Cargo Duffle Bag

I am breaking my rather long blog-silence to show off a project I am pretty proud of—my Cargo Duffle Bag! Another great pattern from Noodlehead (free from Robert Kaufman Fabrics).

I used my new favorite fabric line, Tule by Leah Duncan for Art Gallery Fabrics (which I bought from Hawthorne Threads). I love these prints. The main fabric is Meadow Vale in Bright, the pocket and handle accent fabric is Floras Oasis in Naranja, and the lining (both pockets and bag interior) is Terrain in Cactus. The bottom accent and bottom gusset is Essex Yarn Dyed in Denim from Robert Kaufman.

I referenced Anna's tips here, as well as some tips from the sew-along hosted here, and I used skirt as top's lining instructions.

I added a welt pocket just like I did in my Showoff Bag, with a 9" zipper, because that is really useful to have inside a bag.

I got my coverall zipper from Jo-Ann (they had three colors to choose from so that was fine). I wish the two-way zip closed in the middle, rather than at the ends, but oh well. I did switch to my zipper foot for the zipper installation, which wasn't in Anna's instructions but which I found helpful for making it look tidy.

I am not an experienced quilter and actually invested in my first walking-foot for this project. I got the $35 Singer one from amazon which works quite well on my Janome Sewist (which I finally started sewing on recently after my mother gave it to me for my birthday over a year ago!). I used a size 16 needle as recommended in the pattern (only broke one!) and it went very smoothly.

I cut the quilting cotton an inch bigger because that is what Sophie recommends in her sew-along, but I found it unnecessary and honestly a total pain to cut everything back down to the correct size after I quilted. Oh well again.

I managed to finish the bag in time to take it overnight to Warm Springs for my dear friend's bachelorette getaway last night (yay!).

But, I have to admit my real inspiration was Kristin's hospital bag, because, yes, that is right, I'm expecting babe number three! Just 24 weeks now—I have until mid-August. Nothing else is prepared yet for this littlest one's arrival, but at least I have something fun to pack my things in when the time comes. I have a feeling this summer will fly by.