Sleepover Duffle Bag

While cleaning out my fabric stash, I discovered this sweet moth print, and fell in love with it all over again! I grabbed my sketchbook and designed a duffel bag big enough to hold everything one would need for a sleepover. You can download the Sleepover Duffle Bag pattern here! (TOW Sleepover Duffle Bag)

It’s time to get creative so gather your supplies and tools, and don’t forget to download the themplate I’ve created to help you along with this project!

SUPPLIES:

• 1 yard  HeatNbond Fusible Fleece
• 1/2 yard StitchNsew hight loft sew-in fleece
• 1 yard HeatNbond Craft Firm interfacing
• SprayNbond Basting Adhesive 
• 1.5 yard of Main exterior fabric
• 1.5 yard of Lining fabric
• 2 yards of 1″ wide webbing
• 1.5 yards of 1.5″ webbing
• Thread
• PDF file TOW Sleepover Duffle Bag
• (2) 1.5″ D rings
• (1) 1.5″ slidder
• (2) 1.5″ swivel clip
• 20″ zipper
• 4 yards premade bias tape or cut (4) 2.5″ strips by width of fabric

TOOLS:

• Iron & ironing board
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Chalk fabric marker
• Rotary cutter
• Self-healing mat
• Quilter’s ruler

1. Download and Print the templates.  Print actual size – do NOT “fit to page” or “shrink to fit.”  Get the PDF file here TOW Sleepover Duffle Bag

2. Cut both the main fabric and the lining fabric to be 10″ by the width of the fabric. Place the sew-in fleece between the main fabric and the lining fabric with the right sides facing out. Spray a little SprayNbond Basting Adhesive between the layers and let dry. Use a quilter’s ruler and a chalk or water-soluble marker to draw your desired quilting design. Stitch out the design with your sewing machine on the entire surface of 10″ by width of fabric. I used simple diagonal lines for my design.

3. Prepare the pattern pieces. Cut out all of the elements indicated on the pattern pieces. Transfer all markings like the handle placement to the fabric. Apply fusible fleece to all main fabric pieces and craft firm interfacing to all lining pieces.

ASSEMBLING THE FRONT AND BACK PANELS:

Unless otherwise specified, all seam allowances are 1/2″.

4. Place the main pocket panel and the lining pocket panel right sides together. Stitch the top of the pocket, with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Turn your work right side out and press the top edge of the seam. Topstitch 1/8″ from the edge.

5. Repeat these steps for the remaining pockets. I made two outer pockets and one inner pocket.

6.  Cut the 1″  webbing in half to create two handle pieces. Using the handle placement markings, place the handles on the front of the bag, extending them all the way to the bottom. Secure the handles by stitching along the length of the handles to the markings, and then stitch all the way back down. Lay an outer pocket over the stitched handles and baste the pocket in place. Then, place a pocket on the inside and baste it in place. If desired, stitch the pockets down to create dividers. I used the handles and a reference.

ZIPPER PANEL:

7. Cut the main and lining zipper panels in half lengthwise. You will now have two pieces measuring 3.5″ x 19″. Place the main zipper panel right side up and the zipper tape along one side of the panel, with right sides together. Place the lining zipper panel facing down over the main panel and zipper tape. This will create a zipper sandwich. Stitch along the edge of the zipper teeth. Flip it open and topstitch along the edge of the zipper teeth. Repeat these steps with the other side of the zipper panel.

8. Open the zipper halfway. Stitch across the zipper teeth, then cut off the excess zipper tape.

9. Cut (2) 3″ pieces of 1.5″ webbing. Slide the webbing into one D-ring and fold the webbing. Slide one piece of webbing into a D-ring and fold it over. Clip the webbing into place at the end of the zipper. Repeat with the other D-ring, basting each piece in place.

10. Place the main bottom/side panels right sides together and stitch along one short side. Repeat with the lining bottom/side panels. Open the seams and press them. Place the main bottom/side panel on top of the zipper panel, right sides together, and stitch at the short end. Do the same for the other side to create a loop.

11. Take the lining bottom/side panel and place it with the right sides together with the lining side of the zipper panel. Stitch together on both short ends. Turn your work right side out.

12. Clip the front panel to the bottom/side and zipper panel loop and baste to keep everything secure.

13. Use the bias tape to finish of the raw edges int the inside of the bag. Make sure the zipper is atleast halfway open and repeat the last two steps to assemble the back panel to the loop.

14. Put together the strap. Insert one end into the swivel clip and stitch the webbing closed. insert the webbing into the slidder, pass it through the second swivel clip and back throught the slidder and then stitch in place. Add some left over fabrics to the webbing to create a unique look for your strap.

If you have any extra fabric scraps, you can easily make the mini pouch! The pattern and tutorial can be found here.

Thanks for joining me! I hope I’ve inspired you to create a fun project using fabric from your stash. The Sleepover Duffle Bag is a really fun project that can easily be modified to include extra pockets, depending on your needs. If you enjoyed this project, please let me know by posting a comment. Also, don’t forget to stop by my Instagram and say HI!

Hi! I'm Deb from Quebec, Canada. I'm always up to something, either sewing, cooking or baking. My family and close friends inspire my creative side.