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 I originally made this bag and its twin as carrying cases for my sewing machine using (out of print) Simplicity 7087.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.