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When they finally appeared, many people thought they were unnecessary, impractical and even scandalous
Pack everything you need for the beach into this sturdy duffle bag! With a strong rope handle, it’s perfect for carrying all of your beach essentials from sunglasses to your swimsuit! Why not use nautical fabric for a jaunty look? You could make a set of these for the whole family, so everyone is ready to head out on your next trip.
You could also use this duffle bag pattern to make a handy bag for your gym kit or take it to the supermarket instead of using a bag for life.
This duffle bag pattern was originally featured in Simply Sewing Magazine. Discover what’s inside the latest issue or see the latest subscription offers. Looking for more seasonal sewing projects? Try our best summer dress sewing patterns, sun top pattern and bucket hat sewing pattern.
If you’re looking for more bag patterns, learn how to make a bento bag for all of your outings or sew your own messenger bag pattern.
Read on to learn how to make a duffle bag using Jess Entwistle’s lovely duffle bag pattern.
Materials used
We’ve used Coastline fabric from Art Gallery Fabrics to make our bag, but it’s no longer available online, so you could replace them with a similar fabric. We like the John Lewis online fabric collection.
Notes
Use a 1.5cm (5⁄8in) seam allowance.
You will need
-
Main fabric
50x112cm (20x44in) -
Contrast fabric
50x112cm (20x44in) -
Curtain lining
50x112cm (20x44in) -
White cotton rope
12mm (1/2in) diameter x 150cm (60in) -
6 silver eyelets
14mm (5/8in) diameter hole - Basic sewing kit
Method
Cutting out
1
Cut out a 23cm (91⁄8in) diameter circle from paper to make the base template.
2
Cut the main fabric as follows:
- Outer base: one circle using the template.
- Outer body: 36x72cm (141⁄8x283⁄8in).
- Strap binding: 7x7cm (2¾x2¾in).
3
Cut the contrast fabric as follows:
- Outer eyelet band: 10x72cm (4×283⁄8in).
- Lining base: one circle using the template.
- Lining body: 43x72cm (17×283⁄8in).
- Strap loop: 9x9cm (35⁄8x35⁄8in).
4
Cut the curtain lining as follows:
- Base: one circle using the template.
- Body: 43x72cm (17×283⁄8in).
Making the bag outer
1
Place the bottom long edge of the outer eyelet band right sides (RS) together with the top long edge of the outer body and stitch together. Press the seam open.
2
Place the joined outer body wrong sides (WS) together with the curtain lining body and stitch together all the way around the edge just 5mm (¼in) from the raw edges so this stitching won’t be seen later.
3
Fold this joined piece in half widthways then stitch together down the side to make a tube. Press the seam open.
Attaching the strap loop and base
1
Fold the strap loop in half RS together and stitch down the length. Turn RS out, press and fold in half widthways, pinning the raw edges together.
2
Place the base outer and curtain lining base WS facing and stitch together all the way around.
3
Fold to mark the quarter points of the bottom edge of the outer body with pins.
4
Fold to mark the quarter points of the outer base circle with pins.
5
Matching the quarter points of the bag outer and bag base, pin the two RS together all the way around.
6
Place the strap loop between the body and base, centred on the side seam and matching raw edges, then pin into place.
7
Stitch the outer body and outer base together, enclosing the strap loop.
Lining the bag
1
Make the bag lining in exactly the same way as the bag outer but leave a 10cm (4in) turning gap in the centre.
2
Place the lining inside the outer RS together and match up the side seams. Stitch together all the way around the top edge.
3
Turn the bag outer RS out through the gap in the lining then slip stitch closed.
4
Push the lining inside the bag and topstitch around the top edge.
Adding the eyelets and rope
1
The eyelets are inserted into the centre of the eyelet band and through the lining and spaced evenly apart. Make sure the bag’s side seam is placed centrally between two of the eyelets. Measure carefully and insert pins at the positions you want them.
2
Follow the instructions on the packet of eyelets to cut the fabric and hammer them into place.
3
Thread the length of rope in and out of the eyelets, starting and finishing on either side of the side seam.
4
Take one end of the rope down through the strap loop at the base of the bag. Overlap the two rope ends by 4cm (15⁄8in) and stitch securely together by oversewing.
5
Turn three edges of the strap binding under by 1cm (3⁄8in) to the WS and press. Fold this around the overlapped rope ends with the turned-under end on top of the raw ends. Slip stitch into place to secure and hold the rope ends neatly together.
You’ve finished! We hope you’ve enjoyed making this duffle bag pattern.
