A Man's Bag

[harmonise]

Hee Hee!! I'm just tickled to death that my DH just asked me to make him something!! He very shyly asked saying "i don't know if this is something you can make or not, but I would like to have some kind of man's purse to put my wallet and keys and stuff in." he went on to say it's ok in the winter cuz he can use his coat pockets but he'd like something for the warmer weather. i was thinking something along the lines of a knapsack kind of thing, cotton (of course)....any pattern suggestions? anyone ever make something like this for their DH or "other"? did they really use it?

[kmadel]

I haven't seen anything like that, but I'm wondering if you couldn't make something little that would attatch to his belt loop(s) with carabiner (sp?) clips. I made a little purse like that just to hold keys and a cell phone and its really pretty handy. Not sure how to make a 'manly' one, but I'm sure with the right colors and a simple design it could be done!

Krista

[waterbaby]

I was going to make a similar suggestion to kmadel's -- something more flat-ish than drawstring-ish, along the lines of a fanny pack. A rectangular bag with a zipper or a flap that can be buttoned and an attached belt...oh, I just remembered a pattern I used once....

 

http://www.fuzzygalore.biz/patterns/passport.shtml

 

I made this with Homespun yarn and changed the size a bit, and instead of making a strap that goes all the way around I made two separate pieces, coming from either side at the top, and put bottonholes at the end of one and a button at the end of the other (hope that makes sense).

 

Maybe even better for your purpose -- 'cause they're a little bigger -- here are some envelope and clutch purse patterns you could easily adjust for size and, again, make an attached belt rather than a strap:

 

http://www.kreinik.com/kshop/product.php?productid=121&cat=33&page=1

 

http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/cjtq-potholderEnvelopeBag.html

 

http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/60030.html

 

 

If you want more depth than an envelope bag: Giguring out the basic size you want to end up with. Make a piece to be the front that is the height and width you want. Make a back piece the same width but "taller" so it can flap over (don't forget buttonholes if you want 'em). Then make a band as wide as you want the bag to be deep and as long as the bottom and two sides of the shape of your finished bag. Stitch the front piece along one long edge of the band. Attach the back piece. Now you can add your belt or other means of keeping it around the waist.

 

Use manly colors and tight stitches -- maybe even felt it, which would create a really sturdy piece.

 

Good luck!

[**Ann**]

I just saw one that was a fanny pack type of thing-the belt was attached with caribiners and it looked "manly" enough.

It was basically a small envelope bag like the link above but attached to a belt that sat on the hip. If you use cotton it will probably stretch-you might want to use something with less give or be sure to line it.

good luck