Sew Better Bags: The Weekend Duffel

Hey bag-making enthusiasts! Are you ready to take your skills to the next level and sew like a pro? Look no further, because, in this Craftsy.com video class, you’ll learn how to make a sleek and stylish duffel bag that will turn heads and be the envy of all your friends. With expert guidance from fabric and pattern designer Betz White, you’ll start by cutting out all the pieces for your bag and working with specialty stabilizers.

Betz will then show you how to create two types of interior and exterior pockets complete with hardware, so all your essentials stay organized and within reach. You’ll also learn how to assemble the front and back of your bag, create a fully lined interior, and sew the curved end panels with neat and durable seams. The main zipper will be a breeze to sew, and you’ll add sturdy upper and lower handles as well as a detachable shoulder strap.

Finally, you’ll finish your duffel bag with a fully lined base and an optional insert for added structure. And the best part? You can learn how to sew a travel bag in just a weekend! So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now and be amazed at how easy and fun it is to sew a beautiful and functional duffel bag that you’ll be proud to show off.

If you’re looking to expand your duffle bag making skills, check out these tutorials!

Tutorial: Duffel bag with piped seams In the “Duffel Bag with Piped Seams” tutorial, you’ll learn how to add a touch of sophistication to your duffle bag with elegant piped seams.

Tutorial: DIY duffel bag The “DIY Duffel Bag” tutorial is a beginner-friendly guide to making your own duffle bag from scratch

Tutorial: Bon Voyage Travel Duffel Bag the “Bon Voyage Travel Duffel Bag” tutorial will show you how to create the ultimate travel companion, perfect for all your adventures.

Next Pattern:

I am just smitten with this felt gingerbread house bag. This would make such a sweet special Christmas accessory for a kid. It’s a free pattern at Benzie Design, designed by Gracie from Hello Gracie Makes. It’s packed with adorable gingerbread house details, like swirls and stripes and scallops adoring the doors and windows.

And while all those details might seem like this would be a complicated pattern, it’s actually not. The bag itself is made from felt, which makes finishes edges unnecessary. (All of those scalloped edges are just cut from felt, no edge finishing required.) The strap is super simple, made from rope with knotted ends. And all those details are made with some basic hand embroidery stitches. Sparkle felt makes it extra cute.

The striped scallop roof is actually the top flap of the bag. A magnetic snap makes it a secure closure. The rope straps are attached through felt loops at the side of the bag.

They rate this project as an intermediate level, and it should take about 6 hours to make start to finish. That’s doable for a Saturday project or a couple of evenings. Full color photos step you through the entire process.

The project includes a shopping list for all of your supplies. They’ve got a shop so you can order all of them from Benzie if you like and get exactly the supplies used in the project. I noticed it includes a pair of scallop shears, which makes cutting all the scalloped edges for the roof and around the door a breeze.

Finished dimensions of the little felt gingerbread bag are approximately 6 ½” wide x 7 ½” tall. That’s the perfect size to hold a small book, a small toy, or a notepad and some cute pens.

Go to Benzie Design to get the tutorial and free pattern for the felt gingerbread house bag.

Next Pattern:

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