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Sew your own vintage inspired Cley Messenger Bag with this pdf sewing pattern, and sewing tutorial.

The bag is influenced by a hybrid of vintage fishermen’s bags and wartime satchels. Cley is stylish and practical. It can be made in a variety of fabrics, and with a contrasting strap/pocket.

It features the Charlie’s Aunt signature asymmetrical styling on the flap and front pocket. Inside there is a zippered pocket and a patch pocket.

This style is named after Cley next the Sea, a village on the north Norfolk coast in an area of outstanding natural beauty which was once an important trading port.

Sizing info:
The finished measurements of the Cley Messenger Bag are 9.5" (24 cm) high by 13" (33 cm) wide by 2" (5 cm) base width.

Materials needed:

  • To make whole bag in one fabric, you will need: 2/3 yard (60 cm) of 60" (154 cm) width or ¾ yard (65 cm) of 44" (112 cm) width exterior fabric,
  • To make with a contrast pocket and strap, you will need: 2/3 yard (60 cm) of 60" (154 cm) width or 44" (112 cm) width main exterior fabric,
  • 1/3 yard (30 cm) of 60" (154 cm) width or 44" (112 cm) width contrast fabric,
  • To make with a purchased strap, you will need: 2/3 yard (65 cm) of 60" (154 cm) width or 44" (112 cm) width exterior fabric for bag,
  • For all combinations, you will need:
  • 1 yard (96 cm) of 44" (112 cm) width lining fabric,
  • 1 yard (96 cm) of 36" (92 cm) width fusible interfacing,
  • ½ yard (50 cm) of 28" (72 cm) width foam stabiliser,
  • 40" by 5" (105 cm by 14 cm) of fusible web for strap,
  • Piece of plastic canvas 2" by 12" (5 cm by 30 cm),
  • One magnetic snap,
  • Four (23 mm diameter) or six buttons (15 mm diameter) to trim flap and pocket,
  • 7" (18 cm) zipper for interior pocket,
  • For purchased handle: Long leather or vinyl strap ¾" (2 cm) wide and approx. 38" (92 cm) long,
  • Piece of fusible web approx. 4" by 4" (10cm by 10 cm) for tabs,
  • Basic sewing supplies,
  • A sewing machine.

The pattern:
For the “Cley Messenger Bag” there are eighteen pages—eleven pages including the cover, general, cutting out and step-by-step instructions, and seven pattern sheets with the templates, which you must print and cut out. All templates are actual size and all seam allowances are included. Three of the templates are too big to fit on one page and therefore must be cut out and joined together with tape at the dashed lines, matching symbols where indicated. Instructions for this are clear.

Download:
Please note this is a digital download PDF file, not a paper sewing pattern. Please download immediately after check out.