Nautical Amy Butler Weekender Bag Set with Matching Zipper Bags
Amy Butler Weekender Bag
The legendary Amy Butler Weekender Bag is an infamous pattern that many sewers have on their project list. It really is such a great bag and I love that you can custom make your own bag any way you want. Embroider it, add ribbons, zipper charm, quilting, no quilting, whatever you want.
The Amy Butler Weekender Bag is a sturdy, stylish and roomy bag that you will use for years.
This is my first time making the travel bag and I am happy to say that it is completed.
I feel like I have gone through some sort of rite of passage. When you finish it, you think “I am never making this again!” However, as time passes on you look back and think “It’s so cute, I should make another…”
The Amy Butler Weekender Bag is a great pattern that is very detailed and well explained. To be clear, it is a complicated project, but so worth it in the end.
There are so many tips and suggestions out there on the internet that offer ways to alter the original pattern or to just make the process a little easier. There are even Amy Butler Weekender Bag Support Groups out there.
If you search for “Amy Butler Weekender Bag Tips” on the internet or Pinterest, you will find a ton of information and thousands of versions made.
This version was made as the pattern states so I could decide for myself what the pros and cons are. The plan is to make two more, one for me and one for my other sister. However those two will be quilted and will have batting for stability instead of the Peltex. Peltex is a good stabilizer, but it is such a pain to sew with. For this bag, she did not want the quilted look so the pattern worked out perfectly.
The best tips I can give you for the Amy Butler Weekender Bag are :
- Thoroughly read the pattern’s directions
- Take your time
- Be prepared to build some arm muscles! It is pretty easy going until you have to sew the different sections together.
- Everyone suggests using Clover Wonder Clips to hold the layers together, which I am going to try next time.
The other adjustments that I am going to make for the next bags are:
- slightly wider straps for shoulder comfort
- slightly longer straps for more comfortable over the shoulder use
- use duck lining along with quilt batting
- maybe add some interior pockets
This one is a birthday present for my sister. I cannot take credit for the fabric selection because she knew exactly what she wanted. I love the fabrics that she picked, especially the stars.
Another struggle was to be very careful to keep the white fabric clean. I had to make sure that my iron and ironing board cover stayed clean, washed my hands before sewing and kept my sewing machine area very clean.
The first thing I told her when she received it was to hose this baby down with Scotch Guard (ok, test a small part on the bottom first, then hose it down). It has to stay clean and pretty!
Added some cute charms purchased on Etsy. Just search for charms on Etsy and you will find a ton of options. How cute is this passport?!
The only change I would make is to put in a metal zipper. There is nothing wrong with the white, I just like the shiny that a metal zipper adds to a project.
I also made her a couple of zipper bags to match. This one is:
- Lined with the fabric used for the weekender lining, piping and handles
- Fussy cut square with “The World” on it and made it into a label
- Measures 12″ by 12″
The second bag is reversed with the lining fabric for the exterior and the star fabric as the lining.
Added another charm… LOVE these!
It all came together nicely. This was not a quick project, but it helped me to improve my sewing skills. I am very proud that I completed it and now that a little time has passed, am ready to make another one.
Happy Sewing!
Candace
Saltwater Quilts
Here are several other posts about bags that you can sew for yourself or a gift:
Easy and Heavy Duty Travel Duffle Bag
You can find projects and quilt patterns in my Etsy shop.
33 Comments
Unknown
Beautiful weekend bag! Love it! Thanks for the tips!
Tennjenny
Fantastic. I've never made one, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. (Someday.)
Marjorie's Busy Corner
I've never made one either…only totes. This is beautiful fabric and you did a fantastic job on all of them!
Rosa
Just beautiful!!I`ve never done one.
BillieBee (billiemick)
What a terrific bag!
Angie in SoCal
Great bag! Love the fabric you chose.
Salsy
What a great bag..and wee bags to match too. Looks like a lot of work alright. I made the quilt as you go bag by Tara Rebman and I am loving using it..it was a project though! Yours looks great!
jeifner
Did you break any needles, could your machine handle all of it? It looks like it did as it turned out beautifully.
Carla
Oh, this is so great on every level!!!
Unknown
Candace, your bag is just perfect. Your fabric placement is so nice. You can tell so much thought has gone into it, a true labor of love! It makes me want to try one, but I am not sure I am up to the task. It certainly would help advance my sewing techniques. Sometimes it's good to challenge yourself. Good Job!
Serena @ Sewgiving
That is a lovely set 🙂 The weekender bag sounds hard … might hone my sewing skills a little more before attempting that one!
~Diana
I haven't tried a weekender yet, but what I found with handbag patters is…if it doesn't make sense the first/second time you read it, then it's time to take a break! One fine day I'll give this a try…probably Thanks for sharing your project, good feedback!
Granny Maud's Girl
That's some very stylish matching luggage!
quilt for fun
This is a beautiful bag – you did such a great job. Congratulations, can't wait to see the next two.
The Cozy Pumpkin
How great is this?! I don't know if I'm more impressed with the skills you possess to do this, or with your ability to keep it stain free. 😉
Rose
What a great weekend bag set. Your sister is so lucky. Your bag looks so "professionally" made.
Pat
That is really handsome! I havent recovered yet from the only bag I ever made (4 years ago) and it didn't even have a zipper.
Patti
Beautiful job! This is on my "to do" list, guess I'll have to give it a try!
Amy's Crafty Shenanigans
Wow well done for finishing this gorgeous bag! And for linking up to TGIFF!
Simon Says Sew
Beautiful! I'm getting ready to try making one too and I appreciate the links that you shared. Thanks!
charlotte
Wonderful job. Such a high class looking set. Great fabrics.
daveandlo
nice job of matching the pattern!
RobinSue
Congratulations on this fabulous bag. It's wonderful. What a terrific sister you are!
Saltwater Quilts
Thank you! No, I didn't break any needles. I used a denim needle and took my time, which were her instructions in the pattern. Taking your time is key! My machine could handle it. I have a Janome Horizon and it does really well with heavy, bulky projects. Now my older Janome, that I used before the Horizon, is a more simple machine and it would not be able to handle the project. This bag definitely requires a sturdy machine.
Unknown
WOW. Your sis better love you eternally! What great gifts!! I am very tempted to try to make one of these bags, but all the pain and fear and twitching that will go along with it will be tripled due to the fact that I don't have my own house right now and thus would probably have to sew on the floor. XD Maybe someday later…
Schulz Family
visiting from sew many ways. I love this. And the matching pouches to go with it are lovely.
Amy DeCesare
Congratulations on your delivery of a beautiful, bouncing baby Bag! It's just gorgeous!
Tamie
Congratulations on your finish. I'm in awe every time I see someone finish one. I can't believe you are going to do this two more times.
Lindsey
Umm..this is pretty much the cutest weekender bag I have seen! Your choice of fabric is spot on! I love how it turned out! I am glad you stuck with it even though it was tough–it was definitely worth it!
Thank you for linking up to Fabric Frenzy Friday!
-Lindsey
Fabric Frenzy Friday
Georgi
Beautiful bag!! Love the fabric you used for this one (drool!) Have you ever tried By Annie's Soft and Stable interfacing? I've used it in a couple of bags and it's awesome to sew with!
Anonymous
This is absolutely beautiful! ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
Ramona
Your work is exceptional. Looks like a professional job there. Love the fabrics your sister chose and the little labels on the bags and the zipper pulls are precious.
Amira@littlemushroomcap
It turns out gorgeous. PErfect match with zipper charms and all. Love it. Became anew follower to your blog today and had fun visiting your past posts! I love your photos!