How to Make a Shoe Bag

If you need a bag to keep your shoes safe while traveling, or if you simply want a decorative way to organize all of those shoes in your closet, make your own shoe bag. Handmade shoe bags also make lovely gifts for all those shoe lovers on your list.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 yard of soft but durable fabric
• Thread to match fabric
• Decorative satin-covered cord or sturdy ribbon to match fabric
• Ruler
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Buttonhole foot

1. Measure the length of the shoes that you will be putting in the shoe bag. Measure the height of the back of the shoes, including the heels.

2. Measure the size needed to accommodate the pair of shoes, plus enough extra so that the shoes will fit easily in the bag. Mark the cutting line with chalk or pins, adding about an inch of fabric on the top edge so you will have enough fabric to make a casing. Cut two pieces of fabric.

3. Press the fabric and place it right sides together. Stitch around 2 long edges and 1 short edge with a regular small stitch, reversing at the beginning and end to lock the stitches. Trim the edges to about 1/4 inch.

4. Zigzag around the stitched edges with a small zigzag stitch to keep the seam edges from fraying.

5. Turn the shoe bag right side out. Follow the directions for your sewing machine to make a buttonhole at the top of each side seam, just big enough to accommodate the ribbon or satin-covered cord. The buttonhole should be about 3/4 inch from the top of the fabric.

6. Fold the top edge under about 1 1/4 inch, with the fabric wrong side out. Make sure the buttonholes are centered. Return the sewing machine to a straight stitch and stitch the casing down. Feed the ribbon or cording through the casing and buttonholes.

7. Tie a knot securely in each end of the cord.