weekend_duffel_bag

The Weekend Duffel Bag

The Weekend Duffel bag is a good project to learn bag making skills and it is also a practical bag that you can use to travel or even as a gym bag. In the interior, the bag features a zipper pocket and an interior divided pocket.  In the exterior it has nice accent patches, a front pocket with flap, straps, an adjustable strap, and a handle that closes with velcro.

I used Aztec prints fabrics that I bought at my local Joann’s Fabrics.  The only issue that I had was that the fabric shrank when I fused the interfacing.  I was able to construct the bag but it came out smaller.

Lesson learned: always check if you need to pre-shrink your fabric before cutting 🙁

weekend duffel

Pattern: Templates from the Craftsy Class Sew Better Bags: The Weekend Duffel

Fabric:  Aztec prints fabrics from Joann’s Fabrics.

Stabilizer: Fusible Fleece

 

 

Materials Needed

  • 3 1/2 yds of fabric (1 yd main fabric, 1 yd contrasting fabric, and 1 1/2 yd for the lining)
  • 4 yds SF101 Interfacing
  • 1 yd Fusible fleece
  • 18″ or 22″ zipper (depending on the bag size)
  • 7″ zipper for the interior zipper pocket
  • 4″ piece of 1″ velcro
  • base insert (heavy duty stabilizer such as peltex or plastic canvas)
  • 5 yds 1 1/4″ webbing (if used for straps)

Hardware

  • 2 twist-lock (or magnetic snaps)
  • 2 – 1 1/4″ D rings
  • 2 – 1 1/4″ rectangle rings
  • 2 – 1 1/4″ swivel snap hook
  • 2 – 1 1/4″ slider

Weekend Duffel Bag Pattern

I used the instructions and templates provided with this Craftsy Class.

 

In general the bag was easy to sew and I learned new bag making techniques. The class include instructions for two sizes (Finished Measurements: Regular: 19¼” x 10¼” x 8¼”
Long: 23¼” x 10¼” x 8¼”) and there are two different options for the exterior pockets. I chose to make a bellows pocket and used a magnetic snap to close it, but you can also make it as shown in the class picture (using a pleated pocket and close it using a twist lock)

There are also two options to make the straps.  You can make the straps with a contrasting fabric or you can also use webbing.  I chose to make my straps using a contrasting fabric.

I enjoyed sewing this bag and would make it again.

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These are some pictures of Weekend Duffel bags from other people (pictures from the Crafsty Platform)

 

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Happy Sewing!
Anabelle

 

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