Our family travels a lot – from work travel to travel sports to overseas and vacation travel, we’re gone a LOT. I sewed everyone a travel laundry bag last winter and they’re great! Just big enough for a week or so if laundry, and it’s easy to wash WITH your laundry for a clean bag after.
This is basic bag construction. You will cut your bag with the length and width you prefer, with 1/2″ seam allowances and a 1.5″ seam allowance on the top for the cord to go through.
Cut 2 of the bag sides (or one, folded over) and lay the pieces right side together. Stitch around 3 sides (or the bottom and one side if you’re making it with a piece of folded fabric). You can use a serger, or zigzag or even pinking shears to finish the seams inside the bag.
Fold down the top a half inch, press, and then another 3/4 inch and press again. This will create the casing for your cord. Stitch around the top fold you created, leaving a 1″ gap and backstitch each side of the gap (this will not be closed up and the cord will come out this opening). Thread cord through the casing and leave long tails. Thread the tails through a cord lock and then knot them together.
Voila! An easy to sew gift. If you have a home vinyl cutter you can make fun graphics like Ann’s Laundry and heat-transfer them onto the bag (I didn’t bother with this.). Each person in my family has a different color of fabric so we can keep them apart.
You can also use this bag for shoes – make a few more and slip shoes in them before packing in your suitcase.
