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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

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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

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