Duffel Bags

Here are some simple duffel bags I made for my family.

I documented the process of sewing one of these on this Instagram story, so check that out if you're interested.

I don't have too many details in this post, but I'd like to write up more about making these in the future, and produce an in-depth video about it.

Duffel Bags made by Zef Houssney
Camping at Antelope Island State Park in Utah while on a road trip.

I like to call this design the "Dead-Simple Duffel" because it's about as simple as you can get, as it's just a cylinder with a zipper and straps.

I love the materials and the simplicity of the design. The fabric is Cordura 500D nylon, with an 8mm matte-black water-resistant zipper. I used 1" webbing for most of these, but the two-tone bag has 3/4" instead because I didn't have any 1" in that color.

  • Grey Duffel Bags made by Zef Houssney
    Two sizes of duffels in grey and charcoal that I made for my kids.
  • Duffel Bags made by Zef Houssney
    All four duffels I've made so far together, ready for a trip!

After making the grey/charcoal bags, I added some end-straps across the cylinder end, which I like a lot.

I hand-cut the pattern for the first couple I made, but laser-cut out some more on a friend's industrial CO2 laser. I still have some blanks to make more.

  • Laser-cut duffel bag blanks.
    Laser-cut duffel bag blanks.
  • A two-tone kit of all the required components that I gave to a friend.
    A two-tone kit of all the required components that I gave to a friend.