the Derby Girl duffel

One of my oldest friends is a mad keen (or just plain mad) roller derby player. Her birthday is right after the festive season - today in fact - and back in November I spotted the most awesome "Derby Girls Rock" fabric on Spoonflower. I hadn't a clue what to do with it, I just knew it was perfect for her. In fact, right up til last week I didn't know what to do with it. I had a germ of an idea for some kind of bag but nothing was quite right. Zippy pouches are too small (even the big 'uns), the Amy Butler weekender was too big (thanks Laura for measuring yours!) and all the bigger-than-a-handbag patterns were too.....luggage-y. Then I stumbled upon a pattern for a duffel bag. It wasn't awfully good being all full of raw edges inside but I reckoned I could improve on it and add piping and stuff. Which I did.

It's cool, right?

The lining is nifty crowns (derby queen!) and I sandwiched compressed wadding inbetween layers to give it some shape without it going crispy with interfacing. I think I'd add an inside pocket if I was doing it again (which will never happen) but was juggling so many other mental alterations that my brain may have imploded figuring out the placement.

The webbing for the handles is from Seamstar but I didn't buy enough (doh!) so matched a locally-bought cotton up to where the handles aren't stitched. I actually prefer it like this so it was a happy accident! I had to make the damn piping, too, coz I couldn't get the width I wanted pre-made. *le sigh* How cool is that fabric, though?!

Friend was suitable delighted which is always incredibly gratifying and has left me bathing in the warm fuzzies. It got packed up and headed out the door with her to skate tonight! Always a rousing endorsement when people use the stuff you make!!