As summer approaches, so many of us feel the pull to step away—from our routines, our desks, our everyday surroundings—and lean into exploration. Whether it’s a weekend road trip or a long-awaited vacation, the journey becomes even more meaningful when it includes something made by hand.
This season, we’re turning to cotton—a versatile, breathable, and easy-to-work-with fabric—for creating small, intentional projects that make summer travel feel more personal and rooted.
Here are a few ideas to inspire mindful sewing before your next adventure:
👜 Simple Travel Bags & Pouches
When you pack something handmade, it shifts your travel mindset. A small zipper pouch sewn in your favorite colors becomes more than just storage—it becomes a moment of home you carry with you. Whether for toiletries, makeup, cords, or snacks, a well-made pouch can keep things grounded (and organized).
Try these patterns:
👗 Loose Dresses & Layering Pieces
Cotton has a weight and structure that makes it ideal for easy, breathable dresses or tunics—especially for hot weather. A loose-fitting muumuu or caftan-style piece can be worn over a swimsuit, dressed up for dinner, or simply lounged in with a book. Sewing something to wear on your travels brings a quiet confidence to your suitcase.
Try these patterns:
- Olympia Dress by Love Notions
- Resort Collection by Made for Mermaids
- Summer MuuMuu Dress by Thunderbird HandCrafted
🎒 Flat Foldables for Road Trips & Picnics
Lightweight quilted blankets or fold-up seat cushions made from Kona scraps can be tossed in the car or rolled into a daypack. These simple pieces invite us to stop more often—to lay down a blanket under a tree or pause for a slow lunch outdoors.
Try these Patterns:
🧳 Handmade Tags, Wraps, and Wallets
Sewing your own luggage tag or travel wallet may feel like a small thing, but it’s a grounding act. You’re more likely to notice the details, to feel connected to your process, and to carry that sense of intention with you as you go.
Try these Patterns:
🧵 Weekend Bags for Slow Escapes
There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own weekender bag—something sturdy enough to toss in the trunk, soft enough to feel lived-in, and completely unique to you. Cotton works beautifully when paired with interfacing or canvas backing, giving your handmade bag just the right structure. Choose lining fabrics that tell a little story—florals from a past season, or solid tones that echo your destination.
Sewing your own bag isn’t just practical. It turns the act of packing into a ritual: folding what matters into a space you created with your hands.
Patterns to give a try:
✨ A Thought to Travel With
When we make something for the journey—not just the destination—we remind ourselves that travel can be slow, meaningful, and human. Our hand-sewn projects aren’t about perfection; they’re about preparation with purpose. They help us savor the in-between.
If you’re feeling that tug to stitch something before your next trip, we hope this gives you permission to do so with ease and intention. Let it be simple. Let it be yours.
What are you sewing for summer?
We’d love to hear what’s under your needle or what project is quietly calling to you as the days grow longer. Shop all our fabric collections now for retail in Kona Cotton and other cotton bases.
2 comments
I plan on making a few totes over the summer.
The Taylor Convertible Duffle! That’s absolutely on my list for the summer. I’d like to get it done before my work trip in July.