Make a sack that's Better than Santa's! "DUFFEL UP" FOR CHRISTMAS

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Although the Yuletide is just around the corner, there's still time to whip up this easy-to-make, inexpensive (but valuable) gift for some of the special folks on your list: the do-anything, go-anywhere, kick-it-and-cuddle-it duffel bag!

All you'll need to turn out one of these handy stuff-sacks for a favorite traveler are a few materials, some basic sewing know-how and the instructions that follow. So grab your scissors. Time's awastin'!

MATERIALS: THE BAG-INNING

For a 19-1/2" x 8-1/2" duffel bag, gather together one yard of 40"-wide fabric (canvas, cotton duck, coated nylon, Acrilan or just about anything that's durable and won't stretch or shrink too much), one-quarter yard of 40"-wide cloth (perhaps of a different color) for welting cover, two yards of 1/16"-diameter welting cord or rope, three yards of 1-1/2" webbing for straps, one 21"-long strip of zipper (bought off the roll) with slider, and one roll of cotton-covered polyester (or other heavy-duty) thread.

AND, IF YOU WANT TO GET FANCY

(A word of caution: Some of the following "trimmings" must be attached to a bag before it's completed. You can save yourself some frustration, then, by reading all the directions in this article before you sew that first stitch.)

FOR POCKETS: You'll need all of the above materials plus one foot of elastic or shock cord, one-half yard of extra fabric (the same as the bag material), and two 9" lengths of zipper (with sliders).

FOR A SHOULDER STRAP: Add on 1-1/4 yards of the same 1-1/2" webbing strap material called for above (if you want end straps, too, make that 2-1/4 yards more), plus a buckle that will fit the webbing, two clip or spring hook fasteners, and two D-rings.

FOR A STORM FLAP: Buy an extra 7-1/2" x 22" piece of fabric and 22" of Velcro.

Welt cord and zippers can be purchased "off the roll" at upholstery shops. Marine, camping, hardware and fabric outlets are good sources of webbing, D-rings, fasteners, shock cord and Velcro.

ALL'S WELT THAT STARTS WELT

Welting, the "trim" around the ends of the bags you see here, is just a length of small rope or cord that has been covered with fabric. It both helps the bag retain its shape and adds a pleasingly decorative touch, but welting is not absolutely essential and can be left off altogether if you want to simplify your project.

If you are going to use welting, though, it's best to make it up before you start a sack. Take your one-quarter yard of 40"-wide welting-cover cloth and cut it into strips, each 1-1/4" wide (see Fig. 1). Seam several of the strips together to make one long strip. Then fold the ribbon of material over the welting cord (tie a knot in the rope so it won't slip out), and sew the fabric closed as shown in Fig. 2. It's not necessary to sew too close to the rope as you make your stitch, but you should try to form the whole length of welting as smoothly and as evenly as possible. And make just a little more than you think you'll need!