The last week in June, Sabra from Sew a Straight Line, her sister, and I took our kids to Southern Utah for a Science Camp, put on by us, the adults. It was a ton of fun, and I’m going to review some of what we did over the next couple of days. 
While planning, we decided that we would make bags for our kids to carry all their gear—flashlights, paper and pencils, magnifying glasses, etc. 
I used Anna’s (Noodlehead) tutorial for messenger bags out of cargo pants, or in my case I used army jackets that were thrifted.
I love how B’s has different fabric inside and wish that I had girly-fied hers a bit more, like Sabra did on her niece’s bag.
My kids completely loved them and kept asking for their satchels and still do.
As you can see, I didn’t put the pocket on the flap, but rather on the other side of the bags. 
I was a little afraid their little fingers couldn’t work the buttons on the pockets and when they opened the bag flap, everything in the pocket would fall out.
I used another existing jacket pocket on the inside. 
And since my kids chose three different camouflage patterns, they could easily tell which one was theirs.
Thanks for reading! I’ll be back tomorrow with some of our fun science-y stuff :).
these are such great bags! I’ll have to give the tutorial a try. thanks for sharing!
They’re just amazing! I love how they turned out!
I am eager to read more about this! What a fantastic idea! I’m always lamenting about how I can’t find a cool nature camp to send my kids to. Well duh! I can do my own! I just love this about blogging. Thanks for the inspiration!
This is awesome! I’ve been looking for a messenger bag tutorial. I love messenger bags and if I can up cycle too – yay! Thanks!
What a fun idea!… those bags look amazing! I would love to make one for myself actually!
By the way, I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY for the “Best Bites” cookbook, would love it if you stopped by to check it out!
http://strawberry-chic.blogspot.com/2011/07/our-best-bites-giveaway.html
Those are awesome! And so cool you put on a science camp yourselves. Awesome! Can’t wait to see what you did.
Oh so much fun! Thanks for sharing!
how cuute! I have a bunch of my hubbys old BDU’s lying around and wanna try this project to show my military pride:)
What great bags! You are such a good mom, I need to be more fun!
Cute bags! I’ve always loved the look of messenger bags.
Ooh, how fun! I live in Southern Utah, isn’t it a fun place! :) I love the bags.
You are the coolest mom, ever! I love these bags…they’re so fun! I truly am tempted to find some fabrics and whip up a messenger bag for me…I’m a terrible mess walking out the door. Thanks for the inspiration…cheers!
Miss Charlotte
http://www.lesbonnesideesmag.com/nouveau
these are awesome Christie! they look so amazing. I bet the kiddos have a total blast with them. :)
I love these!! I am totally doing this science camp… next year, I guess. My hubby is a geologist so I’ll let him do the rock part.
I’ve been obsessing over the pattern and found some cargo pants in the thrift pile. I know you used jackets, but your bags look quite a bit bigger than the ones in the “noodlehead” pattern. Would you please share your finished size measurements? Just so I can get an idea of the size comparison on the kids? Thanks so much!