Kids Size Cargo Duffle

 I love my Cargo Duffle so much, I decided to make one for each of my kids.  With upcoming summer trips and sleepovers on the horizon, they both really could use a nice, kid sized bag.  Like my version, I simplified theirs from the original tutorial from Noodlehead. I didn't do any quilting and left off all the pockets.

 

I modified the size so that my pieces were as follows:

Front/Back - 18 x 11 inches (cut 2)

Zipper Panel - 4 x 28 inches (cut 2)

Bottom/Size - 8 x 28 inches (cut 1)

Finished dimensions: 17" wide x 10" tall x 7" deep

On the exterior pieces I lined each piece with a midweight fusible interfacing. 

 Since my daughter chose a directional print, for the bottom/side panel, I cut the piece in half and made a seam across the bottom so that the print wouldn't be upside down on one side.

 I used upholstery vinyl, folded in half and stitched, for the straps.

I cut the lining from a quilting weight cotton and used a sew-in, heavy weight interfacing on all the pieces except the zipper panels.

I let the kids pick their own fabrics and I think they made great choices!

 

These bags came together very quickly and the kids love them!  Can't wait for our upcoming trips.

Cargo Duffle Again!

A good pattern is one that stands the test of time, and the Cargo Duffle for me is one of those patterns. Anna from Noodlehead partnered with Robert Kaufman fabrics in 2013 and published this free pattern.  I made my own version back in 2015 and then a kids size version later that year.  Here I am 10 years later going back to the same pattern with my own modifications.  

This time around I invested the time in the quilting and the result absolutely was worth all the effort.  I also added end tabs so I can attach a shoulder strap if I want.  

I made my verison a bit wider  so my bottom gusset was 8in x 30.5in and my zipper gusset was 4in x 30.5 in.  

With zipper by the yard being so readily available, it was easy to add a two way zipper.  If you haven't discovered zipper by the yard, I highly recommend it.  I'm slowly working my way through all my sized zippers and will eventually transition to cutting all my zippers to size by project.  

I made the bottom with a vegan leather for added durability and made a drop-in canvas lining.  I added Peltex  to the bottom and side panels below the zipper for added structure.  

Though I made quite a few modifications to this bag, including leaving off the cargo pockets, I still mainly followed the pattern and it was my primary inspiration.  I'm already planning my next bag that I'll likely make to donate to a local fundraiser auction.  This one I'm keeping for myself and can't wait to use it on my next trip.