A Spoonful of Sugar

Make. Bake. Create.

Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Press
    • FAQ
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Crafts
    • Crochet
    • DIY
    • Embroidery/Cross stitch
    • Gift Wrapping
    • Knitting
    • Miscellaneous
    • Paper Crafts
  • Holidays
    • New Year’s
    • Australia Day
    • Back to School
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • ANZAC Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Bars & Slices
    • Bread & Pastries
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Confectionery
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Ice Cream
    • Jams/Preserves
    • Main Meals
  • Sewing
    • Sewing Tutorials
    • Quilting
    • Sewing & Quilting Patterns
  • Family
    • Back to School
    • Family Fun
    • Our Home
    • Parenting
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Pattern Store
    • Etsy Store

How to Make a Laundry Bag

February 22, 2013 By Spoonful of Sugar - 9 Comments

We love to travel and have got packing down to a fine art. When we are moving from place to place, it can be challenge to keep our suitcases organised (especially when we have been shopping). We have made some travel sized laundry bags to keep in our suitcases so we can easily separate our clothing. Made from printed ripstop nylon with a drawstring closure, it is light and compact when folded. We made it using French seams to give a neat finish on the inside of the laundry bag.

These would make a great gift for a traveller. If you would like to know how we made our laundry bag, follow our steps below.

How To Make  Laundry Bag (Travel Sized)

Finished Size: 17 x 22 inches
Materials:
Ripstop Nylon – two pieces measuring 18 x 24 inches
Cord – two pieces measuring 40 inches in length
Ribbon – 5 inch length for the  hanging loop.
* We purchased the ripstop nylon from Daiso in Tokyo (100 Yen store). It is available in most fabric stores. Another option would be to use shower curtain fabric.
1. With the wrong sides of the fabric facing, clip the layers together. We used Clover Wonder Clips (purchased at Okadaya) which were perfect for holding the slippery nylon in place. Using a 1/8 inch seam allowance, stitch along the bottom edge, and the two long sides, stopping 1 1/2 inches from the top edge. Clip bottom corners, and turn inside out so that the wrong side is facing. Stitch along the sides (starting 1 1/2 inches from the top edge) and the bottom using a 1/4 seam allowance.
2. Fold over the top edge by 3/4 inch. Then fold over again. In the middle of one side of the top edge, position the ribbon as shown in photo below). Stitch along the top edge to secure the folded edge. Turn the laundry bag out the right way.
3. Thread the cord in through the left side through the channel and around the opening of the bag, exiting from the left side. Repeat with the other piece of cord on the right side. Tie the ends of the cord together.
Fold the laundry bag up and tie with an extra piece of ribbon or secure it with a hair elastic. The travel laundry bag is now ready to be popped into your suitcase.
You may also like these travel tutorials (click on the title under the photo to be taken to the tutorial):
Pyjama Bag

Pyjama Bag

Travel Neck Pillow Cover

Travel neck Pillow Cover

Felt Luggage Tag
Felt Luggage Tag

Filed Under: Sewing, Sewing Tutorials Tagged With: bag, ripstop nylon, sewing tutorial, travel

« Apple Cake Recipe
Quick Cards Using Hama Beads »

Comments

  1. Laura says

    February 23, 2013 at 6:54 am

    Cutest ripstop nylon I have ever seen!

    Reply
  2. Marissa says

    February 23, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    Wow!! that is so,so cute!!! you are so talented!!

    Reply
  3. Monsterscircus says

    February 23, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    Pretty awsome laundry bags! And much more stylish than my old ones, tink I’m goin to get crafty:-) thnk for sharing,

    Reply
  4. janice15 says

    February 24, 2013 at 8:32 am

    Very pretty, I was recently thinking of this..but I got a sewing machine from a friend but I’m not sure how to adjust it so I’m trying to find a book on it. But I remember making these in sewing class back in the day and wanted to make some for my granddaughters…Great job…with love Janice

    Reply
  5. Sharon Dawn says

    February 24, 2013 at 10:45 pm

    I love your light-weight laundry bag! Do you know anyplace online to order the printed ripstop from? I can’t find it on the link and have searched online, but I haven’t had any luck so far. Thanks for the ideas!

    Reply
    • Lori P says

      July 22, 2016 at 8:17 am

      Here are some links for ripstop nylon: https://goodwinds.com/sail-supplies/ripstop-nylon-fabric-13/ripstop-nylon-fabric.html
      http://www.beaconfabric.com/vindex.html?cat54.htm

      I am going to make my laundry bag out of two pieces of cotton fabric. It can go in the washer along with my dirty laundry.
      Thank you so much for you pattern and idea.

      Reply
  6. Mallery says

    March 10, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Sorry – do you start with wrong sides together, stitch, turn out so right sides are together, then stitch? There are words missing from your instructions…

    Reply
    • A Spoonful of Sugar says

      March 10, 2017 at 9:14 am

      As it is made with nylon, a French seam is used. That is correct – you start with the wrong sides together (right side is facing outwards), stitch, then turn out so the wrong side is facing outwards. Sorry for any confusion. If you are not clear, google French seams for more instruction.

      Reply
      • Mallery says

        March 10, 2017 at 9:21 am

        Thanks! Never done a French seam so learning time 🙂

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Categories

Archives

PURCHASE PDF PATTERNS

We offer over 100 affordable PDF sewing patterns available for download from our store website or Etsy store. Each pattern includes detailed instructions, numerous photos, and templates.

WEB STORE ETSY STORE

Instagram

Colour Crush: Green 💚 A fresh little collection of Colour Crush: Green 💚 A fresh little collection of green makes — soft mint, leafy tones, cool blue‑greens, and those pretty mid‑greens that always feel calm and uplifting. Green is one of my favourite colours to sew with… it’s soothing, versatile, and works beautifully across so many projects.Swipe through and tell me which shade of green you’re loving right now.If you’d like the pattern links, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send yoy a link to my pattern store straight to your inbox. All patterns are available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#colourcrushseries #greeninspiration #sewinginspiration #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingcommunity
Quick, Cute, & So Useful ✂️🎀 The Handy Drawstring Quick, Cute, & So Useful ✂️🎀 The Handy Drawstring Pouch is one of those little projects that always earns its place on the sewing table. It stitches up fast, uses small cuts of fabric, and opens into the sweetest shape — perfect for treats, tiny gifts, travel notions, or organising your sewing space.It’s simple, satisfying, and endlessly useful… the kind of make you’ll sew more than once.Comment HANDY and I’ll send you the pattern link. Pattern: Handy Drawstring Bag (3 Sizes) — available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#handydrawstringbag #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingcommunity #sewingpatterns #giftableprojects
Fruity & Floral Favourites 🍓🌼 A cheerful little co Fruity & Floral Favourites 🍓🌼 A cheerful little collection of projects featuring sweet fruity shapes and pretty floral motifs — pineapples, apples, blossoms, flower buds and more. These designs are fun to sew, beginner‑friendly, and perfect for gifting or adding a pop of colour to your sewing space.Swipe through and tell me in the comments: Which fruity or floral project is your favourite?If you’d like the pattern links, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send you a link to my Pattern Store. All patterns are available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#scrapfriendlysewing #giftableprojects #sewingcommunity #makersgonnamake #pdfsewingpattern
Which Dresden Needlebook style are you? ✂️ 💙 This Which Dresden Needlebook style are you? ✂️💙 This little project is one of my favourite ways to play with colour, prints, and tiny details — each style has its own personality, from soft florals to bold geometrics to sweet vintage tones. They’re quick to sew, beautifully giftable, and perfect for keeping needles, pins, and small notions organised.Swipe through the carousel and tell me in the comments: Which Dresden Needlebook style is your favourite?If you’d like the pattern link, comment NEEDLEBOOK and I’ll send it straight to your inbox. The Dresden Needlebook PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#dresdenneedlebook #sewinginspiration #scrapfriendlysewing #beginnerfriendlysewing #giftableprojects
The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Bakers Bu The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Bakers Buddy Mitt is one of those projects I reach for again and again — quick to sew, beautifully shaped, and genuinely useful in the kitchen. It’s beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and makes the sweetest handmade gift.Here’s why it’s always on my sewing table:
• No binding, which means fast, frustration‑free construction
• Insul‑Brite + batting layers to protect your hand
• A modern silhouette that looks gorgeous in any stash fabricIf you’d like the pattern link, comment BAKER and I’ll send it straight to your inbox. The Bakers Buddy Mitt PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#quicksewingproject #beginnersewing #scrapfriendlysewing #giftableprojects #sewingcommunity
Scrap‑busting happiness in one tiny make ✂️🧺 The Scrap‑busting happiness in one tiny make ✂️🧺The Bitsy Basket is one of my favourite ways to turn the smallest offcuts into something useful and adorable. It’s quick to sew, beginner‑friendly, and just the right size for clips, threads, treats, or tiny treasures on your sewing table.If you’ve got a growing pile of scraps, this is the perfect project to turn them into something sweet — and it’s a lovely little gift idea too.Comment BASKET and I’ll send you the pattern link.The Bitsy Basket PDF is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#bitsybasket #scrapfriendlysewing #scrapbustingideas #sewingreels #sewingcommunity
Follow on Instagram

Featured Pattern

Travel Sewing Kit Pattern

Featured Tutorial

Retro Drawstring Bag

Featured Recipe

Lemon Pound Cake

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Threads
  • TikTok
SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
×

Popular Posts

  • Teen Craft: Monogrammed Notebooks
  • Charm Square Fabric Tray
  • Cord Cosy
  • The Art of Small Makes: Why 1–2 Hour Projects Spark Creativity
  • English Paper Piecing Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide with Projects to Inspire
  • The Sewist’s Guide to Crafting Comfort: Handmade Gifts for Relaxation and Self-Care
  • Apple Crumble Slice

Copyright © 2026 Lisa. K. Cox - A Spoonful of Sugar