The Noodlehead Campfire Messenger is the last bag I completed for the Bag of the Month Club. I’ve had the Petal and Plume by Bari J from Art Gallery for a while and as soon as I saw this pattern, I knew the flap would be the perfect way to showcase this gorgeous fabric. I coordinated the Peacock Waltz with Rumpled Gentian and some lovely solids from Stay Home Fabrics for the lining and accents.

This bag is loaded with pockets! With pleated outer pockets on the front, another front pocket (zippered) and a back slip pocket, plus a slip pocket inside. It also features an optional recessed zipper closure, and an adjustable cross-body strap.

The bag has room for another focus print on the inside flap too! The pattern originally called for snap tabs on the flap and pleated pockets, but I didn’t have any snaps that would go nicely with these elegant fabrics, so decided to create a different closure type: with 2 D-rings and a strap. I thought I was being really original, but as it turned out, others had done the same thing. They must have great minds! Since being released apart from the Bag of the Month Club, Anna has updated the pattern to include the D-ring closure and also a thumb-lock option.

I used Pellon Flex Foam 77 as my main stabilizer in the bag, plus Pellon Shapeflex 101 throughout and Pellon Craft Fuse 808 for the pleated pockets and back pocket. I was a bit nervous about the pleated pockets, but they were a cinch to do with the pattern instructions. I opted for the recessed zipper to create a more finished and functional bag. I used bulk zipper tape and pulls from Paccana to make my own matching zippers. See my blog post and video here to make your own! The bag is finished with binding along the top to join the the interior and exterior. I think the binding on the pocket tops is nice, but I may sew it without the binding finish next time, and just turn it through a gap next time since binding finishes aren’t my strong suit. I do like how it ties in all the accent pieces though.

For my final touch, I used metal zipper ends from Emmaline Bags. I think they add the perfect amount of bling, and I love them because they save me from fussy fabric zipper ends.

What do you think of the Campfire Messenger? Print out your copy of the PDF and get started on your own! If you weren’t part of the Bag of the Month Club, you can now buy this pattern individually from Noodlehead, here. 

Now that you’ve had a chance to see some of the bags from this year’s Bag of the Month Club, I’m curious if you’ll be joining me next year. Answer this quick poll, or leave me a comment.