Bag of the Week 30

Traveling Bags

Summer is the time for travel, and this week’s featured bag is made just for that.  I originally made this bag and its twin as carrying cases for my sewing machine using (out of print) Simplicity 7087.  I discovered my machine fit into the bag just fine as long as I left the hard cover off but that seemed to defeat the purpose (leaving my machine more vulnerable while traveling) so I decided to use these bags as travel bags instead.  They hold the perfect amount of clothes and toiletries for a weekend away.  The bags measure 16” wide x 9” deep x 12” high.

The fabric came from a G Street Fabrics upholstery remnant table.  I love the aqua/taupe color combination. 

The bags are given extra support with a layer of fusible fleece and a piece of foam core which is inserted between the lining and the outer fabric on the bottom of the bag.  The contrast fabric forms a pocket with three compartments on both long sides of the bag.  I substituted a heavy jacket zipper for the button/loop closure suggested in the pattern.

I’m happy I was able to repurpose these bags when my original idea didn’t work out as I had planned.  In retrospect I have gotten many, many more miles of usage from these soft suitcases than I would have as machine transport bags.