Cargo Duffle, done.

I've had my eye on Anna Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle pattern for a while.  It's a free download from the Robert Kaufman website.

A week or two ago I was feeling bogged down with deadlines and requests and work and and and....

So I did what any good quilter does, I started something new!  I just picked it up now and again and sewed a little bit and before I knew it, I had me a finished cargo duffle.

I used a Moda Bella solid, Graphite I think, for the main body, Moda Bella Green for the pockets and inner binding, an Ikea decorator weight cotton print for the lining and a retro fabric I picked up in Australia for the base and handle feature.

The pattern was fairly straight forward, although I'd class it as intermediate.  I appreciated the extra clarifications Anna Noodlehead blogged about recently - they made it clearer about how to attach the binding inside, but it was still my least favourite part of the job.

In fact, the next one I make (because there will be more!) will have a lining in it courtesy of a tutorial written by Kristin at Skirt As Top.

It's sturdy and functional and I love the fabrics I picked.  And my kids admired it so much that I let them pick out fabrics for their own cargo duffles.  Apologies for the photo quality, I was taking it for my records rather than for publishing but I thought I'd show you and let you guess what gender child picked which pile...

Cat - recognise that second fabric down?  O loves it and there's the perfect amount for handle features.

So, if you're looking for an overnight bag or a carry-on bag, why don't you try this pattern?  You can go and see a heap of fabric combinations at the Noodlehead Flikr group.  Have fun!