The 3-in-1 Emma Messenger Bag: Featuring kraft-tex

By JoAnn Connolly

Fun, fresh, and fabulous! Turn up the volume with this groovy messenger bag, inspired by retro leather links of the 1970s. You’ll love creating with kraft-tex, a washable paper textile that looks like leather and sews like fabric. Hand-cut the kraft-tex links, download SVG files for super-speedy results on your digital cutting machine, or embroider the links with your computerized embroidery machine (file included!). You can finish the whole project with a standard sewing machine. A coordinating chain-link wristlet and key fob complete the tempting trio.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C&T Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781617458835

JoAnn Connolly

Jo Connolly is a lifelong seamstress who loves the challenge of combining technology with traditional needle arts. She owns Garden of Daisies Embroidery, authored the book Sweet Stitches, and has published numerous articles in magazines. She lives in Reading, Massachusetts. www.gardenofdaisies.com

Book preview

The 3-in-1 Emma Messenger Bag, Wristlet, and Key Fob

Finished bag: 13˝ wide × 10˝ high × 2˝ deep

Finished wristlet: 7½˝ wide × 5˝ high

Finished key fob: 1¼˝ wide × 6½˝ long

This groovy messenger bag offers an updated nod to the leather-link bags of the 70s. Pick two kraft-tex colors and get your groove on!

The links on the bag and wristlet, as well as the strap accent on the wristlet and key fob, are made using kraft-tex—C&T Publishing’s washable paper fabric that looks and behaves like leather. All you need are regular sewing supplies to work with this innovative product.

I used a heavyweight cotton denim for the body of the bag, but you could certainly use lighter fabrics—such as home dec–weight prints or even cotton quilting fabrics—provided you interface them adequately to keep their shape.

For those using a computerized embroidery machine, a stitching file is available to download. For digital cutters, an SVG file (a special file for that cutter) is also available to download. For those without these computerized devices, patterns for the link shapes are included in this booklet, so you can cut them yourself.

MATERIALS

The materials below make one bag, wristlet, and key fob. Adjust amounts if you’re using fabrics of varying