Retro Travel Bag Video Tutorial series for Bag Making

Today I’m excited to share with you something that I’ve been working on for a long time!  A video sewing tutorial series featuring my Retro Travel Bag! It’s the next best thing to me coming to your home to help you while you sew the pattern. Keep reading to find out a bit more about the project.

Learn how to make this cute weekend travel bag in an online video class! Features Retro Travel Bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson

Several years ago I got the idea to make a Retro-inspired travel bag.  I had seen some cute Pan Am bags in a store and thought they would be great to use as a jumping-off point for a bag pattern.

Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern; Video Classes!

I made the bag and posted it on the Riley Blake website and it totally took off! I had no idea it would do so well. In the years since that first bag tutorial, I’ve gone through and completely re-thought how to construct the bag (all while keeping its initial charm).

I changed the construction enough that I actually took down the tutorial to avoid confusion for anyone who was making the pattern.

Learn how to make this cute weekend travel bag in an online video class! Features Retro Travel Bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson

Last year Riley Blake approached me about teaching an online sewing class and asked if I had any thoughts as to what would make a good project for a video series. I immediately thought of the travel bag.

It’s an intermediate sewing pattern and I understand how it can be intimidating to someone who’s somewhat new to sewing. I mean the bag has LOTS of piping and TWO zippers *gasp*! The video tutorial format seemed perfect for this bag. That way I could walk you through step by step each part of making the bag.

Learn how to make this cute weekend travel bag in an online video class! Features Retro Travel Bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson
Learn how to make this cute weekend travel bag in an online video class! Features Retro Travel Bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson

Where to Get the Sewing Pattern:

To make the bag from the video you do need a Sewing Pattern. You can get a PDF version or a print version of the retro travel bag pattern in the shop. I’ve included links below.

About the Bag Making Video Series:

In the class I share:

-LOADS of sewing tips and tricks for working with piping, zippers, and even laminate fabrics.

-How to make your own piping.

-How to put in an inset zipper

-Design suggestions to help you pick out fabric for your own bag.

-How to attach 3 different types of handles for the bag; fabric, leather, and pre-made bamboo.

-How to work with interfacing. (I also explain why I like to work with each type of interfacing)

-Working with bias tape.

As you can see from the list above, I really tried to think of EVERYTHING you’d want to know while you make your bag.

How to Find Video Tutorials:

All of the videos are on the Riley Blake Designs YouTube page.

You can also find online classes from some of your favorite people on topics from quilting to clothing construction.

About the Bag in the Video:

The bag shown is made using my Wonderland Two fabric line, to find out more about the line CLICK HERE. – The patterns for the mini quilts in the photos above are also available in the shop.

Photos of Completed Retro Travel Bags:

Here are a few other photos of the Retro Travel bag to give you a good idea of how it looks stitched up in different fabrics:

Introducing the Alice Bag Sewing Pattern. A whimsical and versatile purse sewing pattern featuring bunny ears! It can be made in two sizes and features 4 different handle style options including cross body straps!
Cute sewing projects made with Wonderland Two Fabric, lots of quilt ideas, tote bags and gifts to sew
Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern by Melissa Mortenson; makes a cute weekend bag and can be made with leather straps or sewn purse handles. Would be a cute DIY summer travel bag.
Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern by Melissa Mortenson; makes a cute weekend bag and can be made with leather straps or sewn purse handles. Would be a cute DIY summer travel bag.
Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern
Retro Travel Bag Sewing Pattern
Retro Travel Bag Pattern View 2
Learn how to make this cute weekend travel bag in an online video class! Features Retro Travel Bag sewing pattern by Melissa Mortenson

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8 Comments

  1. Melissa, This is great, one of my favorite bags and a class I can take from you. Hope to start tonight as I even have the exterior fabric picked out. One question, does the class include the pattern, I couldn’t tell on the web site. Very excited to get started, Kellie

  2. Melissa,
    Your travel bag made out of the Riley Blake fabric is so cotton pickin’ cute!!!!!!! I really like opening your emails to see what you’ve created. Thanks for the inspiration. Carlotta

  3. Hi Melissa! The FAQ section is not working on the class page at Riley Blake. Maybe that’s why there are no questions yet? I have screen shots of what it says if you’d like them! Is there a way to get the list of items needed for the bag? The retailers ‘kits’ only contain the fabric. I’d love to make it and take your class, but without knowing what all I need to purchase, I’m not sure if it is affordable! Thanks so much!

    1. I think that there are not any questions yet, but it sounds like we are getting some now. I emailed them with some of yours and I think they will start updating that section now.
      To answer your questions: There is a PDF that you download when you buy the class that has all of the fabric and notion requirements on it. If you want to see ahead of time you can visit this page: http://www.polkadotchair.bigcartel.com/product/retro-travel-bag-sewing-pattern-pdf – click on the photo that is the back pattern cover. It has all of the supplies needed. It’s mostly just interfacings and a 30″ zipper. The PDF you get with the class also has written instructions and photos if you’d like to follow along as you watch the video.
      You are right the retailer kit is only fabric . If you can’t find some of the notions, just email me and I’ll send you the link to where I buy my notions from. The zipper is the only thing you might not find at a big box craft store, but you can buy them easily online. Thanks for your questions!

  4. Hi Melissa, Thank you for an inspirational tutorial video about your Retro Travel Bag. You are a great teacher and I love all of your techniques. I also love making bags. Once again, thank your from Langenhovenpark, South Africa.

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