Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Cargo Duffle Cameras

Along with five of my fun quilty peeps, we're heading off to our annual long weekend sewing retreat on Mayne Island in a couple of days. This calls for a new travel bag, n'est-ce pas?  Who am I kidding, I rarely need an excuse to try a new bag pattern!  Plus I love everything Anna designs and knew I'd make her Cargo Duffle as soon as I saw her first one posted. The best part? This pattern is 100% FREE! Thanks Anna.

I was recently in Seattle and had a lovely visit with Keli at my favourite little fabric shop, Drygood Designs. I was thrilled that she had new Echino cameras in stock, so I purchased a yard to use for my duffle. In addition to sewing, photography is another passion of mine, so I just love this print.

Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle by Poppyprint
(just cause photography is a passion doesn't mean I'm an expert...pardon the sunspot!)

All of the panels of this bag are quilted. I decided this was the perfect project to try ByAnnie's Soft & Stable for the first time. I'd heard good things about it and it didn't disappoint!  It's 3/8" thick foam batting/interfacing that has some sort of fabric-y surface. It's not fusible, but the surface took 505 spray baste very well.   It cost about $18 for enough to make this bag, so it's more than triple what cotton batting would cost, but I think well worth it for the structure it adds to this bag. It was no harder to sew through than batting and it has almost no weight.

Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle by Poppyprint

I quilted the Echino panels with a cream Aurifil 28 wt cotton thread and a 4.5 stitch length. I pieced the bag using polyester Gutermann thread for strength.  Although I followed the pattern and covered the seam allowance (on the inside of the bag) where the bottom and zipper gussets meet with a single fold binding, I decided not to tackle covering the main seams with the binding.  I just wasn't confident I could do a nice job of it.

Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle by Poppyprint

Instead, I followed this tutorial and lined the bag with a quilting cotton. In lieu of pinning the lining along the zipper tape (as recommended in the tute), I first held the lining in place with Clover Wonder Clips, then glue-basted it prior to topstitching all along both sides of the zipper.

Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle by Poppyprint

Finally, the only other change I made was to add in a fabric pull-tab at each end of the zipper.  I love this duffle and will definitely make more in the future. I think that I'll add 3" or more to the width next time to make it a larger bag (and that will necessitate slightly longer straps, as they'll sit further apart).

Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle by Poppyprint

Fabrics used:
Echino cameras
"Deer Valley" by Joel Dewberry (handles and pocket lining)
Essex yard dyed linen in black (handles, panels)
"County Fair" by Denyse Schmidt in home-dec (weight outer pockets).
"Giverny" by Marianne Elizabeth for Bernatex (main lining)

13 comments:

tracy_a said...

It's fabulous! Thanks for sharing the details!

Sandi said...

Very nicely done Krista, I'd be tempted to add some D rings on tabs just below the zippers ontheends and then make a detachable longer shoulder strap. I have a travel duffel bag that uses that method and I love the choice of longer or shorter handles,

Enjoy your retreat.

Live a Colorful Life said...

This is stunning! Your fabric choices are always impeccable. I purchased some Soft and Stable back in January. Of course, it is still sitting in the bag...I have this bag on my short list, so we'll see. Have a fabulous weekend!

Beatrice said...

Hello, thank you for all the details you supply! I'm always interested in those, especially as I am tempted to give this bag pattern a try.

Svetlana said...

fantastic bag, love all the gorgeous fabric you used, and the lining, and that you used Soft & Stable, I have to give it a try next time.

Dianne said...

Nice!! Looking forward to seeing it live and in living colour tomorrow!

Katy Cameron said...

It looks fab, have a great weekend!

What Comes Next? said...

looks great! enjoy your weekend away!

Sandra Coleman Clarke said...

Very nice!!! I like your fabric choices. Have a nice time.

Debbie said...

This is perfect! On my 'to try' list!

Elsa said...

Love your duffel ~ the fabric ~ everything about it!
I've got it on my list of things to make ~ hoping to get to it soon and then maybe I can go somewhere!

rosi w. said...

Did you use the Soft & Stable for the entire shell or just the side panels?

Love your bag!

Kim said...

This is a gorgeous bag. I love your knack for color/fabric combos. Stunning.