Tuesday, December 17, 2013

dancing cargo duffle

I made dance totes for my kids several years ago, which I still love.  But The Middle Child has since advanced to a competitive dance troupe, and spends many hours at the studio per week.  She needed a bigger bag for all of her gear.  And a handmade dance bag was one of the only things she requested for Christmas.  Like a crafting mama needs any further prompting??

Then Anna of Noodlehead released her Cargo Duffle pattern for Robert Kaufman.  Not only is it fabulous, it is FREE (thanks, Anna!).  I NEEDED to make one, and A + B = Dance Cargo Duffle.



I modified it slightly, making it smaller in width by about 2 inches, which still provided oodles of room.  I also only did one cargo pocket as I only had a small scrap of my favourite Japanese ballerina fabric left, which I used for the pocket flap.  L-O-V-E. 


The bag is quilted in a quilt-as-you-go manner to achieve its structure.  The top half I quilted in straight lines (well, as straight as I can manage), and for the bottom portion I did a combination of freehand swirls and pebbles.  The raw sedges inside the bag are then covered with bias tape.  I had a half genius idea to cut my lining pieces a half inch larger on each side to allow fabric for fold over to cover the edges without bias tape.  I say "half genius" because if I was really smart, I would have allowed a full inch for a double fold cover….a bit of pulling and coaxing was required, but it all worked out well!


I used a variety of girly fabrics for this bag- a wee floral from Tasha Noel's Little Red Riding Hood, a bit of Aneela Hoey Cherry Christmas, some Camille and Bonnie Bliss, a Riley Blake stripe, and some Essex linen to round things out, all from my stash.  Which I have to say, only encouraged me further to justify my ridiculously out-of-control fabric hoarding….love how I had all these fabrics on hand that went together so perfectly!


I think my very favourite detail is the personalized label on the side panel, using printable fabric.  Super cute and prevents other jealous ballerinas from trying to pinch her bag ;)



All in all, I expect to have a very happy little girl dancing around the tree on Christmas morning!  




17 comments:

Leanne said...

It's excellent, I am sure she will love it. I have been looking at this pattern, I might have to make one too.

Anna said...

It's so so cute!!!!! seriously what an awesome present. And the personal touches you added are just perfect. :)

Ashley said...

SO beautiful. Love the swirls.

Leigh Anne said...

So perfectly perfect! Adding this to my list for sure :)

Anonymous said...

It's lovely, that ballerina fabric is just perfect!

Katie B said...

I need one of these duffles in my life. Yours looks awesome!

Little Island Quilting said...

Impressed {very}

Shay said...

That is brilliant...she'll be the best turned out ballerina in the troupe.

Mama might even get requests from other little ballerinas who want the fashion accessory du jour!

Kelsey said...

Too cute, she will adore it!

Katy Cameron said...

I have to admit, from the title I was fully expecting that bag to be dancing, but it's cute anyway ;o)

Wendy said...

what a fab bag, such a good shape and size and you chose great fabrics for it. I remember my (long-gone) dancing days with fondness... I was crap at it.

Susanne said...

Oh this bag is great! I am sure she will love it.
I would love to have a look insight. Not sure how the edges look like (after they are covered).

Susanne

trudys_person said...

I love this too! Lucky daughter. I might try this pattern ... I don't have the gumption for a Weekender, and I like the boxier, shallower shape of this one.

Sarah said...

The bag is gorgeous! I'm sure the ballerina will love it. I haven't made a lot of bags, but I may go check out this free pattern. Just to see how difficult it would be to sew!

Michele said...

I just love it. She will be thrilled.

Svetlana said...

it's perfect. I love all the pretty fabrics you used, all the little dancers will surely be envious of such an amazing bag.

Weaveron Textile said...

WOW!! very cool :)
I love it!!