I was feeling the urge to make something complicated, but instead of a coat I landed on a travel backpack. Why? My friend and I actually booked a winter trip after talking about it for years. We’re going to the East Bay (ok, we’re going to Stonemountain) in January and I decided to sew a suitcase-backpack for it. (Why not sew that domed carry on that I keep posting about every year and then not making? We won’t have a car so I want something that’s comfy to walk around with. Someday, carry on…)
I’m going to use the “TRVL 32” from Prickly Gorse which won out over the Stitchback Gear version because it opens like a suitcase and has lots of exterior pockets. Just look at all these pockets!
I uncharacteristically didn’t go mega-colorful with this one–my thought is that Doc could use this as a personal item if we ever go anywhere with rolling luggage and I could still sew the Kate Spade knockoff carry on for mine. (Also, if your backpack is neutral it won’t clash with your snakeskin printed pants or bright blue corduroys as you prance around Berkeley.) I couldn’t resist contrast red lining inside, though:
I’m not 100% sold on the two tans so I might check out Salt Lake Sewciety for a backup. But otherwise, I have everything I need to get started–including the biggest zippers I’ve ever seen: 
Let’s sew a suitcase!