My girlfriend has been dying to take me to a fabric wholesaler down in Miami. A couple of weeks ago she took another friend, I'll call her "V" who took pity on me, (as I couldn't go with them on their excellent adventure) and purchased fabric for me. She kept texting me photos of different rolls of fabric while I was on a conference call...oops perhaps I should say no more...
Anyway....she came home with a large goody bag of fabric samples, one which was this fabulous soft brush twill cotton in an olive green. I was in the midst of making spring clutches and stopped because that brush twill screamed Messenger Bag! I decided (after several request) that it was time to make my current messenger BIGGER. My current bag which I call a midsized bag has the current dimensions: Height: 11 1/2", Width: 16", Depth: 3", which can still hold a laptop and other things, but I guess folks want to be able to carry even more...
So I experimented with the pattern and the new bag, "The Larger Messenger Bag" now has the following dimensions: Height: 13 1/2", Width: 17 1/2", Depth: 4", so you can use it to carry books, documents and up to a 17" laptop. I used 10oz cotton canvas for the interior and more stitching for extra reinforcement.
Check out "The Larger Messenger Bag" here.
I am very happy with the results but I think that I may keep experimenting. The next generation of this bag is going to include a divided large split slip pocket across the front exterior under the front flap. What do you think?