I hope everyone has enjoyed a nice holiday season. I can't believe my 4 day weekend is already over, and I'm back to work tomorrow. I didn't do much holiday sewing, and it's been pretty quiet around here, so I've gotten a lot of sewing done (I've also eaten a lot of chocolate and cheese).
Now that I've gotten more experience under my belt, I've decided I want to try making bags. My first bag attempt was earlier this fall. I made Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle to use as my new carry-on/overnight bag.
I really love this bag. It's the perfect size and shape for me to use as a weekend bag or a carry-on -- not too big, not too small. I'm able to hold two changes of clothes, and my makeup bag for a long weekend. As a carry-on I can fit a jacket, my tablet, a snack and my EPP supplies. The front pockets are very handy for smaller things, like my phone or wallet.
I would highly recommend this free tutorial, it was great for a beginner like me. I think her patterns are very clear and easy to understand. Now that I know a little more about bag making, I think I would add a few extra pockets to the inside if I made it again.
I also learned to make a boxy pouch last week. This one was a pattern I got from an older issue of Love Patchwork and Quilting.
I was able to make this one in about an hour and a half--which is pretty quick for me. Now that I've done one, I think I could make the next in less than an hour. I ended up using this one as a Secret Santa gift at work, and filled it with chocolate. Pouches are very useful though, I'm sure I'll go back to this pattern again!
Now that I'm getting the hang of inserting zippers, I think I'm ready to make something a little more complicated. I got a couple of patterns for Christmas, and I'm anxious to open them and make things. Do any of you have a favorite bag or pouch pattern that you'd recommend?
Happy Sunday!
This week I'll link up with Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story, NTT Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and the Weekly Inspiration Linky Party at Nini and The Sea
I've been making lots of handbags lately - I think I could do one in my sleep! Like you, I want to try some new patterns. The one i've been making doesn't have a pattern, I just took different pieces of a couple tutorials and made a bag. Guess that doesn't help, huh? :) I think your duffel is great!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried a bag yet, but I did buy a pattern for one (no zippers in it, of course, because I haven't tried one yet! On the skill list for 2015 for sure!). Thanks for sharing your finishes; it's inspiring! (By the way, I am also a sucker for both chocolate and cheese. Yum!)
ReplyDeleteWow, you dove right in and they look great! I haven't attempted zippers since Home Ec in 8th grade (umm, a while ago), and I am mightily impressed by people who tackle them successfully!
ReplyDeleteYour bags look fabulous. . . I have not joined the bag making crowd but you might have just convinced me that I could actually do it! Zippers scare me ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful duffle! Thanks for sharing it cause I certainly had never seen that pattern before and it looks like a fun one to make. I've done zippers before but not particularly successfully and your review that this pattern was good for a beginner inspires me.
ReplyDeleteLovely bag and sweet pouch. Am getting up my nerve to make a bag - very inspirational :)
ReplyDeleteI have a disaster of a bag project under my desk. It is not the pattern's fault – I used the wrong batting. I am hoping I can fix or remake it, but I doubt it will turn out this well.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a great bag - I'll have to look it up. I love making bags too. I've made a noodlehead handbag before and it's a great pattern. From memory it was the Side Kick Tote Bag.
ReplyDeleteLove your cargo duffel bag - looks like the perfect size and i really like the colour combo of the purples, blue and gold
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