• About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Teaching
    • Member/Student Login
    • Online Programs
  • Shop
  • Member/Student Login
  • Blog
    • Free Quilt Patterns – Scrappy Whirligig Quilt

Bryan House Quilts

Duffle bag finish

Uncategorized

20 Feb
A few weeks ago on instagram (meanwhile, on instagram…) my friend Tammy posted this pic
and I instantly had duffle bags to make for my mother and me to take on our upcoming Spring Break trip. Yah! I mean we are taking all four kids to the beach, we can get a treat too right?! 
Taking to google I discovered three of my favorite bloggers had already made this bag. 
Jeni, Rachel and Jacey each have posted a write up about the pattern (Simplicity 2274). 
Simlarly to the bags these ladies made, I choose to go with a linen blend, namely two Melody Miller prints. I used Ruby Star Spring 2012, Starlet in Aspic for the body and Ruby Star Shining, Coffeepots in Fushia for the handle straps, side pocket and side and zipper tabs. (How cute are zipper tabs by the way?) I was super excited to find an affordable linen look muslin at Joann’s for the interior.  

This pattern goes together fairly easily. It seemed the biggest chunks of time were spent cutting out and marking all the pieces and preparing the jute webbing (it does bleed a lot, so take care to wash wash wash it). 

On one side of the bag, I centered this lovely silhouette between the straps. 

On the other side for the pocket, I fussy cut another silhouette, but this time taking care to feature too the bunch of pretty flowers. 
Here, you can see the pocket rockin’ the cell phone

I’m extremely pleased with this bag. It is floppy when unstuffed, which is a bit of a bummer, so I think I will add a false bottom. And if I were to make it again for myself I would add a stiff interfacing to the side panels to give it more body. 
I’m especially happy I can pack this baby off to QuiltCon in a few days! 
Happy Wednesday everyone! 
Previous Post: « Contemplating a quilt
Next Post: Instagram love »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Taryn says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    I am so in love with this bag! Great fabric choice!

  2. smazoochie says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:17 pm

    You Bag Ladies (no slur intended) make me ashamed of myself! I'm so afraid of things like that. I guess I should just take the plunge.
    You've done a beautiful job!

    • LilBirdie Sews says

      March 21, 2013 at 4:46 am

      I'm taking the plunge! If anybody else does, please share your results! I'd love to see some videos on creating this duffel bag.

  3. Kelly says

    February 20, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    It is fabulous! I am half way through with an Echino version 🙂

    • LilBirdie Sews says

      March 21, 2013 at 4:47 am

      Care to share your results via Flickr or youtube?

  4. Heidi Staples says

    February 20, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    This is absolutely adorable! I just love your fabric choices, Becca!

  5. Karamat says

    February 21, 2013 at 1:19 am

    Love your bag!! I'm looking forward to making mine.

  6. Lauren says

    February 21, 2013 at 3:07 am

    Cute!

  7. ayumills says

    February 21, 2013 at 10:27 am

    I love this bag so much!! It will sure make your trip very special!

  8. Toni says

    February 22, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    I love it! And those straps look really sturdy. Have fun on your trip!!

  9. LilBirdie Sews says

    March 21, 2013 at 4:50 am

    I would love to see some other results for this bag if anyone else has made it!!! Please list your links to your designs, I'm in the process of making mine now. Will post results on my blog, lilbirdiesews.blogspot.com.

  10. Cyndi says

    September 26, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Thanks for sharing. I have this pattern and want to make it but my fabric of choice is directional, can you give instructions on how to cut the body?
    Thanks!

    • rebeccabryan says

      September 26, 2016 at 10:35 am

      If I remember correctly, you might have to do a work around. Is the pattern one directional or 2 directional?

      Mine was 1 directional, so I had to cut it half and turn one half so it would be right side up when finished. If you do that, you have to add a seam allowance.

Primary Sidebar

New 2026 Block of the Month!

Graphic of Alchemy Quilt

Join the 2026 Block of the Month Program

Get my Modern Triangles Quilt Book

Get my Modern Rainbow Quilts Book

Image shows cover of the book "Modern Rainbow Quilts"

Make the Solstice Quilt!

Solstice Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Get Your Invite!

Make Modern Triangles Logo

Make the Sparkler Quilt!

Image Shows Sparkler Quilt Top by Rebecca Bryan

Make the Echo (Echo!) Quilt

Echo BOM now open to join

Make the Wildflower Quilt!

Wildflower Block of the Month by Bryan House Quilts

Make the Stargazer Quilt!

Anne's Stargazer BOM

Make the Rainbow Triangles Quilt!

Rainbow Triangle BOM, modern triangle quilt, Rebecca Bryan

About

Hey there! I’m Rebecca, an author and teacher and freezer paper piecing evangelist. I’m also the founder of the Make Modern Triangles Quilt Club.

Disclosure

Just so you know, my site includes affiliate links from which I (it’s me! Rebecca!) receive payment or compensation. Something to consider as you peruse my website. Thanks!

Latest on Instagram

Comment ‘ALCHEMY’ if you want to enjoy ALL phases Comment ‘ALCHEMY’ if you want to enjoy ALL phases of the quilting journey and make this beautiful quilt alongside a supportive community that is all learning, growing, and sewing together! ✨

We just started the Alchemy this month, but you can join and start your own anytime! 💕

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨ Walk i Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨

Walk into the sewing room, shut the door behind me, and suddenly all other problems disappear. 

A feeling we all know too well. 🙌

What are you sewing right now? Let me know in the comments! 💕

#quilthumor #quilterslife #quiltteacher #modernquilter
Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep read Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep reading for tip number four... 👇

Always print your templates at 100% scale.

Before cutting your fabric, measure the 1-inch test box on your template.

Even being slightly off can affect the accuracy of your blocks later on and lead to some BIG oopsies. 😅

This is one of those tiny steps that saves a LOT of frustration later... Speaking from experience, and more re-done blocks than I could ever count! 

Follow along @bryanhousequilts for more freezer paper piecing tips that will make your quilting life easier and more enjoyable along the way. 💕
Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my fr Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my free class where I’ll teach you the life-changing technique that made me fall in love with quilting. 💕 

You’ll even leave with a free modern triangle block pattern to start sewing on your own! 🪡

Drop ‘FREE’ below and start the new creative hobby you’ve been dreaming about. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
1️⃣ Make a test block. I know it’s tempting to s 1️⃣ Make a test block. 

I know it’s tempting to skip this step... I cannot tell you how many times I have skipped making a test block and ended up regretting it later. If I had just made the test block, it would have saved me HOURS and HOURS of seam ripping and re-sewing, so take my advice and just always make the test block! 

I have never regretted making a test block, but I have regretted not making one. 😅

2️⃣ Celebrate the ta-da moments.

I’m not talking about just the finished quilt. I mean EVERY moment along the journey that feels like a win. Picking your colors and fabrics, sewing that first block, the points that line up, arranging blocks onto the design wall... Celebrate as much as you can along the way. 

I think too many quilters rush past these moments because they’re just focused on the finish line, but quilting isn’t one big “ta-da!” It’s a bunch of little “ta-da” moments stitched together.

3️⃣ Learn the freezer paper piecing technique.

I’m not kidding when I say it completely changed my quilty life... The more I quilt, the more I realize that frustration doesn’t make a quilt more valuable. Struggling doesn’t make you a better quilter. A good process gives you more confidence, helps you enjoy the sewing, and frees up a lot of your time to keep quilting. It makes you want to come back tomorrow and sew another block! 

Quilting is meant to be enjoyed and there’s so much to learn along the way. These three things have been HUGE along my quilting journey, and I know they can make an impact on yours too. 

What’s one thing that has completely changed your quilting journey? Share in the comments. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
When I say I’ve tried it all, and quilting was the When I say I’ve tried it all, and quilting was the only thing that stuck, I MEAN IT! 😅

👉 Tried gardening, and all the plants would die before I got around to them. 
👉 Tried crochet, and discovered I can’t count that high (or just don’t want to!)
👉 Tried making kids’ clothes, and they always grew out of them before I could finish. 

But quilting? THAT’S my bread and butter. 

It was my mom who got me into quilting many years ago, and I’ve even been teaching quilting for over a decade. 

I’ve built a community of thousands of quilters from all over, at all ages and all skill levels. 

And the most important part of what we do is have FUN. 🙌

Comment ‘FREE’ if you want to learn and have some fun along the way, i’ll send you to my free class to get started. 💌

#modernquilting #quiltingtechnique #quiltpattern #quiltdesign #quiltersofig
Follow on Instagram

Browse by Category

Archives

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • email
Comment ‘ALCHEMY’ if you want to enjoy ALL phases Comment ‘ALCHEMY’ if you want to enjoy ALL phases of the quilting journey and make this beautiful quilt alongside a supportive community that is all learning, growing, and sewing together! ✨

We just started the Alchemy this month, but you can join and start your own anytime! 💕

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨ Walk i Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨

Walk into the sewing room, shut the door behind me, and suddenly all other problems disappear. 

A feeling we all know too well. 🙌

What are you sewing right now? Let me know in the comments! 💕

#quilthumor #quilterslife #quiltteacher #modernquilter
Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep read Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep reading for tip number four... 👇

Always print your templates at 100% scale.

Before cutting your fabric, measure the 1-inch test box on your template.

Even being slightly off can affect the accuracy of your blocks later on and lead to some BIG oopsies. 😅

This is one of those tiny steps that saves a LOT of frustration later... Speaking from experience, and more re-done blocks than I could ever count! 

Follow along @bryanhousequilts for more freezer paper piecing tips that will make your quilting life easier and more enjoyable along the way. 💕
Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my fr Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my free class where I’ll teach you the life-changing technique that made me fall in love with quilting. 💕 

You’ll even leave with a free modern triangle block pattern to start sewing on your own! 🪡

Drop ‘FREE’ below and start the new creative hobby you’ve been dreaming about. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Follow on Instagram
© 2026 Bryan House Quilts