Goodness, I’ve had this post in various stages of completion for the past few weeks — but I’m finally getting around to finishing it for you all. I shared a few sneak peeks of the Cargo Duffle bags that my mom and I made while they were visited at the beginning of May. The bag is a design and pattern from Anna of noodlehead — and it’s a available here.
Ironically, Anna lives really close to where I grew up, so she actually taught a class at the local quilt store on the Cargo Duffle bag. My mom didn’t attend the class, but a friend did, and she graciously lent my mom her finished bag for us to look at while we constructed ours. I’m so happy we had it, because it affirmed the changes I’d already been thinking of making.
If you read reviews of the Cargo Duffle online, you’ll hear a unanimous “love the bag, be warned if you are a beginner.” You definitely need to have some sewing experience and pattern reading under your belt. The actual construction of the bag is pretty simple — it’s all rectangles for the most part, so you don’t need to worry about curves or anything like that.
I would say the thing that was the most confusing/unclear for me was the measurements of the pieces after you quilt the panels. You can cut the fabric, batting and canvas a bit larger than her original dimensions, but then after you quilt them, make sure you trim them back down to the size of the original fabric dimensions. I was confused about the batting being cut smaller than the fabric and canvas. I believe Anna was intentional about this measurement, so you have less fabric/thickness to your seams and to accommodate for shrinkage during quilting, but it won’t be the case if you cut your fabric a little big before quilting and trim back down. Perhaps I read that note and instructions all wrong, which could very well be the case with the pregnancy brain I have going on!
I’m rambling, but bottom line — make sure all of your panels are the correct dimensions after you’ve quilted the pieces.
A quick note about quilting! Be sure to read through the instructions before you just quilt every panel…or you’ll be ripping up or recutting new pieces. The bottom “accent panels” are really just that — as you can see, I didn’t change the color of mine, and I could have skipped them all together, but I liked the seam that shows.
Okay! So on to a few of the changes I made to my bag!
Expanding the Width of the Cargo Duffle
I was so happy to have a bag to look at as I was preparing to cut my fabric pieces, because I knew I wanted more of a square cylinder shape than what I was seeing from photos. Instead of cutting my pieces to the dimensions in the pattern, I changed them to the following:
- BOTTOM GUSSET: 9″ x 30.5″
- ZIPPER GUSSET: 4.5″ x 27.5″
I’m so happy I made this change! I love that it increased the size of my duffle, so I’m able to use it as a true weekender bag or a carry-on. ….or maybe I’m just an over-packer. :)
Peltex 72 in the Bottom Gusset
In looking at the completed bag, I was going a bit crazy by how the bag didn’t hold it’s own shape.
I know. My mom kept reminding me that I won’t be walking around with an empty bag…..
But still, I wanted a bit more structure to my bag. So the change I made was as follows:
- Cut the Pellon 72F Peltex to the final length of the bottom gusset seams — Anna factors in a 1/2″ seam allowance, so cut a length of 29.5″.
- Sandwich in this order to quilt: Canvas, Peltex, Batting, Fabric. By layering in this order you will 1) get a nicer looking quilted look on the outside of your bag 2) the batting will cover the Peltex when you sew the zipper gusset to the bottom gusset.
I will warn you: you will be sewing through quite a bit of fabric when you finally put the bag together! I would have a few new needles on hand for your machine!
And see the final result? An empty bag that has structure. Voila!
Exterior Zipper Pocket instead of Cargo Pockets
I know by removing the cargo pockets, I maybe can’t call my bag the Cargo Duffle anymore, but I just wasn’t totally in love with the cargo pockets. From photos being posted of completed bags, the pockets always seemed to look the most “homemade” to me, and they just didn’t fit the look I was going for.
I actually will be posting a tutorial next week on how I did my zipper. I’m not a fan of the zipper tape showing, like most tutorials teach, so I came up with a new way. Since I completed my bag, my mom found another way to do the zipper as well, so I will play around with that technique and share with you all as well!
You can see my pocket lining before I lined my Cargo Duffle (another change I made). So if you’re thinking about adding a zipper to your bag, you might want to think about lining your bag as well.
Canvas Webbing instead of Fabric Handles
I was really torn about the handles for my Cargo Duffle — I considered leather, the coral used for the exterior, canvas webbing along with fabric… ugh. So many options!
I wanted a really simple final duffle bag, so I’m extremely happy with my choice. My mom used fabric for hers and they turned out beautifully — but it definitely took time and precision to get the straps even as they involve a lot of folding and layers. You’ll love the final outcome, so just keep trucking along! Promise. :)
Speaking of leather, I did also add a small tab of leather at the ends of each zipper. It was clear that there would be a small gap in the large zipper, and I just love the look of the edges having something more. You could use the same exterior fabric of an accent fabric to do the same. Just cut a small square, iron a clean edge and sew onto your zipper ends.
Lining and an Interior Zipper
I kind of thought I would end up lining my bag, but when I added the external zipper it solidified that decision. I found this fabric on a whim at JoAnn Fabrics, and while I can sometimes be a fabric snob, I fell in love with it and the color match was pretty spot on! (My bag exterior is Robert Kaufman Kona Solid in Coral — it’s almost red, but not. I love it.)
The lining was super easy and a breath of fresh air to only sew through 2 layers of cotton versus the bulk of the Cargo Duffle! It was like the icing on the bag-creation-cake. (wow, I am such a dork.)
I cut out the lining pieces the same dimensions listed on the pattern for the Quilting Cotton for the following pieces:
- Front/Back
- Bottom Gusset — don’t forget to use modified dimensions if you choose to widen your bag
- Zipper Gusset
Sew together just like you would the bag, except you won’t have a zipper, so just hem the zipper gusset pieces back. You’ll stuff this lining bag into your Cargo Duffle — making changes to the seams or zipper hem as needed.
Given the bulk of the bag, you’ll probably want to hand sew the lining to the zipper seam, as you can see in the photo above. I pinned it in place, and then used the ladder stitch to sew into place. (I think it’s called the ladder stitch…) I love how I was able to cover up the zipper seam, and give the lining a really clean edge.
Here is where the width of your bag will make a difference. I found that because I’d created such a squared off top for my Cargo Duffle, my lining sagged quite a bit. It was especially obvious on the side with the inside zipper…and I didn’t even have anything in it yet.
I started by hand sewing the corners of the lining in place, but I ended up ripping that out. I found it was easier to pin the lining in place and machine sew along one of the quilt lines on the exterior of your bag. I chose a quilting seam about 1″ from the top-side seam of my bag and just went the length of the top of my Cargo Duffle bag. Now the lining doesn’t droop or sag like it was before.
(My mom didn’t widen her bag at all, and found she didn’t need to tack the corners of her bag in at all — so it’ll probably depend on the width of your bag and just personal preference!)
So there you have it! My modified Cargo Duffle.
I absolutely love how it turned out, and I’m dreaming up all sort of bags I want to design and create. I guess I’m on a bag kick of sorts! If you couldn’t tell from my abundance of Even Better Box Bags…
We took a quick trip last weekend to Andy’s family cabin, and I was so excited to finally get to pack in my Cargo Duffle! I of course paired it with more of my favorites —
|| Lily Jade Designer Diaper Bag
Live FashionABLE Scarf || Everlane Weekender
And of course I had a few Even Better Box Bags inside my duffle — including the one I made the the day before while Harlow was napping! I honestly loathe packing, so having pretty and coordinated bags helps me smile while I do it!
It’s the little things, right?
What are you working on creating right now? What is inspiring you? What questions/tutorial requests do you have for me?
xo
Anna has no idea who I am, nor does Robert Kaufman. I was not paid to make this bag or write about it, I just think it’s a great bag, and I love the changes I made to it. xo!
Adorable! You, the bump, the bag… All of it!!! You look fabulous and that bag is perfection.
Hi,
I understand why no clicking, but we can’t all understand enought well english to follow your tutorial…and I can’t click to tranlate it…very disappointed!!!
est reergards
oh weird! It won’t translate the page? I’m going to email you the text — can you email me at kacia at coconutrobot dot com? and i’ll reply with the post?
thanks!! so sorry!
I realize this is an old post, but do you have dimensions for this bag? I’m trying to see if it will meet my carry-on requirements.
So sorry for my late reply! It does! I use it all the time as my personal item! :)
Oh this is so cute! I love it all, the color, the lining, the quilting! High five, sister!
Great pictures on your tutorial, Kacia! You always are so inspiring. :)
I’d love a tutorial or more pictures on how you did your zippered pockets! Your bag is beautiful!!
I am so in love with this bag… and quickly falling in love with your blog! I want to modify it for a diaper bag for baby #2
Darling Bag. Love your modifications to it. What is the lining that you used? I think it’s a michael miller but not sure. Thank you.
hi Susan! it’s actually just a print i picked up at Joann Fabrics — definitely not Michael Miller, but definitely cute!
Love the modifications and the sleek zipper pockets instead of the cargo pockets and of course the lining… Gathering materials now to make for a friend as a Bday gift!! Thanks for this tut!
oh yay!! how did your bag turn out!??! i want to see!
Nice job – I’d like to give it a try. I like the look of narrower stitching lines in the quilting Did you use a dbl needle or some other guide to help keep uniform rows?
I used painters’ tape to make the first line — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKnoxWbp0cc – and then i just used an edge of my sewing foot as a guideline! :)
I LOVE THIS! Much more than the original cargo! Love love love the zipper pocket addition and lining fabric!! Want to make this NOW and hope my mini sewing machine can handle the bulky fabric!
Love this bag! It’s gorgeous! Did you use the Peltex just on the bottom gusset?
yup! just on that long bottom panel that goes from bottom of the zipper to the other! :)
I love your changes to the original, definitely going to have to try making it this way as I never liked the pockets and in my world I prefer lining.
Hi Kacia,
I am interested in making this bag for my daughter is who is 4. How does this size up next to your girl? Would you stick with the original dimensions for someone so much smaller??
thanks.
Hey Julie! I would DEFINITELY make it smaller! Maybe just look for another zipper length, and then scale the bag to that? I can’t wait to see it finished!
Just discovered your modifications to the Cargo Duffle and they are truly impressive. I love your final bag! Thank you so much for sharing.
oh good!! i’m so happy you like it!!
Hi Kacia! This turned out wonderfully! I’m excited to make this duffle bag for my sister. Just curious how well this bag has been wearing for you, particularly the bottom panel. Does the bright coral show a lot of dirt? Does the cotton get beat up easily? I’m wondering if I should make the bottom gusset out of tougher material like canvas. Thoughts?
I think making the bottom out of something heavier would work well! It’ll be tough sewing through all the layers, if you use the pellon like I did! But mine has held up great!! just reinforce the handles a lot!
Beautiful and super cute! I need something for my carry on for a flight and this looks perfect! Hopefully it will turn out at least half as nice as yours! Thanks so much for sharing your work.
thanks for your kind words, Angie! I really reinforced my straps, and I’ve used it for a carry on many times!!
Thank you love the tutorial, will make my wider also.
Thank you love the tutorial, will make my wider also.
Thanks for the lovely duffel bag instructions
I am a long in the tooth quilter and find that these days I need help with big projects so bags became a new passion for me. I couldn’t find a bag I wanted to make that didn’t look folk art or hand made until your carryall. I love it and your description and pitfalls made it so easy to follow. Thank you
Hi:
Congratulations on that beautiful baby. It was worth everything. I love your bag and would like to know if you have considered adapting it to a small size to carry toiletries and adding a side handle? I look forward to do something like that. Thank you for all you share with us
Thanks for your helpful post on how to modify this great bag. I’ve been looking at this pattern for a while thinking I would make a version of it, and I like your ideas of the exterior zipper instead of the snap pockets.
thanks for taking time to comment, Pam!
Hi, this is just the type of bag I’m looking for, but I need to know the dimensions. Would it be easy to alter the dimensions? I need a bag that’s 17 x 13 x 8 inches.