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

Packing light? This little kit makes it sew easy ✨ Packing light? This little kit makes it sew easy ✨ The Travel Sewing Kit is compact, clever, and surprisingly roomy—perfect for safety pins, needles, mini scissors, and all your on‑the‑go essentials. Whether you’re heading to a retreat, stitching in a café, or just want tidy tools at home, this pouch will be your new best friend.✔ Beginner‑friendly ✔ Stash‑friendly ✔ Quick to sew ✔ Folds flat for easy packing🧵 Find the pattern in our Pattern Store + Etsy Shop!👇 Comment TRAVEL and I’ll DM you the link!#sewingonthego #travelsewingkit #handmadepouch #diysewing #sewinglove
Sewing a little Something Blue this week 💙 🧵 I’ve Sewing a little Something Blue this week 💙🧵 I’ve been stitching a few of my favourite small projects in the new Tilda Something Blue collection — the Makers Caddy, Sewing Buddy Pincushion, and Dresden Needlebook. Each one is beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, and perfect for gifting or organising your sewing space.I love how the soft blues, tiny florals, and sweet details come together across all three projects. Small makes really do bring the most joy.If you’d like any of the pattern links, comment PATTERNS and I’ll send you a link to my pattern store where you will find these three patterns.Save this for your next weekend sew.Fabric: Tilda Something Blue with thanks to @tilda_australia#tildasomethingblue #ilovetilda #sewingreels #sewingprojects #scrapfriendlysewing
A little fabric pull turned into the sweetest Quad A little fabric pull turned into the sweetest Quadra Pouch 💛✂️ I love mixing a polka dot, gingham, small floral, and large floral in the same colour family — it’s such an easy way to create a coordinated look from scraps or fat quarters. This project ticks all the boxes: beginner‑friendly, scrap‑friendly, giftable, and genuinely useful for everyday storage.The tag and matching cord covers are my favourite finishing touches — small details that make the whole pouch feel extra special.If you’d like the pattern link, comment QUADRA and I’ll send it straight to you.Save this one for your next weekend sew.Pattern: Quadra Pouch — available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#quadrapouch #scrapfriendlysewing #sewingreels #sewingprojects #beginnersewingproject   
Colour Crush Series: Blue 💙 There’s something so Colour Crush Series: Blue 💙There’s something so calming about blue in a sewing room - soft, fresh, and endlessly versatile. From tiny florals to bold geometrics, blue fabrics always seem to play nicely together. 💙🧵Here are a few of my favourite blue makes. Perfect for small projects, scrap sewing, and those soothing “just for fun” moments at your machine.Save this for your next colour‑themed sewing session.#modernsewing #sewingcommunity #sewingideas #fabricpull #scrapfriendlysewing
Want your drawstrings to sit neatly every time? Th Want your drawstrings to sit neatly every time? This tiny notion does all the hard work for you. 🧵✨ Cord locks (toggles) keep your drawstrings tidy, secure, and perfectly in place — no knots, no slipping, just a clean finish.I use them on my Bitsy Baskets to keep the closure polished, especially for gifting or storing small items. They’re so simple to use: thread the ends through, press the spring, slide to lock… done.If you’d like to sew your own Bitsy Basket, comment BASKET and I’ll send the pattern link straight to you.Save this for your next scrap‑busting project.Pattern is available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#bitsybasket #cordlocks #sewingtips #drawstringbag #sewingreels
A little Sunday sewing inspiration for you 💙✂️ The A little Sunday sewing inspiration for you 💙✂️ The Dresden Needlebook is one of my most‑loved makes — pretty, practical, and such a satisfying scrap‑friendly project. Perfect for gifting… or keeping in your own sewing kit.Swipe through to see the details — two pockets, felt pages, and a neat snap fastening to keep everything secure.If you’d like the pattern, comment NEEDLEBOOK and I’ll send the link straight to you.Save this for your next weekend sewing session.Pattern Details: Dresden Needlebook Sewing Pattern - available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.  #dresdenplate #sewinginspiration #beginnersewing #sewinglove   #sewinginspiration
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

  • Cord Cosy
  • Fabric Scrap Crafts: No Sewing Required
  • Fiesta Potholder
  • Flower Sugar Pouches
  • What To Do With Selvedges (and Why I Save Every One)
  • Home Made Ornaments
  • Fabric Gift Pouch

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