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Cute Coastal Bucket-Style Wet Bag (June 2024), designed by Don Morin. Photography: Kelsey Wolfe Photography.
Ready to hit the road this summer? If you’re already switching over to vacation mode, you’ve got to check out these sewn bags and organizers that will make packing and traveling for your summer adventures a total breeze. We’ve gathered up our favorite travel-friendly bags in every size imaginable, from crossbody bags that can hold your necessities when you’re on the go at an amusement park to a roomy duffle for your weekend getaway. Our editors have also included some small but mighty helpful organizer patterns, including custom luggage tags and reusable snack bags. Vacation prep can feel overwhelming, so let us help you start your organization early with these travel-friendly sewing projects. Want to keep this article handy while you begin planning your summer vacation? Be sure to save it to your Favorites!
Travel-Friendly Bag Patterns
- Daisy Zippered Crossbody Bag Pattern (September 2024) – If you’re like me, you can’t stand lugging around a heavy purse when you’re trying to run errands, let alone when you’re traveling. Designed by Debbie von Grabler-Crozier, this crossbody bag pattern is made with canvas in a fun summery print and is large enough to hold your wallet, phone, and sunglasses. We love the handy outside pocket, as well as the adjustable strap in a coordinating color.
Daisy Zippered Crossbody Bag Pattern (September 2024), designed by Debbie von Grabler-Crozier. Photography: Ashley Jones
- Gemma Velvet Doctor’s Bag Pattern (January 2027) – Dressing up doesn’t end at your clothing! Design a stand-out doctor’s bag with this luggage sewing pattern from Sophie Tarrant. A dreamy way to highlight luxe fabrics and unique prints, this large overnight bag would be a fabulous way to carry your special occasion clothing for a long wedding weekend.
Gemma Velvet Doctor’s Bag Pattern (January 2027), designed by Sophie Tarrant. Photography: Kelsey Wolfe Photography
- Weekend Wanderings Duffle Bag (May 2023) – Everyone needs this stylish and simple duffle bag! Designed by Don Morin, this duffle bag pattern features a detachable shoulder strap, mesh interior pockets, and exterior pockets for your necessities. This sewing project would be perfect for weekend trips and is made in soft, water-repellent canvas and has leather corner guards to protect your belongings.
Weekend Wanderings Duffle Bag (May 2023), designed by Don Morin. Photography: Ashlee Cole Photography
- Summertime Stroll Eco Bottle Bag (July 2022) – For those who love trips that involve lots of walking or hiking, be sure to check out this water bottle bag pattern from Janice Bailor. Designed for intermediate sewists, this small bag pattern features a lobster clasp to hold your keys and is made to fit a standard water bottle. Keep hydrated on your walks on the beach or on your sunny hikes with this smart sewing project.
Summertime Stroll Eco Bottle Bag (July 2022), designed by Janice Bailor. Photography: Ashlee Cole Photography
- Blushing Pink Crossbody Sling Bag Pattern (June 2024) – Our editors are obsessed with this sporty crossbody bag from Don Morin. Made in soft pink, this sling bag pattern features an adjustable strap and is super roomy, so it can easily hold everything you need. Finish your bag with hardware in a sharp, contrasting black to give this sewing pattern a sleek look.
Blushing Pink Crossbody Sling Bag Pattern (June 2024), designed by Don Morin. Photography: Kelsey Wolfe Photography
Organizer Sewing Patterns
- Stitch ‘n’ Store Quilted Earbud Case (November 2024) – Tired of dealing with tangled headphones or missing earbuds? Keep them safely stored during your travels with this sweet earbud case from Claudia Nicholson. Ideal for small fabric scraps, this small sewn organizer features a sturdy zipper closure and is a quick and easy project for beginner quilters.
Stitch ‘n’ Store Quilted Earbud Case (November 2024), designed by Claudia Nicholson. Photography: MJG Photography
- Snack Time Reusable Sandwich Bags (June 2023) – Road trips, especially with little ones, can be messy, so keep your car tidier with these reusable snack bags. Designed by Meg Healy, these reusable sandwich bags are lined with easy-to-clean vinyl and feature a Velcro closure. Ditch the disposable plastic and sew your own small snack bags with this easy sewing project.
Snack Time Reusable Sandwich Bags (June 2023), designed by Meg Healy. Photography: Ashlee Cole Photography
- Day-Tripper Travel Neck Pillow Bag (April 2022) – A travel bag and travel pillow in one project! This pattern from Alice Tang first appeared in our April 2022 issue and can be filled with scrap fabric or a small sweater to use as a travel pillow and then easily emptied to be used as a bag. Featuring a zipper closure and ribbon straps, this unique sewing idea would be perfect for quick flights or summer road trips.
Day-Tripper Travel Neck Pillow Bag (April 2022), designed by Alice Tang. Photography: Ashlee Cole Photography
- Adventure Awaits Luggage Tag Pattern (May 2025) – Make your luggage more easily identifiable on the luggage carousel with some cute, custom luggage tags. These fat-quarter friendly luggage tags from Mallory Hill have a printable PDF pattern and a vinyl pocket for your personal information. Select some bright, summery prints and finish your luggage tags with sturdy leather cording.
Adventure Awaits Luggage Tag Pattern (May 2025), designed by Mallory Hill. Photography: Kelsey Wolfe Photography
- Bon Voyage Mini Travel Bag (June 2023) – Raise your hand if you find it hard to keep your makeup, toiletries, and hair accessories organized while you travel. This project from Debbie von Grabler-Crozier is the solution to your organizing nightmare. Made from sturdy canvas, this mini travel bag pattern not only holds your beauty and hair products, but it’s a great project for beginner sewists to expand their skillset.
Bon Voyage Mini Travel Bag (June 2023), designed by Debbie von Grabler-Crozier. Photography: Ashlee Cole Photography
- Leisurely Scroll Quilted iPad Cover Pattern (December 2023) – Keep your iPad safe from scratches with this easy cover from Ann Butler. A lovely gift idea, this tablet cover pattern takes only a few hours to make and is lightweight and secured with Velcro. Store your iPad away securely on long car and train rides or in your carry-on with this sewn organizer.
Leisurely Scroll Quilted iPad Cover Pattern (December 2023), designed by Ann Butler. Photography: Ashlee Cole Photography
- Cute Coastal Bucket-Style Wet Bag (June 2024) – Wrapping up a day at the beach can quickly turn into a mess, which is why you’ll love this large wet bag pattern from Don Morin. Bring your beach essentials in this bucket-style wet bag that’s made with water-resistant fabric and store your sunscreen and sunglasses in its outer storage compartments. Wet bathing suits and beach towels are easily stored inside its central compartment, making cleaning up incredibly easy.
Cute Coastal Bucket-Style Wet Bag (June 2024), designed by Don Morin. Photography: Kelsey Wolfe Photography
We hope you’ve enjoyed our round-up of classic summer bags and helpful travel organizers. We know just how stressful traveling can be, and these sewing projects will keep you organized on your adventures. What types of round-up articles would you like to read? We’d love to hear from you below in the comments!