How to Sew a Drawstring Laundry Bag

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Things You'll Need

  • Patterned utility fabric, 28 inches by 40 inches, 2 pieces

  • Medium-weight muslin lining, 28 inches by 40 inches, 2 pieces

  • Fabric scissors

  • Steam iron

  • Straight pins (optional)

  • Sewing machine

  • Coordinating spool of sewing thread

  • Jute rope, 72 inches or 2 yards

Learn to sew a simple drawstring laundry bag.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Keep organized and in style by making a drawstring laundry bag as decorative as it is functional. Use it for daily laundry, a vacation staple or give it away a housewarming gift for those headed off to dorm living or a first apartment.

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Step 1

Utility fabric is a heavier-weight material, adding durability and shape to the overall bag.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Cut your fabric to size, and then iron each piece to flatten and free from wrinkles.

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Step 2

The muslin fabric will act as a bag lining and add visual interest.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Lay out a single piece of each the utility and muslin fabrics, overlapping one another with right sides facing out.

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Step 3

Ironing a fold makes sewing the seam easier and can oftentimes negate the need for pins.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Fold the overlapped pieces of fabric half an inch in from the edge along the two longer sides and one of the shorter sides. Iron the fold in place. Stitch along the center of all three sides of the folded fabric (leaving the mouth of the bag open), with a quarter-inch seam allowance, before removing pins.

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Step 4

Pay attention to the pattern, keeping it straight when folding the fabric.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

To create the channel for the drawstring bag top, fold and iron 2 inches of the fabric on the remaining, unstitched side.

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Step 5

Choose a coordinating thread to tie into the fabric pattern.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Stitch this fold, leaving a 1½-inch folded border. While sewing, backstitch along each side edge for added durability.

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Step 6

Pay attention to the pattern, coordinating each side when piecing together.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Repeat steps two through five with the remaining two pieces of patterned and muslin fabric, and then piece both sets of fabric together, right sides facing in. Pin together the three sides surrounding the top channels for added security while sewing if desired.

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Step 7

Most sewing machines have a backstitching setting for a quick back and forth along the fabric edge.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Sew along each of the three sides of the fabric, stopping just below the channel openings. Backstitch at each of the channel points for added durability.

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Step 8

It's amazing how finished the bag will feel once turned inside out.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Neatly trim any excess fabric and loose threads along the sides of the bag, and then turn the entire piece right-side out, pressing along each inside corner to give shape to the laundry bag.

Step 9

Jute rope adds character and a nautical feel when paired with ticking patterned fabric.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

String the jute rope through the top channels of the bag, tying a knot at each end when complete, to prevent it from slipping out.

Step 10

Store the bag in a laundry room, use as a hamper or to carry to the laundromat.
Image Credit: Image by Tim & Mary Vidra

Pull the rope to cinch and close the top of the laundry bag — now it's ready for use.

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