Weekend Duffle Tote

Item # 22017376P96

Advanced Weekend Project

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

Download and print the provided PDF for the top corner curve pattern.

Front/Back solid contrast: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 5 1/2"x 21"
Front/Back Lining: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 15"x 21".
Use the corner curve pattern to round the top two corners of each piece.
Side Panels: Cut 2 each from interfacing and print fabric, 7 1/2"x 7".
Side Panel Solid Contrast: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 5 1/2"x 7"
Side Panel Lining: Cut 2 from solid fabric, 12"x 7".
Bottom Panel: Cut 2 from solid fabric 7"x 21".
Zipper Panels: Cut 2 each from print fabric, solid fabric and interfacing, 4"x 29".
D-ring Loops: Cut two each from interfacing and print fabric, 4"x 4".

Match the 21" edge of the front/back panels to the front/back contrast pieces, right sides together.
Sew together using 1/2" seam allowance.
Press seam allowance toward the solid fabric.
Top stitch on the solid, 1/4" from the seam.

Make marks 5" from the center of the panel in each direction as guidelines for the inner edge of the handles.
Make marks at the top and bottom edges.
Cut 1" belting into 2 pieces, 54" long.
Pin each piece to one panel, lining up the inner edge of the belting with the marked guidelines.
Place a pin on each side 2" from the top of the bag to mark the end of the stitching.
Before sewing, double check that the belting does not twist as it is pinned.
Sew around the belting close to the edges, stopping at the marked pin.
At the top of the stitching, add a box stitch with "x" through the middle to reinforce the stitching.
Pin loop of the handles to the center of the panel to keep them out of the way for future steps.

Measure the exact length of the zipper teeth including the stop.
Add 1/2" to this measurement.
Match printed fabric zipper panels right sides together.
Mark with pins the length found in the step above, centered in the middle of the long edge of the panel.
Baste with a long machine stitch and 1/2" seam allowance between these pins to prepare for zipper installation.
Sew the remaining portions of this side with a normal stitch length, back stitching at the pin marks.
Press seam open.
Repeat with zipper lining.
Pin the zipper, right side up, on the wrong side of the prepared zipper lining.
Center the zipper teeth to line up with the basted section of the seam.
Using a zipper foot, baste the zipper to the lining with a long stitch.
Turn the lining to the right side and make sure the basting stitches appear centered around the basted seam.
If needed, remove basting stitches and make adjustments.
Pin the outer zipper panel to the lining, wrong sides together, sandwiching the zipper in between.
Carefully pin around the zipper, keeping it centered on the seam.
Stitch around the zipper using a normal stitch length.
Backstitch across both ends to reinforce the seam at this point.
Remove basting stitches from both panels.
The zipper should be installed straight between the panels.

Take one 4"x "4 fabric squares and fold two opposite sides in 1/2" and press.
Fold these sides in to meet in the center and press together.
Top stitch 1/2" from each side.
Repeat for the second square.
Slip a D-ring onto each piece and pin the raw edges together, forming the loop.
Pin the raw edge of the loops to the short edges of the zipper panel, centered on the seam.
Baste loop in place using 1/4" seam allowance.
Pin the fold of the loop, with the D-ring inside, to the zipper panel to hold it flat and out of the way while sewing.

Pin the 7" printed edge of the side panel to the 7" side of the zipper panel, right sides together.
Pin the lining right sides together to the lining side of the zipper panel.
The end of the zipper panel with the D-ring loop will be sandwiched between the side panel and lining.
Sew across with 1/2" seam allowance.
Press side panels down at the seam and topstitch on the side panel side with 3/8" seam allowance, catching the seam allowance.
Repeat on the other side.
There should now be a side panel on either side of the zipper panel.

The bottom panel will connect the side panels and zipper panel into a loop.
The construction is similar to how the sides were attached to the zipper panel above.
Pin one bottom panel to the bottom of the side panels, right sides together, matching the 7" long sides.
Pin the lining bottom panel to the wrong sides of the bottom of the side panels, sandwiching the bottom of the side panels between both bottom panels.
Sew across the seams with 1/2" seam allowance.
Turn everything right sides out.
The zipper, sides, and bottom panels should now be connected in a loop.
All seams on the 7" width should be enclosed.
Baste around the raw edges of the loop at 1/4" seam allowance.

Pin the loop to the front panel, right sides together.
Take care to match the seam where the solid contrast meets the print.
The bottom panel of the loop should line up with the bottom of the panel, meeting the side panel at the corner.
Sew from the bottom of one side panel, up around the zipper panel, and down to the end of the other side panel.
Remove fabric from machine and adjust before sewing straight across the bottom panel.
Open the zipper for turning before repeating the steps to attach the back panel.

Working with the bag inside out, flatten the bulk of the side/zipper/bottom loop and back panel to tuck neatly within the front panel.
Pin down if need to keep clear when sewing in the following steps.
Match the lining to the front panel, sandwiching the side/zipper/bottom loop and back panel in between.
The wrong sides of the front panels are facing out.
Sew around the front panel, lifting and pivoting as needed along the bottom.
Leave a 6" opening along the bottom seam.
Turn everything out through the 6" opening.
Now the front panel is lined, and the seams enclosed in between the lining.
Tuck the seam allowances in at the 6" opening and sew the opening closed by hand with a ladder stitch.
Keep the bag turned inside out with the zipper open.
Repeat the steps above to sew the lining to the back panel.

Turn bag right sides out through the zipper opening.
Press bag.
Make the crossbody strap by finishing both ends of the belting by slightly heating and melting the cut ends with a match or lighter.
This will prevent fraying.
Fold one end of the belting though the ring end of a swivel hook.
Overlap the end by 2".
Sew the end in place stitching close to all edges.
Repeat for the second end of belting.
If adding an adjustable slide buckle, sew one end of belting same as above directions.
Weave the slide buckle over the free end of the belting.
Insert the end of the belting through the ring end of the second swivel hook.
Weave the belting back through the slide buckle.
Attach the swivel hooks to the D-rings at the sides of the duffle.