I am completely hooked on these Cargo Duffle Bags. Anna of Noodlehead designed this bag for Robert Kaufman. You can find the free pattern download on their site.
I’ve been too scared to try a bag for a long time now. I’ve had this pattern downloaded for over a year and finally worked up the courage to give it a try. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make! I’ve been reading on other peoples sites that they don’t recommend this for a beginner or even a first time bag maker.
I’m not sure I agree with that as this was my first bag. There were a few places that I didn’t understand but a quick google search will bring up someone’s tutorial who explained in more detail. And once you make one, the rest go together much quicker. 
I followed the pattern exactly for the first bag (the blue plus one) and then had more confidence to make modifications to the second one.
- I widened my bag to 9 inches.
- I added a bunch of pockets.
- I added a lining.
- I also gave the bags more structure by using this instead of quilt batting.
I followed Skirt as a Top’s Cargo Duffle Lining tutorial to make the lining. Her instructions have you sewing the lining in after you complete the bag. I took this one step further and sewed the lining right into the bag construction so there is no sagging! There’s a video tutorial showing you how to do this at the bottom of this post. 
These side pockets took some to time figure out but were worth the extra effort. I love the added organization they provide and since these bags are for traveling they will really come in handy as a place to add plane tickets or to stash your phone or things you need to get to quickly.
I also added a zipper pocket to the back of my Cargo Duffle. I really love the colorful detail it adds along with the practicality of having yet another pocket.
And of course I added pockets to the lining also.
I love the detail the gold metal zipper adds. I used this one.
Click on the video tutorial below to see how I added the lining into the bag’s construction. This screen shot shows you the final result. I hope that helps you guys make this awesome bag even prettier 🙂
Here are my tips for successfully creating your own bag:
- Use this instead of Batting
- Use a larger needle!!
- Add the pocket snaps before you sew them onto the front panel
- Make sure your zipper has a stopper at the end like this one.
Supplies used:
Art Gallery Solids fabrics
Yarn Dyed Essex Linen by Robert Kaufman
Coats and Clarks 26inch Zipper
Soft and Stable by Annie
Aurifil Thread
Size 16 Schmetz needle
Wonder Clips– Couldn’t make a bag without these!
Your video is great! Thank you! You did an awesome job!
Beautiful bag. Thanks for the video about the lining.
Thanks for the fabulous tutorial! Seems like a very reasonable way to sew the lining in. You’re great at making instructional videos!
Emily awesome bags one of these days I’m going to try one. I’ve been making quilts so much fun. Love all the fun fabrics! Hugs Auntie Linda
Thanks Linda! I’ve heard you have been quilting! I would love to see them sometime. 🙂
Great video tutorial! I am making a bag for my mom for Mother’s Day I will definitely follow your tutorial for the lining. Do you happen to have a tutorial for the gusset pockets? Those look very useful. Thanks again for your tutorial.
Any pointers for putting in the side pockets you added to the exterior?
Unfortunately I did not take enough photos during that part for any of the bags 🙁 I’ll for sure do that if I make another.
Thanks for the great tutorial! I too have had that bag pattern for a while but hesitated to make it because it didn’t have enough pockets or a lining but you solved both those issues so now I have no more excuses! I especially love the way you attached the lining so it wouldn’t sag, genius idea! By the way I also appreciate h how you designed that star wars bag for your son, bet he loves it! Guys get such short shrift in the sewing world, I have three of my own and its challenging to find ideas for them that are really useful as well as good looking, so you scored on both counts!
Thanks Lori! Go for it! It’s fun to make the modifications too 🙂
Thanks very much for the tutorial. Even though I had already sewn the outside of the bag together before I found your tutorial, I was able to use to sew in my lining. I appreciate your time and effort in putting this tutorial together.
So glad you found it helpful! 🙂
Thank you so much Emily! This tutorial makes a complex idea simple! I especially appreciate how you have customized your bags with extra pockets and zippers, and colorful bindings. I’m inspired. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for this! It’s not that often that you see complicated tutorials that are SOOO thorough. I love how clearly you demonstrated each step with adequate visuals! Thank you so much!
I love how your bag turned out! The colors are beautiful! How did you add the side pocket on the outside? I’d love to add one when I make mine.
So I’ve made several of these bags and vowed to share instructions on those side pockets each time but it hasn’t happened 🙁 I’m sure I’m not doing it properly and pretty much hacking them in.
Hey Emily,
I would love to see how you constructed the side pockets. I can’t see how you would be doing it improperly–they look great! If you ever reconsider and decide to put a tutorial up on how to do these pockets, I’d be super appreciative. I’m almost done my first bag and am wanting to add the pockets before I sew all the pieces together.
Thanks,
Lorien
I would love to know as well!! I’ve been trying to stop your video at certain points to see how you did it, so would love an actual tutorial.
I would love to see you add a video to your youtube channel of you creating the whole bag! I’m a visual learner. 🙂
Hi, I love your duffle bag with extra pockets and zippers! I’m amazingly inspired!! I look at the pattern PDF and am wondering if you used a walking foot? Is it necessary?
A walking foot helps immensely! It really helps tackle all of those layers.
Thank-you for showing your modifications and making this wonderful video! I was wondering, how would I make the pockets where the zipper/bottom gusset is? Thank-you!
Have/will you done a blog showing how todo the side pockets!? Please
Thanks for the great tutorial. It really helped me line my bag! For those asking about the side pockets, I cut the same measurements for canvas and batting, but cut my bottom gusset cotton longer at 44.5 in. I centered the canvas and batting on this, wrapped the excess cotton around to the WS of the bottom gusset and quilted. This became the Bottom of the bag and outer flaps of the side pocket. I also cut 2 x 9.5 by 7 in pieces in the same bottom fabric to sew to the zipper gusset pieces to make the inside of the side pockets. When you make your gusset “tube”, line up the outer pocket pieces with the base of the zipper and proceed as normal. Just sew across the bottom of the side pocket to seal. I’m definitely not an advanced seamstress, and I don’t know if this is the best way to proceed, but it worked for me!