Quilted Weekender Bag

Weekender bag

I made a quilt-as-you-go version of Amy Butler’s Weekender bag. Here are my notes.

I think that one of the most popular quilted versions of the Amy Butler Weekender Bag is the one by Oh, Fransson. Like Oh, Fransson, I used cotton duck (from my stash) and lots of long scraps of batting leftover from the edges of quilts.

Weekender bag

Materials and construction
I bought my pattern locally at Stone Mountain and Daughter. The zipper is a #5 36″ separating zipper in buttercup from Zipperstop’s Etsy shop. The purse feet were purchased locally at Laci’s but if I had to do it again, I would check out Jo-Ann’s. I bought the biggest ones they had at Laci’s, but I think there was one slightly bigger made by Clover and Nancy Zieman. I recommend getting 6 feet. I tried to use only material from my stash. The outside is obviously scrappy patchwork and the inside was cotton ticking that I bought as a remnant a while ago. I used iron-in interfacing on the pocket panels, and 1 layer of Peltex in the bottom.
All parts were sewn using my Singer 201. I used the walking foot for the quilting, and cording foot to make the piping. The Singer 201 has tons of power, but I still had to go slow at the end when I was sewing through all of the layers of fabric.

Weekender bag

Modifications

  • I made my handles longer. They extend approximately 16 inches from the top of the bag which is perfect for going over my shoulder. I also used about 4 thicknesses of fabric and some interfacing to support the handles.
  • I added an interior zippered pocket. I didn’t go crazy with the inside pockets since I think it would just make the lining sag.
  • I used a lovely piece of laser-cut bamboo for the bottom of the bag. I didn’t enclose it in anything should I choose to remove it. Plus it looks nice just like it is. If you want one, you can order one from my Ponoko shop, and I can send it to you in about 2 weeks.
    Weekender bag
  • More references

  • I like the quilt as you go tutorial at Stitched in Color – maybe because I like the fabrics that she used.
  • Flickr’s Amy Butler Weekender Bag support group
  • Pinterest boards full of nice pics and helpful links
  • The icing on the cake was the discovery that this bag makes the perfect carrying case for my singer 301.

    Weekender bag

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