With its pieced or pleated pocket and squared off flap, trimmed with buttons, the bag has a wartime military feel“
I have a picture on my website of a bag I designed ages ago, but due to circumstances, it has been a long time coming to market as a pattern. Life has taken a lot of twists and turns since we did the initial photoshoot on Sidestrand beach one misty autumn morning. But now, due to several requests for the pattern, I have pleasure in finally releasing the new Letheringsett Messenger Bag PDF.
Inspiration for the name
The bag is named after the north Norfolk village of Letheringsett, situated in the Glaven Valley close to the Georgian town of Holt. The village has a history dating back to the Domesday Book and it boasts the last remaining watermill in Norfolk to produce flour. In fact, during lockdown and beyond, I purchased their amazing spelt flour to make the best bread ever!
Inspiration for the bag
The bag has 1940s influences and with its pieced or pleated pocket and squared off flap, trimmed with buttons, it has a wartime military feel. I’ve made the sample bags up in everything from vintage English wool tweeds, corduroy and handwoven Harris Tweed to the more recent summer weight samples shown here. I know Charlie’s Aunt is synonymous with tweed fabrics but I wanted to show that you can still achieve an English country look with firm weight linen or cotton materials. I love the version in the plain oatmeal linen paired with the small floral print on a navy background.
The location
The pictures for the tweed autumn/winter versions of the bag were taken on Sidestrand beach, as mentioned before, and in woodland amid the bracken close to the village one bright autumn day. The more recent summer weight fabric versions were photographed in the cottage garden, which this time of year absolutely bursts into bloom and is a total treat. The picket fence gate makes an ideal prop for the photoshoot. I couldn’t resist using the blog as an opportunity to show you some of Jim’s wonderful flower pictures (above and below), taken in between bag or hat shots.
The bag pattern
This simple design features a choice of two pocket styles, one pleated, one panelled, and can be made with a two-part front and back, or all in one colour. Letheringsett also has two interior pockets, one patch and one zippered. It is a good practical size and shape for everyday use and is slightly smaller than other messenger bags in the Charlie’s Aunt range.
Following on from the previous two pattern releases, in terms of assembly, the snap is placed on the pocket before the bag is stitched together, so the only thing to ensure is that you place the pocket in the correct place. The instructions are very clear.
You can create your own strap, use a leather one with tweeds, or a cotton webbing strap works well with summer linens and cottons. I’ve used a double layer of webbing for both the straps on the summer weight bags to give a more substantial strap that is still in keeping with the material. Trim the flap with a flourish of buttons.
To purchase the Letheringsett Messenger Bag, visit the Charlie’s Aunt Etsy shop. As always, please email emma@charliesaunt.com if you have any questions.
