Recycled Messenger Bag

The Bag

This messenger bag is made from old bicycle tires, clothes, and other recycled materials. The project should take a weekend to complete. I have been using this bag for a week now and I love that it is spacious and easy to customize. The bag has pockets built into the side and looks unique. It also allows for personalization depending on the materials and features required. A basic design is provided, and we encourage customization to fit the needs of each user. I also made a youtube video showing the features of the bag which can be found here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf7fBhWAtxE)

The Impact

This project reuses textiles and rubber tires. The materials this bag is made from usually end up in the landfill. According to the EPA (National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes, and Recycling, 2022), rubber leather, and textiles made up 11.15% of the solid waste produced in 2018 in the U.S. This bag alone might not make a huge difference to this number, but I hope it will encourage others to find ways to reuse and recycle as well as give them the skills to do so. I have found great joy in learning how to make things and teaching others. The intention of this project is to teach skills and how to use tools so that other people can enjoy learning as I have. These skills and tools can be easily transferred to other projects and shared with others as well.

p.s. Click on the pictures and hover over the boxes to see notes on what to do.

Materials

There are a few materials required to create this bag. Most of these materials are recycled and can be found around the house or at a local thrift store or bike shop. While I have some recommendations for materials there are lots of options available. All materials are recycled except for the thread used to sew them together.

Reused Materials

1. Pair of old canvas or jean pants.
2. T-shirt or sweatshirt.
3. Used bicycle tire, works best with a tire larger than 1.5 inches wide. Tire size dictates the bag size.
4. Strap or old belt.

Bought Materials

1. Thread: There are two types of thread needed. The first thread will be a thinner thread for joining thinner materials. The second will be a thicker thread for the edges and tire. I recommend using upholstery thread and a thinner multi-purpose thread. These thread types can be found at any hobby or leather shop or online at these links. Upholstery Thread (https://www.amazon.com/eBoot-Leather-Sewing-Waxed-Thread/dp/B01CVEX7VG/ref=sr_1_19_sspa?crid=MLCK2OPA1YLE&keywords=upholstery%2Bthread%2B150d&qid=1681789391&sprefix=upholstery%2Bthread%2B150d%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-19-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFCS1pFTTVYV0UxT1ImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NjM4OTgyV0YxRExJVk85NVM3JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1OTY1NzIyVEc5SkNWNzdHRUU1JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1) Multi-purpose Thread ( https://www.amazon.com/eBoot-Leather-Sewing-Waxed-Thread/dp/B01CVEX7VG/ref=sr_1_19_sspa?crid=MLCK2OPA1YLE&keywords=upholstery%2Bthread%2B150d&qid=1681789391&sprefix=upholstery%2Bthread%2B150d%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-19-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFCS1pFTTVYV0UxT1ImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NjM4OTgyV0YxRExJVk85NVM3JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1OTY1NzIyVEc5SkNWNzdHRUU1JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1)

Tools

There are six tools required for this project. Most of these tools can be found at a local hobby store. I have also included links to online options.

1. Fabric scissors: The first option is to get scissors online (https://www.amazon.com/SINGER-Fabric-Scissors-Comfort-1-pack/dp/B000YZ8RGA?th=1) Second option: Find a fabric store near you or a hobby store.
2. Needles: There are a few different size needles necessary. A large-eyed needle for the upholstery thread, and a small-eyed needle for the thinner thread. I recommend buying an assorted pack of needles such as this one from Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/ip/SINGER-Assorted-Large-Eye-Needles-with-Decorative-Magnet-12-Count/813503075?from=searchResults)
3. Pliers: This helps push and pull the needle through the tire. Any local tool stores will have pliers available. An alternative option is called the sewing awl. These tools are great for punching through tough materials. Sewing Awls can be found at a leather craft store or on Amazon. Here is a link to one option (https://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Sewing-Leather-Canvas-Saddles/dp/B097GNBLPH/ref=sr_1_10?hvadid=174209539136&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9029734&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15801707313412101829&hvtargid=kwd-892100739&hydadcr=9383_9621528&keywords=speedy%2Bstitcher%2Bawl&qid=1681610247&sr=8-10&th=1)
4. Pins: Sewing pins are used to hold two pieces of material together. they can be found at any sewing or hobby store. Here is a link to an online option as well (https://www.amazon.com/Urmspst-Straight-Quilting-Colored-Corlorful/dp/B0B7W75S9W/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1GXI03AXGCMH0&keywords=pins&qid=1681611591&sprefix=pins%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-16&th=1)
5. Razor Knife: These affordable knives are used to cut the tire they can be found at any tool store or even Walmart. Here is a link to some affordable online options as well ( https://www.amazon.com/s?k=razor+knife+utility&crid=JLAX9KLO729D&sprefix=razor+knife%2Caps%2C158&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_11)
6. Seam Ripper: This tool can be found at any sewing store or online. (https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-638-Deluxe-Seam-Ripper/dp/B0001DSIVY)

Costs

All the materials and tools should cost between twenty-three and sixty dollars depending on the quality used. These tools and materials can also be used for other sewing projects.

The Tire

The first step is to select the tire. The tire used will determine what size and shape the final bag is. There are a few things to look for when selecting a tire for the bag.

1. Size: Tires vary wildly in size from small ten-inch scooter tires to twenty-nine-inch fat bike tires. The perfect size is the one that fits the use. If there isn't any lying around go to the local bike shop, they usually have take-offs they are willing to part with. Tire size is found on the sidewall the first number is the diameter and the second one is the width. This webpage from Sweet Pete's Bike Shop has a great explanation of how to read tire sizes and types (https://www.sweetpetes.com/articles/bike-tire-sizes-guide-pg564.htm).
2. Type: There are lots of different types of tires but the choice is a personal one. Wire bead tires would make a stiff and sturdy bag but won't fold down as easily. Mountain tires are chunky and look cool but can be heavy. Commuter tires are smooth and durable as well as available in many sizes. We used a folding bead mountain tire for this bag.

The Cloth

1. Pants: I used two pairs of canvas pants that had stains and holes. The important thing is to find durable cloth that looks cool. The great thing about pants is that the pockets can be reused on the inside of the bag.
2. Shirts: Any shirt will do but thick sweatshirts are best as they add stiffness, durability, and cushioning to the bag.
3. Strap: I used an old belt that was found on the side of the road, but any strap will do. The tire can even be cut in a way that makes the other half a strap.

Cut the tire in half. If it is a wire bead tire, pliers will be needed to cut the wires on each side. Folding bead tires just need a knife and a steady hand. Be careful not to cut yourself razor blades are very dangerous.

Clothing has a lot of material but must be seam ripped to be useable. Here is an excellent video on how to seam rip by the Oliver+S YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQeCpzBTl90) For this project we will need to seam rip the pants as shown in the picture. For a shirt, seam rip and sew it along the lines as shown in the second picture.

lay the material out and put the tire on top then cut around the edges with fabric scissors. Make sure to leave the seam as the straight edge on the top. We also layered two pieces on top of each other to help cover the seams and add cushioning. Don't worry about making the cuts straight, they will be hidden in the bag. As shown we used the back of the pants seam ripped to make the pockets available.

Pin the front panel pieces together and onto the tire. If the edges don't line up perfectly that's ok, they are hidden inside the bag. When pinning materials together there are a few techniques used, here is a great video by the Made To Sew YouTube channel on how to use pins to join materials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgj17qIKBx0)

Sew the front panel onto the tire using a whip stitch as shown in the pictures. remove the pins as the materials are stitched together. The tire is thick and can be tough to sew, this is where the pliers will come in handy to help push and pull the needle through the materials. Here is an awesome video on how to whip stitch by Sewberry on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBl3J5SNWps).

With the top of the pants being used for the front panel, the legs of the pants will be sewn together to create a big enough piece to make the back panel of the bag. This can be done once again with the whip stitch we used earlier. Alternatively, it is possible to use a shirt cut down the side. Make two of these pieces for the next step. These pieces need to be big enough to fit inside the tire with some overlap and fold most of the way over the front panel.

The back panel is the most complex part of this project. The steps are as follows.

1. Place the inside piece on a flat surface and put the tire on it as shown in the pictures.
2. Cut the corners around the edge of the tire using it as a pattern.
3. fold the other half over the bag and cut out the front flap being careful to leave a little extra for the next step.
4. Repeat for the outside of the back panel. Use the other panel as a pattern and leave a little extra material to fold over the edges.

Whipstitch the edges of the back panel up to the point where it will be joined to the tire.

1. Fold and pin the edges so there is a nice even edge about a quarter of an inch in width.
2. Whipstitch the flap portion of the back panel stopping where it will join to the tire.

Whipstitch the back panel the same as the front, and make sure to overlap at the ends of the tire as shown in the first picture. Be sure to pin the back panel in place just like the front panel to get an even edge without creases.

I used a leather belt for the strap, the method for affixing it is the same no matter what material is used.

1. Cut it into two pieces
2. Make four holes in the shape of a square
3. Use a needle and thicker thread and sew back and forth between the holes to the tire until it looks like the picture.
4. Finish with a knot in the thread.

1. Add a button to close the flap. I would use a bottom and loop closure as shown in the first picture.
2. More pockets.
3. Add foam to cushion and stiffen the bag.
4. Patches, lots of patches.

“National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes, and Recycling.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 3 Dec 2022, https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#:~:text=The%20amount%20of%20MSW%20recycled,landfills%20was%20146.2%20million%20tons. 

“New Project.” Instructables, https://www.instructables.com/projects.

"Bike Tire Sizes Explained" Sweet Pete's Bike Shop, https://www.sweetpetes.com/articles/bike-tire-sizes-guide-pg564.htm

"Quick Sewing Tips: Two Methods of Seam Ripping" oliver + s, Jun 7, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQeCpzBTl90

"Sewing Tips: How To Pin Fabric" Made to Sew, Jan 13, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgj17qIKBx0

How to Hand Sew a Whip/Overcast Stitch (Basic Hand Stitches), sewberry, Oct 15, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBl3J5SNWps

Recycled Messenger Bag Project, Josiah Davies, Apr 25, 2023, https://youtu.be/Kf7fBhWAtxE