Tutorial - the bowling bag

Leaving for the weekend? A trip? Back to doing sports? Don't leave without your bag... I present to you my version of the famous bowling bag! Also called "weekend bag", it has a rounded shape with two handles and a zipper. Very practical for storing your clothes, sports gear, sewing equipment,... Here are two versions, small or large format:

Material

bowling bag - XL format :

• 1 fabric cloth of 45x88cm for the exterior
• 2 fabric cloths with a diameter of 28cm for the exterior sides
• 2 fabric cloths of 16x75cm for the pocket

• 1 fabric cloth of 48x88cm for the interior
• 2 fabric cloths with a diameter of 28cm for the interior sides

• 1 zipper of 45cm
• 2,60m of strap

bowling bag - small format :

• 1 fabric cloth of 35x72cm for the exterior
• 2 fabric cloths with a diameter of 23cm for the exterior sides
• 2 fabric cloths of 16x46cm for the pocket

• 1 fabric cloth of 35x72cm for the interior
• 2 fabric cloths with a diameter of 23cm for the interior sides

• 1 zipper of 35cm
• 2,10m of strap

Choose a quite solid fabric terials. I chose an upholstery cotton fabric from the exclusieve collection By Léa.

Diagram

Step 1 : the pocket and the strap

Make the pocket: overlap the two pieces of fabric right sides together and sew a straight stitch around the edge, leaving a space of 10cm to turn it over. Turn over, close and place the pocket in the center of the fabric for the exterior as shown in the diagram above.

Take the strap and sew it so that it forms a loop. Fix it on the fabric for the exterior and the pocket with a space of 13cm to pass the arm easily (diagram). Sew the strap around the edge, leaving 5 cm open at the top. Make a small reinforcement to make your bag strong.

Step 2 : Place the zipper

For more aesthetics, make and sew two small tabs on either side of the zipper. Apply the zipper starting with the fabric for exterior. 

And then do the same with the lining fabric. Don't forget to use your zip presser foot on your sewing machine ;-)

You have now the following :

Step 3 : assemble the bag

Warning: before starting this step, make sure your zipper is open. Sew the circles on the body of the bag starting with the exterior (right sides together) and then the lining (right sides together). It is necessary to pin the circles well before sewing them in order to adjust them as well as possible. Do not forget to leave a small opening on the lining to turn your bag. 

Turn your bag and close the opening before placing the lining inside the bag.

Congratulations, your bowling bag is ready !

See you soon,