A Travel Bag - Take 1

 There is nothing like make-your-own to solve a gap. After a trip in April this year, I wanted a smaller bag to take on the plane and when out exploring. Enough to fit a cardigan and drink bottle, plus the other 'essentials' which are good to have on hand when you head out for a day of uncertain activity in a new location. Time to to confess I am hopless at travelling light.

 

This project was the third bag I have made from a Japanese sewing Pattern Book I bought in Tokyo in 2019. So good to actually use sewing related materials, fabric and patterns.

I know from past experience the check the scale, most things Japanese are smaller than a Kiwi girl might expect!

 

Fabric was a mix of stash lining combined with some inexpensive heavier fabric from our local emporium. The straps came from Miss Maude.

There was some learning in the making of this bag. Slightly awkward to sew but actually my faithful Bernina 900 handled it OK. It is still good to stop and check proportions along the way. The dome closure straps were miles too long, and I was modifiying these the night before a trip. The corflute I used in the base was too thick which meant the bag was not comfortable on the back. This was easier to remedy than I thought, and a slimmer weight piece of plastic folder worked well. 

After a week long trip overseas the size was OK, except the side pocket for a drink bottle is too small for my typical sized bottle. The 4cm straps were a little to wide to comfortable hold when carrying by hand - so I sewed these together at a friend's suggestion. Main issue though was a zip would be better across the top. July 2025 I have a trip booked, enough time to make another version.