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Monday, November 18, 2013

Getaway Duffle Bag + Giveaway!

It's been a while since I've made a full-sized bag or purse, but when Virginia from Gingercake PDF Sewing Patterns invited me to be a part of her Holiday Gifts Sewing Series, I knew which pattern of hers I wanted to try--The Make Your Getaway Duffle!


During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, our family almost always has to make at least one out-of-town road trip to visit with extended family.  Usually, I just end up packing all of Ella's things in my suitcase, but now that she is getting bigger, I thought it was time she had her own bag.

The pattern offers pattern pieces for both an adult size and a child size bag.  I chose to make the child size bag which measures 18" wide x 12 1/2" tall x 5" deep.  It's really a nice sized bag and will be perfect for packing Ella's clothes and shoes for weekend trips!


The pattern instructions are clear and easy to follow, and there are lots and lots of photos to help you work through each step of the construction.  If you've ever sewn a bag or purse before, it's a pretty straightforward design that should give you no problems, but if you are a confident beginner, I recommend going slow and reading through all the instructions before you begin.

For the exterior of the duffle, I used Ann Kelle's Bubble Gum from her This and That collection and Hot Pink chevrons from her Remix collection.  Kelle gifted this fabric to us as a thank you for allowing Ella to be a part of her Super Kid's photo shoot a few weeks ago.


For the interior of bags, I always use duck cloth or canvas.  The duck cloth is very durable and a heavy enough weight fabric that I don't have to line it with any interfacing.  It's thickness helps give the bag some shape and definition all on its own.

I did make a few additions to this bag, but that is the great thing about this Gingercake pattern.  It's a great basic duffle bag pattern that you can customize!

The first thing I did differently was to add more interfacing to the exterior of the bag.  The pattern calls for heavy weight fusible interfacing, but over the last year, I've learned that Pellon Shape Flex is what I prefer to use for bag making.  Couple Shape Flex with a layer of Pellon Fusible Fleece or as I did for my Getaway Duffle, use car headliner fabric to give the exterior fabric more support. This was my first time using headliner fabric, and I am very happy with the results. The pattern instructs you to quilt the gusset of the bag, so I continued that theme to the front and back panels as well.  I thought this added more visual interest to the bag as well as secured the headliner fabric to the cotton exterior.


In addition to the headliner fabric I used as an interfacing, I cut out two pieces of scrap fabric the size of the bottom of the bag and fused a piece of Pellon Peltex to it.  I then sewed the seam allowance of this sleeve to the seam allowance of the exterior bag.  This addition provided the bag with a stiffer bottom and a more professional feel.

For the handles, I chose to leave them wide and straight line quilt them so they would be more durable.


I also added a little pull tab to the exterior on either side of the zipper.  Luckily, I realized I needed to add these before I sewed the lining into the bag.  This little square definitely makes opening and closing the zipper much easier.


You may have noticed my matching luggage tag hanging from the handle.  It was super easy to make, and in a few days, I'll post a tutorial so you can make one, too!


Now Ella is ready for travel during the holiday season, and I am going to love having all that extra space in my suitcase since I no longer have to pack her clothes with mine!  I should have made her a Make Your Getaway Duffle bag a long time ago!  I had so much fun sewing this that I might just have to make another one to give as a gift (or to use myself)!

Ready to make your own Getaway Duffle Bag? Then enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a copy of the Getaway Duffle Bag Pattern from Gingercake PDF Sewing Patterns!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Please be sure to visit Gingercake and follow the Holiday Gifts Sewing Series for more inspiring project and gift ideas!  Have fun sewing!

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41 comments:

  1. I am always shopping on-line so I may take a sale in or two, all from the comfort of my couch!!!

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  2. I don't like the big mess on stores on Black Friday. I prefer to buy online.

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  3. I love it!
    the fabrics are gorgeous!
    besos
    Diana

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  4. I am going black (thursday) friday shopping. I'm already comparing the ads online and figuring out which stores have the best deals on the must-haves. Little man is getting a train table from grandpa and grandma so for sure he is getting a thomas the train set from Walmart!

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  5. I'll be black Friday shopping but for appliances because we need a new oven and the sales will be good. I think it can be fun and manageable as long as it's only for one or two items and there's plenty of tasty coffee and good company.

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  6. The older I get, the more I online shop. Fighting crowds just is too much!

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  7. Maybe at Joann's.. Though I will be working that day (at Joann's!)

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  8. Lovely bag! I do not do the Thanksgiving sales - I host Thanksgiving and have guest and make it about that and not Christmas! :) thanks!

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  9. Yes I do go out on Black Friday. Crowds are crazy, but it's my chance to get super-reduced things for the home (towels, sheets, etc). I don't buy for Christmas on Black Friday - the "hot" things are tough to get and I will not wait hours just to get into a store!

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  10. I plan to shop online as much as possible. Probably some buying on Black Friday, but not in stores :)

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  11. I might shop online, but usually I use black Friday as "make something day"

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  12. I love the bright chevron fabric you picked.

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  13. I avoid stores on Black Friday like the plague! Plus, this year I have to work, so I couldn't if I wanted to. Thanks for the giveaway - the duffle is adorable!
    emyerly(at)wideopenwest(dot)com

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  14. I never shop on Black Friday. I do however shop on small business Saturday.

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  15. I always shop in stores on Black Friday.

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  16. I'm hoping to find some great deals...online shopping is awesome!! LOVE the Getaway Duffle Bag, so CUTE!!

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  17. Beautiful job Veronica! You know that I love it. I love to online shop on black friday and all that. I think I mostly do a lot of looking though. I am usually still in a turkey coma!

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  18. Oh the bag is stupendous!!!!
    I'll be working Black Friday so maybe Internet deals if I'm not too tired!

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  19. We usually go Black Friday shopping but this year will not go because the stored open on Thursday. We believe everyone should have the day to spend with their family.

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  20. I'm going to shop online this Black Friday. The bag is great!
    isabel_mbpp@hotmail.com

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  21. I would love to win this pattern! I need a new bag!

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  23. No Black Friday shopping for me, unless it involves fabric, of course!

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  24. I might get some online Black Friday deals. But our stores up here in Canada don't do very many of your fabulous sales... :)

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  25. Trying to avoid the madness this year though it can be terribly tempting!

    LOVE your bag in these fabrics! Precious!!!!

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  26. I don't dare enter stores on Black Friday... too dangerous! LOL

    Beautiful model there!

    darlene
    kittyklaws13411@yahoo.com

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  27. That bag is great! I would love to try one. I especially love the tip about the duck cloth lining...thanks for that! Interfacing is such a pain and can wrinkle up your outside fabric.

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  28. Love everything about the bag. It's perfect for your daughter! Nice going, Mom!

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  29. Ella is very lucky to have such a stylin' bag! The fabric you used is perfect for the duffle that I'm sure will be used for many years. Have a happy day - Heidi

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  30. Since two of my sisters and my mom will be at my house for Thanksgiving, there's sure to be some black Friday shopping happening!

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  31. I would love to win this darling pattern, it is so cute...!! My Granddaughter would love one...thanks!!

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  32. Great bag. I would love the pattern so I could make one.

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  33. I would love to make the sales, but I work in the emergency field and have to be at work. Great bag. Would love to make.

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  34. I don't plan to do any Black Friday shopping this year. All of my "store bought" Christmas shopping is done. I tried to avoid box stores, shopping local or on Etsy. (I have 9 grandkids, so I shop and stash throughout the year to avoid a pre-hoilday panic.) I have a long list of handmade gifts I hope to finish, so I may work on those over the Thanksgiving weekend.

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  35. I have never shopped Black Friday sales, the crowds are just too much for me. I try to shop all year so I can spread out the spending!

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  36. Yes online only though I think my husband and I will be traveling, so it might be a bit difficult

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  37. I love to shop Black Friday sales, especially when it's for me. : ) The local quilt shops are having BF sales so I'll definitely be adding to my stash.

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