Weekend Duffle Bag for the College Girl

 After my daughter saw my recent Cargo Duffle, she put in a request for a duffle bag she could use when she comes home from college for the weekend.  She goes to school close by and will come home for quick one or two-night visit, so doesn't need a huge bag.  And.....though I LOVE my Cargo Duffle, it was quite a project.  

I spent a long time on Etsy looking for a pattern that would be a little less time consuming but still check all the boxes.  This pattern from PNCouture ended up being perfect!  (Pattern is on sale until end of January 2026 - I am not receiving any compensation for promoting this pattern)

The bag came together shockingly quickly and the result is really great.  No exposed seams to bind and it is fully lined.  If you are a beginner sewist, this one might be a little tricky but the shop owner is very responsive and willing to help if needed. 

My daughter's favorite feature is the cute zipper pull.  It's a fun little touch that really makes the bag extra special.  

The finished bag dimensions were spot on to the pattern listing at 17 inches wide, 9 inches deep and 10 inches tall.  I made a matching toiletries bag using my free Boxed Zip Pouch Pattern.  I've been lining my zip pouches with this great lightweight water resistant canvas from Sullivans Trim.  

And just to make sure we're keeping things real, here's Zoe the almost 6 year old puppy needing to get in on the action and check things out.  She approves.

I'll be sending my girl back to school later this week (once we dig ourselves out of nearly 2 feet of snow) and hoping to see her back soon with her new bag.

Happy sewing.

Boxed Pouch FREE Sewing Pattern

After making my version of the Cargo Duffle, I really wanted to make a matching boxed travel pouch.  For some reason, in all my years of sewing I've never made one and I had no idea what a journey it would be conquering this make.  This is how my first try came out!  My brain just couldn't fully comprehend the construction.  

I finally was able to find a tutorial that made sense to me and then tried to optimize the size for what I wanted.  I used a online calculator tool from Sarah Kirsten but her assembly method is a little different so these weren't exactly the size I was looking for.  Though it was super fun pulling out this old Amy Butler (I think?) fabric.  

So, after much trial and error, I was able to make the size I wanted.  I made a couple of these for friends for holiday gifts, but still wasn't totally satisfied.  The interior "wings" were just really bothering me and I felt like there had to be a way to put this bag together without having exposed seams, wings or needing to use bias tape. 

Honestly, I got really stuck on this one.  I spent a lot of time and made A LOT of pouches.  But, the good news is I feel like I really optimized the construction and have put it all together in a FREE tutorial!  The tutorial has dimensions for 3 sizes of pouches and walks you through the assembly, including a video (my first one ever!) showing how to box the corners.  The method is the same for all 3 sizes which includes a small pouch, standard size pouch and a pouch sized for hair tools. 

Download FREE PDF Pattern

 I would love to know what you think of the pattern.  Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @Zaaberry.

Introducing the Picnic Tote - new PDF pattern

I put this pattern together over the summer and had every intention of listing in my Etsy shop before the Fall.  Gad school and life in general got in the way and here it is nearly 6 months later and I'm just getting back to it.  

I had that "I can make that" moment when grocery shopping and was enticed to buy a bunch of mini-totes at my favorite grocery store.

The mini totes are my go to for bringing snacks to the kids' cross country meets, book club, or just running errands. 

The pattern has instructions for 2 sizes.  You can do the handles with fabric or with a pretty one and a half inch webbing making it an even quicker sew.  

Easy download in my SHOP.

Hope you'll check it out and tell me what you think.

Tag me on IG if you make and share //  @zaaberry