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The Mini Duffel Bag Instructions

Page 1: The Beginning

Download the pattern (PDF format)

Click here for text-only printable instructions.

A mini duffel bag for carrying whatever you want. You could use this as a purse, an airplane carry-on or for a more specific purpose, such as my sewing bag made with print of old-fashioned sewing ads.

For this project, you need 3/4 yard of outside fabric, 3/4 yard of sturdy fabric (like twill), 3 yards of webbing for handles or a strip of fabric at least 1.5 yards long, two 14" zippers, two 7" zippers, 3" of 1/2" velcro, and matching thread.

The instructions are divided into three pages: Page 1: The Beginning       Page 2: The Middle       Page 3: The End

Getting Started

Step 1: Sew the two #1 pieces of fabric together at the bottom (the long side). Use a 1/2" seam allowance. Press the seam allowance open and do the same for the lining/sturdy fabric pieces.

Step 2: Line up the fabric body and the lining body, right sides OUT. They baste together or zig-zag stitch around the edges.

Step 3: Sew the lining and fabric pieces #2 along one end, with the right sides together. Use a 1/2" seam allowance.

Step 4:Flip the piece right sides out and topstitch along the seam. Then baste or zig-zag stitch the rest of the piece together

The reverse side for step 4.

Steps 5-9 are to make straps out of fabric. If you are using webbing, skip to step 10.

Step 5: Cut out strap fabric. You need two strips of fabric, 3" wide by 1.5 yards long. (Or shorter if you want shorter straps). Step 6: Take each strip and press in 1/2 lengthwise, right side out.

Step 7: Open up the strip and press the edges into the center.

Step 8: Now fold in the center again and press.

Step 9: Edgestitch along each side.

Step 10: Make one giant circle (not two circles) of strapping, stitching the two pieces end to end with zigzag stitching. Make sure you don't incorporate any twists.

Step 11: Align the joined ends of the strapping on the middle seam of the bag body (indicated by the arrows).

Step 12: Mark the strap 2.5" from the edge. Stitch on the strap following the topstitching on the strap (or where it would be if you used webbing). The stitching pattern is more apparently looking at the back (next photo).

The stitching pattern used to attach the straps. It may help to use an iron-on basting tape (like Stitch Witchery) rather than pins to hold the straps in place while stitching.

Step 13: Make "lashing points" to cover up the raw strapping edges. Cut 2 of piece 7 out of either fabric or lining fabric. Fold the edges under (1/4" allowance) and press.

Step 14: Place the lashing points over the raw strapping edges....

... and topstitch in place.

Moving onto the ends and zippered pockets...