I purchased this pattern a couple years ago to make a bag for my daughter. It was easy to update the measurements to hold her laptop and art supplies and to replace the front closure with a buckle. It was one of my first projects and even with my lack of experience I was able to complete the bag. She regularly gets comments from people and loves telling them her dad made it! I highly recommend this pattern if you need a messenger bag; you will be incredibly happy with the results.