The Sloan Travel Bag
I have been wanting to try this bag for a long time. It’s one of the first Sew Sweetness patterns I saw in my local bag making group. I originally was going to make it with tropical fabric to be an airplane bag but after I made a similar bag for that purpose it just sat there for a few years. And then I found this wonderful lemon fabric (really anything with lemons on it these days goes in my cart because of my business name) and decided that I could make this as a work/laptop bag for my business stuff. One day I could even use it to take to tradeshows or craft shows. I was sold! I really like the cute side pleated pocket details but this pattern stayed on the shelf a bit longer until I was able to purchase my rivet press and get the antique brass snaps to match the hardware for the bag.
I started cutting out pieces and realized I didn’t have enough of the lining fabric! You see, I always buy a yard of each, especially when I don’t know what bag I’m going to make with it, because a yard will generally be enough for a pattern. Of course this bag is huge so I really needed a yard and a half. And since I was trying to line up the stripes in the inside and I made fabric lined handles, I was going to be way short. Luckily Stash Fabrics still had this in stock so I was able to order some more of it, along with a solid green for the interior pockets. And then my back went out of whack and I wasn’t able to do any sewing for about three weeks.
So I was very excited when I was finally able to continue with the project. I had a few issues during the construction. First I had trouble visualizing how the front pocket was assembled. But what I love about Sew Sweetness patterns is that they come with a video so I was able to watch that part of construction (thank you for adding time stamps!). Second, I had trouble with the snaps, mostly because I haven’t used them much, so I was confused about what die piece went with which part of the snap. And then I installed it based on the video not realizing that the snaps Sara was using had a nice cap on both sides and mine only had a nice cap on the female end. So really I should have switched the pieces and installed the female end on the flap so it had the nice finish. Oh well, I was making the bag for myself anyway. Everything else came together as expected and it is HUGE! This really would make the ultimate carry-on bag. I might have to make another one in the nice tropical canvas fabrics I’ve bought…hmm.
I don’t know that I will be making these to sell, mainly because these large bags take so much time and materials to put together. I would have to charge about $100 for one and I’m not sure the market will handle that. I was also hoping to use these as a diaper bag pattern but I think the Sew Sweetness Aragon bag will work better for that. I’m happy I did the double sided straps as the yellow and white stripes are so cheerful and fun. And I really love the way the green cork looks with the fabrics. I never would have thought about green cork if it wasn’t for the dark green in the lemon fabric. So, all in all, it was a good make and I will proudly carry this to future events as a representation of my brand!
The Details:
Pattern: The Sloan Travel Bag by Sew Sweetness
Zippers: #5 Emerald Green by My Handmade Space
Interfacing: SF101 and Flex Foam
Finished bag size: 18”w x 14”h x 6”d
Fabrics
Exterior: Primavera Citrus Blossom in Metallic Lemon by Rifle Paper Company
Interior: Primavera Cabana Stripe in Yellow by Rifle Paper Company
Interior Pockets: Kona Cotton in Basil
Cork Accents and Handles: Grass Green Cork from Sew Sweetness
Hardware: Antique Brass from Emmaline Bags
