suggestions for sewing a messenger bag / hip bag

[obsessis]

i am planning on constructing a messenger-type bag and a hip bag out of canvas and am looking for suggestions...mainly design and any construction tips. I will be sewing it by hand. I plan to buy a sewing awl to help.

The messenger style bag I would prefer kind of small, I'm thinking of making one a little deeper than it is wide instead of wider than it is deeper. Any suggestions or pics of something similar that I can base my design after? suggestions for locking mechanism or anything else would be appreciated. I plan to use prob. 1.5" belting for the straps.

I am also going to construct a little bag that I will put on my belt, using two thick 2" belting pieces to go on the back to slide my belt through. I figure i will make two, one wider and shallow and one deeper and not as wide. any design suggestions?

i haven't made anything like this before so I would appreciate any tips that you'd have for me.

[obsessis]

come on, i know someone here has to sew.

[Thorns]

Messenger bags are real straight forward. I can't think of any 'tips'.