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2-in-1 Bag: Stroller Bag into a Messenger Bag

September 20, 2010 - By Ashley Johnston 195 Comments

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Okay, stroller users.

We need to talk about a few things.

Do you have one of these bag problems while strolling around with your little kiddo(s) in tow?

Your purse/bag handles aren’t long enough to fit over both stroller handles, making it difficult to find a place to hang your purse?
You decide to sling both straps over one of the stroller handles but it hangs too low and then wacks you in the leg each time you take a step?
Or maybe you skip the purse all together and just throw your wallet, some diapers, your keys and phone down into the storage basket below the stroller. But then you arrive somewhere where you can’t take the stroller inside, so you have to grab your loose things from below, plus a squirmy child, and enter your destination. Eek.

Can you relate?

Well, we are heading down to FL for a week getaway and my word, I’m tired of the bag/stroller dilemma.

So I needed a quick-acting conversion bag.

So, here’s my solution.

This bag begins as a stroller bag with 2 snap on straps on each side, holding the bag up high and out of the way. It also keeps the bag from slipping off the stroller handle(s).

The heavy duty snaps attach and release quickly, making the transformation speedy.

So when you’re ready to convert it into a messenger bag, just remove the permanently attached longer strap that is hidden inside of the bag while not in use…

Then un-snap the two side straps, removing the bag from the stroller.

Next, sling the long strap over your shoulder and attach it to the short strap that was previously used as one of the stroller straps.

Then, just snap the two snaps, press the velcro into place (for added strength)………

………and you’re ready to go.

The other short strap that is not in use, can be re-snapped into a loop and then used as a toddler handle if needed. (Remember this post here? Sometimes the little walkers just need something to hold onto.)

And then when you return back to the stroller, just quickly re-attach the side straps to the stroller, tuck the long strap back into the bag, and you’re on your way again.

And oh my, thanks to this sweet friend of mine for demonstrating her little guts out for me.
Made it nice and easy for me.

Thanks Lizzie. You’re great. And your spunk……..ahhh, it’s refreshing.

Anyone in need of their own 2-in-1 Stroller/Messenger Bag?

Here’s how I made mine.

I started out with two outer pieces of fabric and two pieces of lining, all of which measured 12 x 22 inches. (My outer pieces of fabric were very sturdy pieces of upholstery fabric. The lining pieces are just plain ‘ol cotton. Worked great for this project.)

Then I placed the two outer pieces of fabric together with right sides together and sewed along the short sides and along the bottom, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance……and left the top open. Then I zig-zagged around those 3 sides as well. I did the same thing with the 2 lining pieces.

Then, I grabbed one of the bottom corners, stuck my hand up inside the bag, and then opened up the fabric a bit so that I could fold the corner down like shown below. Now the side seam of the bag is going up the front of this new point and the bottom seam of the bag is going directly down the back of this new point. Make sense?

Then, keeping the folded corner exactly in place, I measured down two inches from the tip of the point, and placed a pin in place.

Then I sewed a straight line right across. And then another line right above that, to secure it in place. Repeat with the other corner and then both corners of the lining.

Then turn the outer fabric right side out and leave the lining inside out………and iron your seams flat as best you can.

Next cut out two pieces that are 17.5 x 14.5 inches, to be used for your bag flap.

Place the two pieces together with right sides together, then sew along the sides (14.5 inches) and the bottom (one of the 17.5 inch sides). Leave the top open.

Then clip the two bottom corners. (Not sure why? Take a look at why, here.)

Then turn the bag flap right side out, poke out the corner and then press flat. Then top-stitch around the 3 sides, making a seam about an 1/8 of an inch from the outer edge.

Onto the straps.

Cut out one outer piece of fabric and one piece of lining that is 43 x 3 1/4 inches. And then cut 2 outer pieces of fabric and 2 pieces of lining that are 10 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches.

Then sew the two long pieces together along the sides and one end, with right sides together. Then sew each shorter piece together with its matching piece of lining, with right sides together. Again, sew along the sides and one end. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Then trim each corner on the one end of each strap piece, turn right side out, and press flat. Then top-stitch around the 3 sides, making a seam about an 1/8 of an inch from the outer edge.

Now onto putting the bag together.

Take one of the short straps and place it face up on top of the long piece, which is also facing up.

Match up their raw, un-sewed ends.

Then turn the two straps over and line up the exact middle of the 2 3/4 inch wide straps, right up with one of the side seams of your main bag piece. See the two straps there, with the right side of the fabric facing the right side of the bag fabric?

And instead of lining up the upper edges of the bag opening and the raw edges of the two straps, raise the straps up about a half inch above the edge of the bag opening and then pin in place, making sure the center of the strap is still lined up with that center side seam of the bag. (Doing this will allow you to have extra fabric to secure the straps to the bag, and provide you with more fabric to create seams to secure the bag strap in place. You’ll understand better later on.)