On a side note, I am in love, as I know I am not alone, with the adorable japanese print fabrics...I was uninspired by the black and white note and staff fabric that my local JoAnn's stocks. Perhaps that is why it has taken me so long. None the less, I headed over to Etsy and searched and was overwhelmed with choice. Just look how cute these are:
Materials:
*About 1.5 yards of desired fabric for bag (you can do the whole thing with one fabric or do the lining with some coordinating fabric) If you were to do a separate lining, I would get 3/4 yard of each option)
* About one yard of fusible fleece
* Coordinating thread
* Magnetic snaps( I used 2)
1. Measure, Measure, Mark, and Cut:
This, in my opinion, is the key to sewing: measuring and cutting straight perfect pieces before sewing. I can not stress this enough. If you have straight pieces, when you sew, your stitch lines will be straight as you use the edge of the fabric to guide your stitches. If you take the time here to measure twice and then mark your pieces and cut them carefully out, there will not be sloppy seams or messy topstitches.You'll need 2 large rectangles for the bag(exterior and lining) as well as one from the fusible fleece for extra padding. I cut mine 14 1/2 " wide by 28" tall. This makes a finished bag about 12 by 13. You can make your smaller or larger very easily. Just add or subtract an equal amount from each side, including the flaps. Speaking of flaps, you'll need 2 of these. I cut mine 12 1/2 " by 14". Also cut one from the fusible fleece. You'll probably want some pockets: I cut 2 pieces 10 by 6. Lastly, you'll need the strap. Cut 1 long rectangle, 5" by 30". Also one 5" by 30" piece of fusible fleece. That should do it...I added some piping to the flap, but I'll go into that in another tutorial.
2. Fuse Fleece: Following directions on the fleece, fuse it to one flap(inside lining flap), the exterior bag main piece, and one strap. Fuse these onto the wrong sides of fabric.
3. Make Pockets: With right sides together, stitch around 3 sides. Turn and fold edges in and iron. Stitch close to the edge. Then holding your lining right side out, pin pocket about 2 1/2 inches down from top edge and equal distance from either side. Stitch in place on 3 sides:
4. Attach the Magnetic Snaps: Now you have a couple of options here. I opted for magnetic snaps...I like the professional look. I used 2 on either side of the flap. You could use velcro, or just one snap...a button, a buckle, nothing, whatever floats your boat. What you do is on the wrong side of the inside flap, mark positions for the snaps. I put mine about 3" from each side and 2 1/2" up from the bottom edge. Attach snaps following package direction. Make sure the snap's good side is face out on the right side on the inside flap. Hope this make sense. Then attach snaps to the exterior bag main piece. Lay the exterior right side up. Attach the snaps to the right side of the fabric about 11" from the top edge and about 4 1/2" from either edge.
5. Make the Strap: With right sides together, fold the strap lengthwise and stitch along open raw edge. Turn right side out and edgestitch along both long edges.
6. Make the Flap: With right sides together, stitch around the 2 long sides and one short side. Clip corners (to reduce bulk) and turn..This unstitched side will be the top of the flap and will be attatched to the bag later. Top stitch around three sides. Conversely I made some piping for this flap to jazz it up...You could also add binding...The world is your oyster.
7. Make the Main Body of the Bag:
This is perhaps the most confusing part. It is easy, just hard to explain verbally. I'll try it, but just think of when you wrap a present you want nice and neat corners...Same with your bag since we do not have a separate base on our bag, we need to fold the bottom to make a seamless bottom for your bag. Another way to think about this is an accordian fold or even adding billows to the bottom of your bag.
Here goes:
Lay the exterior body wrong side up. Fold it in half so that the top edges align with the wrong sides together. Place the folded body so that the fold is closest to you and the short edges are away from you. Pin along folded edge. Now fold the top layer down making a new fold about 1 1/2"=2". Pin this new fold. Fold the body again so that the short raw edges are touching again (aligned). Pin through this new fold and all folds. Sew along both long sides, making sure to sew through all 3 folds. Press, clip, and turn right side out. 
Repeat with the lining main body. Keep lining inside out.8. Assemble the Bag: Pin one raw short end of the strap to the raw edge of the main body (exterior) over the side seam. Align the raw edges(the strap should be facing down). Pin. Do the same with the other end of the strap and the other side seam, making sure strap isn't twisted. Pin the short raw edge of the flap to the back raw edge of the main body exterior, between the straps. The snap should be facing out. Pin aligning the raw edges. Place the bag exterior into the lining with right sides together. Using the side seams to match up the lining with the exterior. Make sure the flap and the straps are facing down and inside the lining. Stitch, slowly,around the bag, back stitching over the straps-leaving about a 5" opening. Turn the bag right-side out-I find this part very satisfying. Top stitch around the top of the bag to finish, being sure to fold under and close the 5" opening. DONE.
