Review: Campfire Messenger Bag Pattern (Noodlehead)

Just before PAX East this year, I did something ridiculous. I made myself a new bag from a pattern I had never used before just two days before the convention.

Starting so late meant I could not order the correct zippers or hardware; I had to make do with whatever I had or could scrounge up at Joann’s (whose zippers I have come to utterly hate and whose hardware selection is seriously wanting). But… I think it turned out all right!

This is the Campfire Messenger Bag from Anna Graham of Noodlehead. I saw this pattern on Pinterest and honestly had a hell of a time finding it! But I just loved the look and thought it would be perfect for toting my stuff around the convention. I was right — this makes a great convention bag. It’s not too big, yet you can hold a lot in it. With both a zipper top closure and messenger flap, everything feels very secure. I kept my phone in one of the front pockets where it felt safe yet easily reachable. It’s a wonderful bag both visually and functionally.

The pattern and instructions themselves are fantastic. There are only two actual pattern pieces — one for the flap and one for the gusset — and the rest are rectangles with cutting dimensions given. But the directions are clear and illustrated with crisp and easy to understand diagrams. The instructions even include suggested cutting layouts, ideas for different closures, and a few sources for bag hardware. It is definitely a high quality package.

I love that I was able to feature a little bit of LTTP fabric on this bag without making the entire thing out of it. This bag would also look great in black with an applique on the flap, or in a black and white print with yellow trim. You could probably even make it in leather. This bag has a great design that’s super flexible, and overall I highly recommend it!

Shop note: I’m currently running a promotion where if you sign up for my mailing list, you get a coupon for 10% off at my shop, where I will have bags for sale made of this LTTP print! This promotion and coupon are only going until the end of August, so sign up now!