The pippin tote

From humble, hardworking beginnings to stylish staples in modern homes, vintage and antique baskets endure for their beauty and craftsmanship, as Alice Roberton explains

For gear hauling almost anywhere but on the trail, a duffle bag is hard to beat. Swallowing huge volumes of kit and tough enough to survive everything from car boot battering to baggage handler hostility, here are five of our favourites.

With built-in compartments for carrying trainers, sweaty clothes, yoga mats and more, keep your kit organised with these stylish and practical gym bags

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 35x90m ■ Lining fabric: 35x90cm ■ Iron-on interfacing: light- or medium-weight 35x90cm ■ D-rings: two 3cm ■ Swivel clips: two ■ Cord: 40cm ■ Toggle: one ■ Matching thread

YOU WILL NEED FOR EACH CUSHION ■ Fabric A: 75x45cm – front and one envelope back ■ Fabric B: 65x45cm – appliqué and one envelope back ■ Bondaweb: 35x35cm ■ Cushion pad: 46cm ■ Paper for the template ■

YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric A: 25x30cm – outer and tabs ■ Fabric B: 20x30cm – lining ■ Zip: 20cm ■ Ribbon: 20cm – for the pull ■ Erasable fabric pen ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ The