Retro Shark Duffel Bag — ISLA Bag Pattern Review

This week I finished a fun duffel bag for a very deserving friend, and I can't wait to share it with you. It's retro-style with bold stripes on the outside and — because this friend is not like other friends — shark fabric. I used the ISLA Bag pattern from Sallie Tomato Patterns, and I have thoughts.

The Story Behind the Shark Bag

Let me back up, because there's a genuinely fun story here.

Over the past month I've been on a serious duffel bag kick. I made a large duffel for my father-in-law's birthday, and then I sewed two faux leather duffel bags to donate to a church auction. Both auction bags were made with the Wanderlust Duffel Bag pattern from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop — one lined with University of Utah fabric, one with BYU fabric. I thought they'd add a little friendly rivalry to the bidding. (We're a divided household when it comes to college football.)

Here's where it gets good. My husband had his eye on the BYU bag from the start. But a friend of mine also really wanted it, and they ended up in a full-on bidding war. My husband lost, and the bag sold for over $200. He was crushed.

About a month later, that same friend surprised him by giving him the duffel bag as a birthday gift. Genuinely one of the nicest things. So naturally, I had to do something nice in return. She loves sharks — like, really loves sharks — so I made her a custom retro duffel bag with shark fabric, and it turned out so fun.

About the ISLA Bag Pattern

All of the duffel bags I made for the auction used the Wanderlust pattern, so this was my first time trying the ISLA. Here's how they compare:

The Wanderlust Duffel is easier to sew and comes in multiple sizes, which is great if you want flexibility. It also has bias tape around the interior seams, which keeps everything tidy but does add a bit of time to the project.

The ISLA Bag skips the bias tape and gives you more room to play with color and fabric combinations. It's a slightly more involved sew, but the finished bag looks polished and more visually interesting overall. The retro shape is really distinctive — it photographs beautifully and feels special in a way that's hard to describe until you're holding it.

For a gift bag where looks matter? I'd reach for the ISLA. For a quick, practical bag in a custom size? The Wanderlust is hard to beat.

Pin It

One note for anyone sewing thick or heavy fabrics: take it slow through the bulky sections. I've now pushed a few machines harder than I should have on these duffel projects — ask me how I know!

I love how this one turned out, and I think my friend will too. There's something so satisfying about making a gift that's genuinely tailored to the person receiving it.

Have you tried either of these patterns? I'd love to hear what you thought in the comments!