That Nicole Mallalieu bag is exactly the pattern I've been looking for for MY urban/carless lifestyle.

I wish I could find a similar pattern in the US.

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I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work.

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Hope has two lovely daughters: Anger and Courage

St. Augustine

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Date: 11/23/09 6:54 PM

Nicole is really quick about mailing things. Just drop her an email.

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Connie Bontje

Blogsite: Couturesmith.com
Desperately trying to keep ahead of my pattern, fabric and dressform collection!

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Date: 11/23/09 7:02 PM

Some possiblities:
A couple of patterns for an Ergo-type or a banana-type bag:
Butterick 5346
Butterick 4147

Something sort of like the Nicole Mallalieu bag:
Vogue 7862

And, for what it's worth, Amy Butler's High Street Messenger Bag pattern:
Amy Butler Messenger Bag

CMC

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Date: 11/23/09 9:28 PM

Wild Ginger has Wild Things software, which is a freebie. In it, there are instructions for a very nice messenger bag, as well as for several other accessories. The bag, (known as a shoulder bag, but has a messenger bag strap), is 10 inches high by 12 inches wide. It has a button flap closure, and I'm sure you could change the dimensions on it. Here's a link: Wild things by wild ginger

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"Having to squeeze the last drop of utility out of the land has the same desperate finality as having to chop up the furniture to keep warm" -- Aldo Leopold
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Date: 11/24/09 0:57 AM

I've made the wild ginger ergo bag. It's a really nice bag. I made it bigger than the default and if I were to make another, I would make it the default size. It's like the travel bag above. They have a messenger bag too, but it's a little different.
-- Edited on 11/24/09 0:59 AM --

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Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.

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Date: 11/24/09 4:44 AM

Etsy has a lot of great patterns as well, might be worth a look.

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My blog: raggiegirls.blogspot.com

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