This one is for keeps.

The first two messenger bags I made using the pattern from Oliver + S book, were gifts for my nieces, but I loved the design so much,  I wanted one to keep.  Liesl has given the messenger bag in two sizes, so this time around, I made the bag in the largest given size.  No matter which size you make, this design is a fantastic canvas for combining favourite fabrics and/or embellishments.

Thinking that  Autumn is just around the corner, I  chose colours more in sync with the upcoming season.   Two of my hoarded Amy Butler fabrics are paired with a medium weight denim and then the self-made bias binding is Henna Garden from Sandi Henderson. 

 I love how the green binding "pops" next to the navy blue of the denim.  Good thing I made a lot of this binding... I want to use it on everything!  It's my new favourite.  Honestly, choosing the fabrics is always one of my favourite parts of any project.  I am very tempted to make more of these bags just to try out some other fabric combinations. ;o)

The details on this bag make it so fun!  Although,  I'm still debating over adding snaps to the striped pocket flaps.  I didn't put snaps on the versions I made for my nieces.  I figured that snaps might frustrate their little fingers.  I'm half inclined to think I might be annoyed by having them on my bag (not that my fingers are little, but I hate closures that may impede quick access to pockets).  Hmmmm.  Perhaps once I use the bag, I'll have a better idea whether the snaps would be a good idea or not.

 For the main slider on the strap, I found a vintage belt buckle (another from my bountiful thrift  stash) and just removed the prong that would secure the buckle to the holes in a belt.  This way the strap will slide smoothly through the buckle, just like a slider is meant to.  I also included the inset zippered pocket on the back of my bag, bringing the total number of pockets on my bag up to six.  I like to keep the contents of my bags organized so I can't have too many pockets!

 I'm all set to switch my wallet and other purse paraphernalia (such as this matching wristlet), from the one I made last year, into my new bag. 

A new bag for a new season.  Do you have bags for each season?