My Duffle Dilemma

My decades old duffle...

I've said before that I maintain a list of "projects I admire but will never make" saved in a draft blog post. It was one of those topics from my early days that I kept around just in case I had nothing to write about in any given week.

Several of the projects — including a few that have been deleted over the years — are for duffle bags or travel bags. You know, the type you carry when you don't necessarily want to go whole hog with a suitcase. Today's post is a roundup of some of the best free travel bag patterns that I've bookmarked to date.

I actually use one of these kinds of bags on a regular basis whenever I travel by car. It's a rectangular duffle, with zippered pockets at both ends and two other pockets along the front side. It's also expandable, which is extremely convenient. The heavy duty rip stop nylon material has held up to about thirty years of use (and abuse). As you can see above, it's still in great shape.

---

---

Which is why I have this dilemma with respect to duffle (and travel bag) sewing projects: I don't need one. But I seem to be clearly drawn to them, admiring them from afar and often envisioning them being made up in some of my own fabrics.

That said, I would likely be so very particular about one aspect of a handmade duffle or travel bag that it would be reason enough not to make one: I'd constantly worry about it getting dirty.

My bags and purses are carried on me and are never left anywhere, so I don't have that same concern about them. But a travel bag that would typically be put down on the floor and left unattended for lengthy periods — in hotels for instance — is another story entirely.

I should also say that these sorts of projects normally require large amounts of fabric (and associated interfacings) to make in the first place, so that's also another reason why I'm probably never going to make one. 

image courtesy of Sew4Home...

But then I see a bag like the one in the picture above and think to myself, wouldn't that be travelling in style? Look at the details that make this a cut above... the contrasting piping, the decorative stitching on the straps and something that I actually commented on: the instructions for attaching the ends of the short straps show them being put in at an angle. That's a level of meticulousness that you're not going to find in most tutorials.

This particular duffle is a fairly recent project (originally July 27 of last year, but republished a few weeks ago) from Sew4Home. It's meant as an overnighter, but it's on the small side for my preference. Here's a similar project that's larger, at about 18" x 12" x 8". It's designed to slide onto the handle of a rolling suitcase.

image courtesy of Sew4Home...

I suppose it qualifies as a carry-on, but again — even if air travel were anywhere near my present thoughts — the idea of the bag being stuffed into an overhead bin or under the seat (to be kicked at by me or by others) just doesn't make sense to me.

But dang it all, it's a great bag and would be an awesome project to show off one's sewing skills! This duffle features quilting, piping, interior pockets and an open sleeve on the back with pockets on both sides. Yeah, I'd say that if you can make this, you've earned your sewing stripes.

---

Watch live classes for FREE at CreativeLive! [affiliate link]

---

These next two are more traditional "duffles" in my mind, due to their shape. This one can be folded flat when not in use — bonus points there — and measures a roomy 20" x 11" x 7".

image courtesy of Sew4Home...

I like the styling of the angled slip pockets on the front. That added touch and the right fabric would make this a duffle that I'd want to take on the road. (Sew4Home has another version of this project called The Perfect Damask Duffle; comparing the two is a perfect example of how fabric choice can give something a totally different vibe.)

Piping accents are also on display here. No other pockets other than the two angled ones in the front, but sometimes all you need is one big ol' storage space to cart your stuff, and this qualifies as just that.

This final Sew4Home project has been a favourite of mine since I first saw it. Its clever use of swivel hooks makes it a "two looks for the price of one" duffle. Once the strap is detached and the bag is carried by the handles, it looks different.

image courtesy of Sew4Home...

This one has an exterior snap/flapped pocket as well as two interior pockets. Bonus instructions for the decorative tassel. It finishes out at 16" x 10" x 8", which is a good mid-size duffle. I've always thought that if I were to make any of these Sew4Home duffles, this one would be it.

I've made several other Sew4Home projects in the past and have always found them to be very thorough in their instructions and photography. (On occasion, there may be a hiccup about measurements, but usually nothing too egregious.) For free content, you simply cannot beat the quality.

All of the above featured duffle tutorials above can be found on this landing page.

---

Check out crafty classes at Creativebug! [affiliate link]

---

If you prefer learning via video tutorial, here is one from a YouTube channel I actually subscribe to called sewingtimes.

image courtesy of sewingtimes...

Know what I really like about this one? It's got pockets on both ends (zippered pocket shown in pictures above; there's a slip pocket at the other end) and both sides! Given that duffles are usually one great open space inside, it's helpful to have exterior pockets to hold small items.

Finished size on this one is about 18" x 9.5" x 9".

So do you have the same sort of dilemma as I do? If not, have I given you an idea for your next project? Or have you already made one of these? If so, has it held up for you?

'Til next...