Tent Bag

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Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Functional

For: Unisex

Style: Outdoorsy, Casual

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Materials

Tan/Green Striped Duck Cloth for Exterior and Interior Lining, straps and ties, Machine Embroidery "TENT BAG"

What was your inspiration?

I made this Tent Bag to carry the Canopy for a Tent.

We bought a new 12 ft. square tent, and first time we used it, dog-gone it, we could not figure out how to stuff the tent canopy back into the canvas tote that holds the pop up metal frame part of the tent.

I decided right there and then, I'd make a separate bag for the canopy. Its a good idea anyhow--because I don't have to worry about the metal frame of the tent cutting into the more delicate poly fabric canopy.

What are you most proud of?

I'm proud to put a label on this tote bag "TENT BAG". I programmed simple text into my embroidery machine and loaded the unconstructed bag exterior fabric into the largest hoop I had.

The oversized bag is 20 x 24", and fitted with 1-1/2" wide straps constructed from cutting 6 inch width fabric and folding it twice to eliminate raw edges. The final step is top-stitching the straps.

Let's face it, the canopy is stuffed into the bag--so to control it's fullness I added two center ties to the rim of the bag to keep it closed and snug while carrying or storing it.

I added four stacked pockets to the interior lining during construction. I store the extra velcro tie down strap accessories that came with the tent into the interior pockets.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

It is easy to make a couple of labeled utility bags like this in one day.

Utility bags required sturdy fabric. Two layers of fabric are better than one. Having a lining fabric also helps hide installation of the carrying straps and ties.

I like cotton duck cloth to make utility bags and shopping totes, but outdoor polyester upholstery fabric is champion because they are rain-proof, fade-proof, and most of those polyester fabrics don't ravel.

BEST TIP: DO NOT USE YOUR SERGER TO CUT AWAY EXCESS FABRIC ON THESE HEAVY DUTY FABRICS because it will wear down your serger cutting blades, or worse--the fabric will get stuck in your serger blades.

It is always a safer method to use your zig-zag stitch on your general purpose sewing machine if you have to overcast heavy duty fabrics. Again--outdoor polyester upholstery fabric usually doesn't ravel at all-eliminating the need for overcasting.

Best wishes, and happy sewing!

Mrs. D