Whoever said laundry day has to be a bore never met a laundry bag made from designs in the Spoonflower Marketplace. With choices like bold, geometric patterns and quirky prints like Smiling Sloths, this chore is anything BUT a bore! See how to make your own laundry bag with two yards of Cypress Cotton Canvas below.
How to Make a Laundry Bag
Laundry Bag Materials
- 2 Yards of Cypress Cotton Canvas
- 2 Yards Fusible Heavyweight Interfacing
- Fabric scissors or rotary blade
- Disappearing Ink Marking Pen
- Iron and ironing board
- Pins or Wonder Clips
- Sewing Machine
This project also works great with Dogwood Denim™ or Celosia Velvet™.
1. Cut Out Your Fabric and Interfacing
Cut out the following pieces from your fabric and interfacing:
- Fabric
- Laundry Bag Sides: (2) 24″ x 24″ (61cm x 61cm) pieces
- Laundry Bag Bottom: (1) Circle with a diameter of 15″ (38cm)
- Laundry Bag Handles: (2) 15″ x 3″ (38cm x 8cm) pieces
- Interfacing
- Laundry Bag Side: (2) 23.5″ wide x 19.5″ (60cm x 50cm) pieces
- Laundry Bag Bottom: (1) Circle with a diameter of 14″ (36cm)
2. Attach the Interfacing
Following the manufacturer’s instructions, iron on the interfacing to the unprinted side of the laundry bag making sure to leave a ¼” seam allowance around the sides and bottom and 4” from the top. Iron on the circle interfacing to the wrong side of the laundry bag bottom.
3. Sew the Handles
Fold each strap piece in half longways, right sides together. Stitch along the long edge with a ⅝” seam allowance, making sure to leave both short ends open. Flip the handles right-side out.
Fold in the raw edges of the handles ¼” and press.
4. Mark the Handle Placement on the Laundry Bag Sides
Using your marking pen, mark the strap placement on both laundry bag sides 2″ (5cm) from the top and 9″ (23cm) from each side. When attached, the handles should be 6″ (15cm) a part.
5. Attach the Handles
Pin the handles over the marks you just made on the laundry bag sides so the handles are facing upwards. Sew a 1.5″ (4cm) square around handle ends. Stitch an X within the square for extra strength.
6. Sew the Side Pieces Together
Pin the side pieces together, right sides facing. Stitch the two long sides together with a ¼” (.6cm) seam.
7. Attach the Laundry Bag Bottom
Pin or clip the bag bottom to the bag sides you just stitched together, right sides facing. Stitch in place with a 1/2″ (1.3cm) seam allowance. Clip the seam, being careful not to cut into your stitches, and turn right-side out.
8. Hem the Top of the Laundry Bag
Fold the raw edge at the top of the bag down ¼” (.6cm), wrong sides facing, and press in place. Fold down again 4″ (10cm) and press. The raw edges of the top of the bag should be hidden. Topstitch in place along the bottom of the 4″ (10cm) fold.
All done! Admire your customized laundry bag and get excited for the newest addition to laundry day.
Want to make a whimsical laundry bag for your little one? Try out the Hungry Monster Laundry Bag from artist sammyk!
I am confused about sewing the handles on 2” down from the top edge before turning the top edge 4” down for a 4” hem, since the handles are already on. the finished picture doesn’t look like the handles are impacted by that deeper hem. please can you clarify? I would love to make this!
A 48″ (diameter) circle would be absolutely gargantuan! You would need your side piece to add up to 147.5″ (48″ diameter, minus 1/2″ seam allowance = 47″ x 3.14 (pi) = 147.5″). I think what you mean is that you need a 14.75″ diameter circle. No one can draw a circle based on the circumference, so that’s why we give circle dimensions in diameter (length across the middle). That way, people can use a compass or a piece of string tied to their pencil/pen with it anchored in a center point to draw at least a half circle. The really nice thing to do though would be to include a half circle pattern piece (just two parts to tape together). 🙂
Hi DBai,
Thanks so much for bringing this to our attention! We have updated the measurements to reflect a laundry bag base with a 48″ circumference.