Bag Size: 9” x 6” x 3”

Designed and made by Heidi Pridemore

Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner

Sewing a travel bag can be a fun and rewarding project, especially when you use quality materials like Camelot Fabrics' FoamPro from their Behind the Seam product line. This foam interfacing is a game-changer, adding the perfect amount of body and shape to your bag, making it durable and stylish. To start, cut your fabric pieces and the FoamPro to size, layering them to create a sturdy yet flexible bag structure. The FoamPro not only helps the bag maintain its form, even after frequent use, but also makes sewing through multiple layers easier. With these techniques, you'll create a travel bag that's both functional and chic, ready for your next adventure!

Supplies Needed:

You will also need:

• 1/3 yard of 
• 12” Matching Zipper
• Wash-out Glue Stick
• Basic Sewing Supplies
• Matching Threads
• Wonder Clips
• Fraxion Pen
• Quarter Inch Foot
• Zipper Foot
• Optional-Top Stitch Foot

Cutting The Pieces 

Mixology Herringbone-White            2144-0001                  

• Cut (1) 6 ½” strip. Sub-cut (6) 2 ½” x 6 ½” strips.

Mixology Dots-Crimson                     21005-0096                

• Cut (1) 6 ½” strip. Sub-cut (6) 2 ½” x 6 ½” strips and (2) 1 ½” x 2 ½” strips

Fresh Solids-Black                             214-0002

• Cut (1) 3 ½” strip. Sub-cut (2) 3 ½” x 12 ½” strips.

Fresh Solids-White                             214-0001                    

• Cut (1) 9 ½” strip. Sub-cut (2) 9 ½” x 12 ½” strips.

FoamPro S                                                     

• Cut (1) 9 ½” strip. Sub-cut (2) 9 ½” x 12 ½” strips.

Assembly Instructions

1. Sew together (3) 2 ½” x 6 ½” Fabric A strips and (3) 2 ½” x 6 ½” Fabric B strips, alternating them to make (1) 6 ½” x 12 ½” Unit 1 strip. Repeat to make a second Unit 1 strip.
   
   
2. Sew (1) 3 ½” x 12 ½” Fabric C strip to the bottom of each Unit 1 strip. Make sure that the Fabric A strip is on the left side of Unit 1 to make (1) Outer Back side. Repeat to make a second Outer Bag Side.
   
   
3. Following the manufacturer's instructions to press (1) 9 ½” x 12 ½” FoamPro S piece to the wrong side of each Outer Bag side pieces. 
   
   
4. To make the Zipper Tabs, fold (1) 1 ½” x 2 ½” Fabric B strip in half widthwise. Fold in each short end ¼” and press to make (1) Zipper Tab. Repeat to make a second Zipper Tab. 
   
   
5. Slide one short end of the zipper all the way into the fold of (1) Zipper Tab. Fold the Zipper Tab over the zipper and topstitch in place. 
   
   
6. Before adding the second Zipper Tab, align the zipper with Zipper Tab along the long side of (1) 9 ½” x 12 ½” Outer Bag piece. Mark the end of the zipper that does not have a Zipper Tab, even with the Outer Bag piece. Make sure the Zipper Head is pulled to the middle of the zipper and trim the end of the zipper even with the bag edge. 
   
   
7. Repeat Step 5 with the trimmed end of the Zipper and the remaining Zipper Tab.
   
   
8. Trim each Zipper Tab even with the zipper to complete the Zipper Unit. 
   
   
9. Place (1) 9 ½” x 12 ½” Fabric A strip on a flat surface, right side up. Align the long edge with the top edge of the zipper, with both pieces, right side up. Use a washout glue stick to glue the wrong side of the zipper top edge to the long edge of the Fabric A strip. 
   
   
10. Place (1) Outer Bag piece, right side down on the zipper, with the Fabric Stripe edge at the top. Use washout glue to glue the Outer Bag piece to the other side of the zipper.
    
    
11. Using a zipper foot, sew the three layers together. Flip the sewn unit, right side out to expose the other side of the zipper. 
    
    
12. Press the three layers flat. Top stitch the layers together along the zipper edge.
    
    
13. Place the second 9 ½” x 12 ½” Fabric A strip on a flat surface, right side up. Place the other side of the zipper on sewn unit, right side up, on top of the Fabric A piece right side up, aligning the top edges.
14. Place the second Outer Bag piece, right side down and glue in place.
15. Using a zipper foot, sew the three layers together.
    
    
16. Flip the sewn unit right side out and press. Top stitch through all the layers on the second side to finish the edge next to the zipper. 
    
    
    
17. Unzip the zipper halfway to create an opening for turning. 
    
    
18. Flip the two outer bag sides, right side together and the Fabric B pieces right sides together, aligning the edges on both halves and clip together using Wonder Clips.
    
    
19. Stitch around the clipped pieces, leaving a 3" to 4" opening on the Fabric B side for turning.
    
    
    
20. To make the box bottom, at each corner, measure in from the side edge 1 ½” and up from the bottom edge, 1 ½” and draw a square. 
    
    
21. Cut out the square of fabric.
    
    
    Repeat with the remaining three corners.
    
    
22. Open the cut corner and align the bottom seam with the side seam and sew the two edges together.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
23. Repeat Step 22 with the remaining three corners. 
    
    
24. Turn the zipper pouch right side out through the opening in the Fabric B side and through the open zipper. 
    
    
    
25. Press and stitch the opening in the lining closed
    
    
    
    Push the Fabric B side into the zipper pouch to complete the Zipper Bag. 
    
    

In conclusion, sewing a travel bag with Camelot Fabrics' FoamPro is a great way to combine practicality with style. The foam interfacing ensures durability and shape, making the process smooth and the result impressive. With the right materials and steps, you'll have a travel bag that’s perfect for any journey!