How to Make a Fat Quarter Drawstring Laundry Bag
Years ago, I made myself a drawstring travel laundry bag, and it’s now one of my favorite travel necessities. My original sewing tutorial included five different bag sizes but did not include fat quarter-friendly directions. This article will teach you how to make a laundry bag using only fat quarters of fabric!
I have a friend who’s a huge Disney fan. She visits several times a year and loves the RunDisney races. I was brainstorming a gift to make her for her birthday last year and thought that a Disney laundry bag might be kind of fun.
On a recent trip, she was able to run another Disney race and texted me photos of the bag in her hotel room, ready to fill up with laundry!
About the Pattern
I mentioned before that I have a similar bag I love to use for laundry when I travel. I shared a tutorial for that bag HERE.
When I went to make the one for my friend, I only had Fat Quarters of Disney fabric.
I returned to my original tutorial (which included measurements for several sizes of drawstring bags) and realized I didn’t have a measurement suitable for Fat Quarters.
What is a Fat Quarter?
A fat quarter of fabric is a quarter yard of fabric that is cut to yield an 18″ x 22″ piece of fabric rather than a 9″ x 44″ piece of fabric from a traditional cut. It is common to see pre-cut fat quarter packs of fabric for sale. Many designers write quilt patterns designed specifically for Fat Quarters.
This tutorial will show you how to make a lined, reversible drawstring bag using ONLY fat quarters of fabric (and some ribbon for a drawstring).
NEW! Video Instructions
Our YouTube channel has a video that walks you through the steps to sew the navy floral version of this bag.
Before I share the tutorial, here’s the chart again if you’d like to make a laundry bag in a different size. Note that the fat quarter bag measurement is not included in the chart.
Drawstring Bag Pattern Cutting Chart
The word “LAUNDRY” was added to the bag using an iron-on that I created using my Cricut Machine. To make the iron-on, I chose a font in Cricut Design Space that I liked and cut it out from Red Iron-On vinyl. I then used my EasyPress to adhere the word to the bag. If you want more detailed directions to do this, you can see a full tutorial on how to make an iron-on with your Cricut on our site; just use the search box at the top.
A few notes about the Laundry Bag:
- It measures approx. 16″ x 20″ x 1″ when finished.
- It is fully lined and reversible.
- If you plan to wash the bag frequently, I recommend pre-washing your fabric before you make it.
- This project contains drawstring ribbons, which can be hazardous to small children. It’s intended for adult use only.
TIP: Pay Attention to the Fabric Direction
This project is directional, meaning it has an up and a down. If your fabric also has an up and a down, you need to ensure it’s oriented correctly on your finished project.
Here are some examples of directional fabric. If this fabric were cut into fat quarters and used to make the bag with the current measurements, the mermaids, seahorses, and scallops would be sideways in the finished project.
If your fat quarters are directional, you want to ensure the fabric is oriented correctly on your bag.
If your chosen fat quarter will result in a sideways image on your finished bag, you can cut your fabric piece below 17″ x 17″ instead of 17″ x 20″. All other measurements are the same. The bag will be slightly shorter, but it will still work great!
Printable Directions for Multiple Size Bags
If you prefer a PDF printable version instead, including the measurements for the additional bag sizes, you can purchase a printable version of this pattern in our shop for a small fee.
Fat Quarter Drawstring Bag Sewing Pattern
Equipment
supplies
- 2 Fat Quarters Fabric For Outside of Bag
- 2 Fat Quarters Fabric For Bag Lining
- 1 Fat Quarter Fabric For Casing
- 2 yards 1/4″ Ribbon for Drawstring
Instructions
Cutting Instructions
- Cut the two fat quarters of fabric for the outside of the bag and the two fat quarters for the bag lining to 17″ x 20″. 17″ is the width of the bag, and 20″ is the height of the bag.
- Cut from the casing fabric, two pieces each 3″ x 17″
- On the bottom of each of the Bag Outside and Bag Lining pieces, cut a 1.5″ x 1.5″ square from the two bottom corners.
Step One: Prepare the Bag Casing
- All seam allowances are 1/2″
- Begin by pressing the short ends of one of your bag casing pieces in 1/2″ on each edge. I recommend using a seam gauge for this step.
- Next, fold the piece in half lengthwise and press. Repeat for other bag casing pieces.
Step Two: Sew the Casing to the Bag's Outside Pieces
- Pin the bag casing to the outside piece of the bag along the top edge. The raw edges of the bag front and the folded casing piece will be flush, and the casing should be centered in the bag’s outside piece. Baste in place.
Step Three: Assemble the Bag Outside
- Place the two outside bag pieces together, right sides facing. Stitch along the two sides and the bottom of the bag.
- Do not stitch inside the square you cut out on the bottom of the bag.
- Press seams open. When stitching the side seams, take care not to catch the casing pieces.
- Pinch the bottom corner of the bag so that the side and bottom seams are on top of each other and the raw edges of the cut-out square are even. Stitch in place. Repeat for the other bag corner.
Step Four: Sew the Bag Lining
- Repeat for the bag lining pieces (you do not attach a casing to those pieces).
Step Five: Sew the Bag Lining and Bag Outside piece to each other
- Turn the bag’s right side out. Slip it into the bag lining piece (which is wrong side out). The right sides of the fabrics should be facing each other. Match the side seams and centers.
- Stitch around the perimeter of the bag, leaving a 4″ opening. I like to sew 2″ from the center on one side of the bag around the bag and stop 2″ from the center of the bag on the other side.
- Turn the bag’s right side out through the opening.
Finishing:
- Press well. Topstitch around the top of the bag (on the bag, not the casing), making sure to catch the opening in the bag as you sew.
- Cut two pieces of ribbon 42″ long each.
- Feed one piece through the bag’s casing and knot on the other side. Feed the other ribbon through the bag, starting on the opposite side of the bag. Knot the ends.
- Pull up on the drawstrings, and you’re ready to use your laundry bag!
If you’re new to sewing, check out our post with 50 Sewing Projects perfect for Beginners!
More Free Bag Sewing Patterns:
How to Make a Simple Tote with a Canvas Bottom
How to Make a Drawstring Backpack
Kids’ Library Bag Sewing Pattern
Super cute idea, just in time for summer travels! Thanks for pattern and idea! 🙂
Hi, I have almost completed this project according to your directions. As i am new to sewing I try to take each step carefully.
Now that I have my bag completely together I cannot add the draw string since the step two instructions said to put the RAW EDGE OF THE BAG AND THE FOLDED EDGE OF THE CASING, together. That left the raw edge of the casing open.
Was this a missed edit. Should I have put the two raw edges together.
Thank you.
Jenny Hopper
Step Two: Sew the Casing to the Bag Outside Pieces
Pin the bag casing to the bag outside piece along the top edge. The raw edges of the bag front and folded casing piece will be flush and the casing should be centered in the bag outside piece. Stitch in place.
It is correct. The raw edge of the FOLDED piece is flush with the raw edge of the bag. The folded piece has two sides. One side is the fold and the other side is the raw edge of the fabric. The fold is down and the raw edge is up.
Thanks for the super cute pattern! I’m a little confused with where to place the casing in step 2. From the final pictures, it looks like the casing sticks up from the top of the bag by about 0.5″. But the instructions say to place the casing flush with the top of the bag. Also, is the casing placed on the right or the wrong side of the outside piece of the bag?
The raw edge of the casing is even with the raw edge of the bag. When you turn the bag right side out the casing sticks out the top.
I just made one and it is so cute, thank you for sharing!