Top five picks for overnight or travel bags
The joy of using a handmade bag as your luggage for a long weekend or your carry on for a flight never gets old, and believe me when I say that people notice and comment on your bespoke and unique bag. A real moment to feel proud of something you’ve made, and of course the perfect opportunity to say ‘Thanks, I made it!’.
I’m sharing a few fan favourites with you today, and offering my opinions on the patterns and their practicality. Being a travel bag, you want it to be; robust, spacious, wide opening, stylish,…and most importantly, something you feel proud of. Let’s see what these patterns have to offer.
The latest release from the ever-popular Noodlehead bag patterns, the Oxbow Tote is the perfect bag to take you on overnight trips.
The pattern comes with two sizes; regular and overnight. It lends itself to being amde from cotton canvas and quilted fabrics. Or perhaps you’d like to try waxed canvas?
This versatile bag features a zippered top, a reinforced base and internal slip pockets. It’s an intermediate sewing pattern.
First on the list is a pattern which has attracted a lot of attention over the last year or so, and that’s the Noodlehead Patterns ‘Oxbow Tote’. I’ve written a blog post about this pattern previously, which you can find here.
One of the features of this pattern is that it comes in 2 sizes. The larger size is ideal as an overnight bag, and I’ve used it on plenty of weekend trips as well as carry on for long haul flights. The smaller size is probably better suited as a handbag, rather than a travel bag, but it’s a perfectly cute little bag too. The larger size was able to hold a change of clothes, general carry on items (book, headphones, small wash bag,…) as well as my Hovea Jacket and my laptop on a recent flight to Australia. The bag didn’t fit under the seat in front of me when it was packed this full but was ideal for the overhead locker.
Another great feature of the Oxbow Tote is that you can opt to make this with canvas and interlining, or use quilting cotton and quilt the outer or inner layers. This option is fun because you can really personalise your bag. The quilted bag option offers you a padded bag, which offers more protection for the things you’re carrying (hello, laptop!) but you will lose a tiny bit of space in the bag as the wadding is approximately 0.5cm on each edge, and the space has to go somewhere! The canvas option will be harder wearing than the quilting cotton option, on the basis that the threads used for weaving the quilting cotton are finer than those used for weaving canvas. Using quilting cotton opens up a huge amount more opportunity for patterned fabrics than the canvas options, so there are plus sides to both options.
The Oxbow Tote has a full width opening at the top of the bag, and it’s easy to access your items from within.
Recommended items we currently have in stock:
This is a Cloud9 solid cotton canvas.
It is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The solid colour works well alongside many other solids or patterned canvas.
This is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The light background, along with various hues of pink and yellow irregular lines creating angular shapes make this a fun fabric which is both interesting and simple at the same time.
A conversation between the art-covered streets visited daily by hundreds of people, and the imagination of an innocent and colorful mind. Chalk & Paint depicts theartists thoughts & observations of her surroundings, with a brush soaked in warm soothing colors in one palette and calming dusty marks in the other.
Nocturne is a beautiful range of fabric from Fableism Supply Co.
This set of fabrics come in dark and moody hues, and blend well with the Everday Chambray range too.
This wonderfully soft fabric is 60% cotton and 40 % bamboo.
This listing is for a 1m prepacked length of Style-Vil sew-in foam wadding.
Use Style-Vil for creative needlework with three-dimensional effects, such as handbags, mobile phone pouches, eyeglass cases and for stabilising pieces of clothing, such as caps, hats and shoulder pads.
Style-Vil is a voluminous, sew-in foamed material laminated with wefts on both sides, made from synthetic materials and featuring high abrasion resistance.
Great for quilting to give your hand made bags great structure and durability.
Style-vil is approximately 72cm wide.
To buy Style-Vil by the metre, please visit alternative product listing here: https://www.tuesdayschildfabrics.co.uk/interfacing-wadding/p/vlieseline-style-vil-white-sew-in-foam-wadding
The perfect travel companion, this functional bag includes a comfortable padded adjustable carrying strap and quick-grab side handles, as well as a handy trolley sleeve on back to secure the bag to rolling luggage.
Zippered and slip pockets on the front, back, and ends plus a full-height zippered pocket and three more slip pockets inside will keep everything organized and close at hand.
Optional buttons on the bottom reduce wear.
The bag measures 13¾"H x 14½"W x 4½"D at the top and 13¾"H x 18½"W x 8"D at bottom.
The next on the list is the ByAnnie Patterns ‘Ultimate Travel Bag’. Well, that’s a good start and a bold claim – but coming from the queen of quilted bag patterns I think that’s okay.
The Ultimate Travel Bag has clearly been well considered, with many pocket options both inside and outside the bag. Internally there is a mesh pocket option, which allows good visibility, and helps with organising all your overnight bits and pieces. Externally there is a double pocket to the front (one zipped and one slip) and one slip pocket on either end of the bag. As well as the pockets, there is a sleeve to the back allowing you to slide your bag onto the handle of a suitcase.
The zippered opening at the top of the Ultimate Travel Bag goes part way down each side panel too, allowing for really wide opening and easy access into the bag. This is a definite selling point for this bag.
The bag is designed for quilted fabric, and is bound inside, rather than having a separate lining. The binding adds structure and rigidity to the finished bag, helping it to retain it’s shape.
There is a sew in sleeve in the bottom of the inner bag, for a Perspex bag base to be used. This allows for weight distribution, and structure again.
Recommended items we currently have in stock:
This Art Gallery Fabrics quilting cotton is from the Flower Bloom range.
Swing into spring with bold florals and groovy prints in Flower Bloom. In warm saturated yellows, moss greens and energetic pinks this collection is blooming with colour. Express your inner flower child with vintage inspired prints and playful designs.
It is a medium weight cotton; ideal for lining bags, or using with wadding to make a quilted bag too .
The retro style print with sun, clouds and flowers set against a light pink background make us think of lazy summer days. Why hide this fabric as a bag lining - make it a feature on the outside of your bags too!
Nocturne is a beautiful range of fabric from Fableism Supply Co.
This set of fabrics come in dark and moody hues, and blend well with the Everday Chambray range too.
This wonderfully soft fabric is 60% cotton and 40 % bamboo.
Step into a winter wonderland with 'Christmas in the Cabin' by AGF Studio. This retro collection channels the 1940s, evoking a nostalgic, cozy holiday spirit that'll fill your creations with wintery cheer.
Snow Rush features skiing penguins who are wearing scarves, against a frosty blue background
This range coordinates well with Ruby, Morning Frost and Peacock Pure Solids, which you can find along with the rest of the PS range here.
This mesh fabric comes precut at 18in x 54in.
Mesh is a great option for pockets that you want to see inside, for example a slip pocket on the front of a bag.
The mesh fabirc is slightly stretchy, meaning it has give to access the pocket. It is sturdy and easy to sew.
Fold-over elastic provides a neat and decorative finish to your hand made bags.
The elastic is shiny on one side and matte on the other to allow for fpersonal choice, and is creased along the centre ready for you to attach to the endge of your project.
We especially love using fold-over elastic for finishing the edges of mesh fabric for pockets in purses and bags. We stock coordinating mesh fabrics.
For creative needlework with three-dimensional effects, such as handbags, mobile phone pouches, eyeglass cases and for stabilising pieces of clothing, such as caps, hats and shoulder pads. Voluminous, sew-in foamed material laminated with wefts on both sides, made from synthetic materials and featuring high abrasion resistance.
Style-vil is approximately 75cm wide.
This next one isn’t a bag pattern that we stock here at Tuesday’s Child Fabrics, but we have some excellent fabric choices for it. The Sew Over It ‘ Weekend Bag’ is designed for sewing with canvas, and features a handy external pocket, and nice sturdy straps which are sewn into the base seam.
The straps have been carefully considered, and feature a rectangle ring half way up the body, to help them to lie out of the way when you’re accessing the contents of the bag. Little design features like this make a big difference into a bags usability.
The bag features a full width zipper closure across the top and boxed corners at the bottom to add width, a clever feature which helps keep the sewing pattern beginner friendly whilst maintaining style and functionality.
Sew Over It are known for their stylish and fun dressmaking patterns, and their weekend bag is no exception.
Recommended items we currently have in stock:
This Art Gallery Fabrics cotton canvas is from the Timberline range.
It is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The dark green background, and tree design will add a little fun to any bag.
This Art Gallery Fabrics quilting cotton is from the Timberline range by Jessica Swift.
It is a medium weight cotton; ideal for lining bags, or using with wadding to make a quilted bag too .
The pale orange background, with darker orange random spots give visual interest whilst not distracting the eye for a bag lining.
These metal formed rectangle rings come in a variety of colours and sizes, to suit your preferences.
This 40mm wide cotton webbing is ideal for backpacks, duffel bags, and more.
It’s perfect for durable bag handles, and to add support to large bags.
Part of our core range, this mid weight cotton canvas is perfect for all types of bag making.
Plain colours leave you to add the creative flourish to make your bag truly unique.
AGF Studio Pure Solids are made using 100% premium cotton and environmentally safe dyes, making them a great choice for your next sewing project.
We have a growing range of colours available, to match your projects. If you’re looking for a particular colour which we don’t currently stock please let us know.
This 38mm wide cotton webbing is ideal for backpacks, duffel bags, and more.
It’s perfect for durable bag handles, and to add support to large bags.
This on trend silver leopard print design is sure to add the wow factor to yur handmade bags.
The Dhurata Davies Patterns ‘Rome Weekender Bag’ makes a feature of its gusset piece, which is a great way to add consistent depth across the bag, and allowing for a decent opening space to get your things in and out of the bag. The zipper closure at the top goes across the top and down the side of the gusset pieces part way, meaning the bag opens more widely than those where the zip is purely at the top of the bag.
This pattern has the option for quilted front and back panels, which gives nice padding to protect your belongings. Especially useful if you’re planning on toting a laptop or other tech with you on your trip. Indeed the design of this bag has taken that into consideration with a large inner pocket just the right size for laptops/documents. This is an ideal bag to pack for a work trip, for sure.
This pattern recommends cotton canvas for the outer, and quilting cotton or similar for the lining. As talked about earlier in this piece, canvas is robust and hardwearing, which is ideal for bags which will got a lot of use, and may get thrown about a little.
Recommended items we currently have in stock:
This Art Gallery Fabrics cotton canvas is from the Charleston range.
It is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The cream background, with white, blue, pink and orange pineapple motifs make this a fun summery fabric.
This Cloud9 Fabrics cotton canvas is from the Imprint (canvas) range, designed by Eloise Renouf.
This is a medium weight cotton canvas, ideal for bag making.
The repeating geometric design of this print is both engaging and interesting. It would work well for both small and large bag projects.
This 40mm wide cotton webbing is ideal for backpacks, duffel bags, and more.
It’s perfect for durable bag handles, and to add support to large bags.
D-rings are a useful piece of bag hardware, used for belt style closures, attachment points for straps and handles, and other places where you want the flexibility of a curved edge whilst anchoring solidly at the other side.
We sell d-rings in various sizes and colours, to suit your project. This lisiting is for Antique Brass hardware.
These metal strap sliders are an antique brass finish, and available in a variety of sizes to work across a range of projects.
They match beautifully with many of our other antique brass finish hardware items.
Did you know that we sell all our hardware in individual units so that you can buy just enough for the project you're working on? As well as individual pieces, we also have hardware packs for many of your favourite bag making patterns.
Versatile woven fusuble interlining for bags, shirts, blouses.
For use with lightweight to mediumweight fabrics.
This no.5 nylon coil continuous zipper tape adds a touch of style to your handmade bag project.
Camo print never goes out of style, and should probably be considered a neutral (like leopard print!).
Pair this with fun over night bags, day bags, going out bags,…your creativity is the limit.
The silver coloured metal #5 zip pulls will work with our continuous zipper tape.
Product sold in individual items, so by adding 1 to cart you will receive 1 zip pull.
Keep your clothes and accessories travel-ready with this convenient, stylish garment bag.
The sturdy quilted bag features a full front double-slide zipper opening and has a top opening for hanger extension. A handy loop secures hangers and enables the bag to be hung on a hanger or hook.
The spacious interior compartment is designed to fit several garments. A vinyl window on back makes the contents visible without opening the bag.
Five mesh pockets organize accessories and a large zippered pocket along the bottom of the back of the bag is great for shoes and other large items.
The bag folds in half for easy carrying. Two adjustable, detachable straps make traveling a breeze.
This high-end garment bag is great for taking on the road to dance competitions, performances, or even on vacation.
The final offering in this blog post today is a little different. This is the ByAnnie Patterns ‘Going Places’ garment bag. It’s all very well talking about the main travel bags, which will carry all your belongings for a trip, but what about when you need to keep garments neat and flat. Perhaps you’re going to a wedding, or have a work event that you need to be dressed smartly for? This is the bag pattern for you. Maybe you will make this a matching item to your other luggage? It would go beautifully with any of the other patterns discussed here already.
So, what are the key features of this beautiful pattern? The pattern is a quilted bag, providing padding and protection for your most treasured garments. It has a full length zipper up the centre of the bag, with a clear vinyl window on the opposite side. There is a hole at the top of the garment bag for a coat hanger to pass through, so you can keep your garment inside the bag whilst it’s hanging in a wardrobe too.
As well as the main body of the bag, there are 5 additional pockets to keep accessories, shoes or other smaller items for your trip. Additional pockets are mesh which helps with visibility.
Recommended items we currently have in stock:
This Cloud9 Fabrics quilting cotton is from the Happy Days Range by Brook Gossen.
This gorgeous quilting cotton weight fabric features colourful monstera leaves in greens, purples and pinks against white background.
This fabric is ideal for bag linings, or to use with wadding for a quilted bag.
HAPPY DAYS is a fun and colorful collection inspired by the beauty inside of us and all around us. The happiest days are when we celebrate our love and our diversity and take the time to reflect on the little things in life that bring us moments of joy. Happy days ahead!
This Cloud9 Fabrics quilting cotton is from the Happy Days Range by Brook Gossen.
This gorgeous quilting cotton weight fabric features colourful sun doodles in yellows, purples and pinks against white background.
This fabric is ideal for bag linings, or to use with wadding for a quilted bag.
HAPPY DAYS is a fun and colorful collection inspired by the beauty inside of us and all around us. The happiest days are when we celebrate our love and our diversity and take the time to reflect on the little things in life that bring us moments of joy. Happy days ahead!
This mesh fabric comes precut at 18in x 54in.
Mesh is a great option for pockets that you want to see inside, for example a slip pocket on the front of a bag.
The mesh fabirc is slightly stretchy, meaning it has give to access the pocket. It is sturdy and easy to sew.
Fold-over elastic provides a neat and decorative finish to your hand made bags.
The elastic is shiny on one side and matte on the other to allow for fpersonal choice, and is creased along the centre ready for you to attach to the endge of your project.
We especially love using fold-over elastic for finishing the edges of mesh fabric for pockets in purses and bags. We stock coordinating mesh fabrics.
This Hera Marker is a must have item in your quilting tool kit.
A Hera Marker creates a sharp indentation in your work to guide your sewing line. You can use it to create simple straight lines, or more intricate designs to stitch along.
This listing is for a 1m prepacked length of Style-Vil sew-in foam wadding.
Use Style-Vil for creative needlework with three-dimensional effects, such as handbags, mobile phone pouches, eyeglass cases and for stabilising pieces of clothing, such as caps, hats and shoulder pads.
Style-Vil is a voluminous, sew-in foamed material laminated with wefts on both sides, made from synthetic materials and featuring high abrasion resistance.
Great for quilting to give your hand made bags great structure and durability.
Style-vil is approximately 72cm wide.
To buy Style-Vil by the metre, please visit alternative product listing here: https://www.tuesdayschildfabrics.co.uk/interfacing-wadding/p/vlieseline-style-vil-white-sew-in-foam-wadding
This light weight clear vinyl is ideal for many bag making projects, where you want to be able to see into the bag/pocket.
It’s easy to sew with and creates a fun finish to any project.
I hope you’ve found this blog post informative, and it’s helping you to chose the right sewing pattern for you to make your very own travel or overnight bag.
