This is one of those projects – the ones you envision during a spark of inspired genius towards the end of the summer and say (to no one in particular) … “Hey, do you know what would be awesome? I should make 4 Cargo Duffles for my family for Christmas!” Then you email them right away and ask for their favorite fabrics, but it takes you until October to order the fabric, of course. After it arrives and is pre-washed (just in case), everything sits through sewn Halloween costumes, your oldest’s birthday party, your wedding anniversary weekend away, Christmas shopping… until finally – on the 12th of December – you finally realize that you are going to have to start!
I’m sure you have had this happen to you before?! Thankfully I finished them up in time to mail out on December 23rd. A little late – but finished. And my family loves them and they have already been put to good use. So now I can share them with you! (I got most of these fabrics from my sponsor Fabric Spark, a linked list of fabrics is located at the bottom of this post. The others were from my stash or from Warp & Weft, which has recently closed.)
These bags were so much simpler to make this time around! I still love my first Cargo Duffle – in fact it is one of my most favorite projects. As usual, making something the second (or 5th time around) you know what you are doing already. I got to use my zipper tutorial again – the one that explains how to change a double zipper so the sliders meet in the centre, instead of finishing at the ends. I had forgotten how simple it was to do!
To make my life a little easier, I substituted a large zippered pocket instead of the pattern’s two cargo pockets (tutorial coming soon). It is my own design and all of the edges are finished inside. The zipper creates a fully closed pocket – so I feel more confident filling it! I also used strapping instead of sewing the handles – which made me a little sad, since the handles look amazing sewn – but speed and time was of the essence!
I’ve also been asked to post the measurements for the Cargo Duffle Backpacks I made in 2013, so that will be coming soon as well. They use the same construction as the duffle bag, but with different measurements. The girls still use them a lot and the Ann Kelle fabric is just so cute! I recently made new serged-edge Beach Robes for the girls using the Ann Kelle Girlfriends mermaid fabric – perfect! You can see them here on Instagram.
I hope you are having a great start to your week and I’ll see you again soon!
Fabrics: (top to bottom, see photo below)
- Parson Gray – Empire Felucca, Indelible -Spirodraft, Kona Cotton (likely Charcoal)
- Lotta Jansdotter – Blomster (out of stock, similar here), Kona Cotton (stashed mystery colour), Essex Yarn-Dyed Linen/Cotton – Black
- Ghastly Forest – Mist, Essex Yarn-Dyed Linen/Cotton -Flax, Stashed Black Denim
- Tula Pink – Foxtrot Shade, Tula Pink – Moonshine Swarm Fern, Stashed Black Denim
- Bias Tape: Parson Gray – Empire Fishnet, Ghastly Bramble – Tea Stain, Stashed Red
these are beyond amazing. What great gifts. Your binding to hide the seams is perfection. But most of all I love the zippered pocket. You can be assured I’ll be watching out for that tutorial. I will have to check out your tutorial ,again, for how to make the double zipper going in opposite directions. I have seen it but was too tired to make sense of it. I think I need zipper in front of me to go through the steps with your instructions. Well done Sherri.
Thanks so much Ann! I’m glad you are excited for the tutorial. I love how they came out as well 🙂 Simple and super functional!
Yay! My bag is FAMOUS!!! 🙂 I can’t wait for a chance to use it! Thank you again for all your hard work. I absolutely LOVE it!
Yes! Super Famous 😉 I’m glad you like it – the fabric is amazing!
Yay! I was wondering if you had finished them in time! I haven’t started mine yet…
I’m sure it will happen Lisa! You’ve got so many other beautiful quilty projects…
These are simply beautiful!!! Don’t know how you found the time to create these but I am in awe! I am sure they will be well used, and loved. Thanks for sharing your creations, and I love the fabric selections you made.
Thank you so much Shannon! It’s all the later-than-I-should-be-up nights I spend 🙂 Argh! I’m still catching up on my lack of sleep!
They are beautifull! Your family is lucky to have you ;). I mostly come up with an idea for a gift to late to actually make it…
Oh my goodness Mirjam! That happens to me so much! I didn’t make about as many Christmas gifts as I did make because of time… at some point reality takes over. 🙂
these look great. I can’t believe you made four! The Tula is my favourite
These at beautiful I wouldn’t mind having one
Awww. Thanks Tracie! I’m so glad you like them.
They look fabulous! Handmade Christmas gifts are the best, even if they’re a bit late 😉
Thanks so much Reece! I love that my family makes their gifts – it’s always a nice surprise 🙂
Wow. Beautiful bags and I love your fabric choices!!
Hooray! Thanks Daryl. The Tula Pink is my favorite – I had a hard time letting that one go! 🙂
Those are amazing. You have such great talent. Just beautiful.