Boys' Nature Study Bag Tutorial

For Christmas this year I decided it was time to make the kids larger nature study messenger bags.  They were still using their teeny tiny train totes that I made for them 4 years ago.  I can't believe it has been that long and I can't believe my little boys are now big kids!  For so many years I felt like I had a brood of babies and a blink later I had 3 big kids.  As much as I would love to have them stay little and use their first scavenger/messenger bags forever, it was beginning to look a little silly when they would grab their tiny little bags to head out on an adventure.

The new bag is made exactly the way the tutorial describes except I eliminated the piping around the top flap and just did a top stitch.  I also didn't add all the pockets.  I made these on December 23rd so I went for quick and simple and I think now that the boys are getting older they appreciate this simple style more.  I did add a padded pocket to the inside for their cameras.  The Embroidery designs were a purchased file from this Etsy site. The fabric is a green tinted burlap.  I love this no fuss simple design for boys!

This was one of their main gifts this year.  Inside the bag they found new cameras, a monocular, nature journals, colored pencils, clear top containers for collecting items, and some extra treasures like a stamp collecting book and coin collecting book. 

Baby girl also received a small bag using the original sized pattern.  It was fun to follow my own pattern. 

To make a larger Messenger bag you will take a piece of construction paper and lay it horizontal.  This piece of paper will be the body of you bag.  Next you will take two sheets of construction paper and lay them over lapping each other vertically on top of the horizontal sheet making the width of the 2 sheets together the width of the horizontal sheet.  Tape them together after you get the width correct.  Once your vertical pieces are securely taped and match the width of the horizontal sheet you are going to cut off 1" from the bottom.  Next fold the taped sheets in half length wise and make a rounded edge along the bottom right corner.  I free hand this part but you can use a bowl to get a nice curve if needed. This piece will be you top flap.   Next you will cut a strip of paper 2 3/4" wide by  the width of the horizontal paper.  This piece will be the bottom of the bag.  And for your last piece  you will cut a 2 3/4" strip of paper that will match the height of the horizontal sheet.  This will be the pattern for the sides of your bag.  Once all these pieces are cut you can follow the original tutorial here.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial!  I know your kiddos will enjoy the final product! 

Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

Happy Sewing!