Sewing Tutorial: Make a Denim Laundry Bag

Want to get your hands on some of this fabulous denim? We can’t blame you!

Contact your local shops to see if they carry it, and check out the full collection of chambrays and denims on the Robert Kaufman website.

We had fun choosing the Dritz® hardware for this bag. D-rings, grommets, a swivel hook, cotton belting – they look great, but they add a professional finished touch and tons of functionality, too. Regardless of the DIY project you’re working on, don’t forget the hardware!

1) Cut the fabric, batting & interfacing pieces as noted in the supply list above. 

TIP: Use Omnigrid® rulers, rotary cutter and cutting mat for precise fabric cuts. We used the 6″ square ruler for the small fabric pieces and the 6″ x 24″ ruler for the larger pieces.

2) Pin and stitch top stripe to solid bottom along 48” side. Use a ½” seam. We used a serger to stitch our ½” seams. Press seam towards solid bottom. Topstitch on solid bottom about ¼” from seam. 

3) Print a large monogram letter from your computer. Remember to print as a mirror image. Using paper-backed fusible web and solid denim make a monogram letter following package instructions. 

4) Fold bag in half widthwise, wrong sides together, and lay on work surface with raw edges to the right. Cut out letter, remove backing and center on striped top of folded bag about 2” up from seam. Fuse to bag.

5) Apply stabilizer to wrong side of bag directly behind letter. With wide satin stitch, stitch around letter. Tear away stabilizer from wrong side of bag.

6) Fuse pieced interfacing strips to wrong side at top edge of bag. With ½” seam, serger (or stitch) side seam, right sides together. Press seam to one side. Serge top edge to finish. Fold top edge down 2” and press. 

7) Fold swivel hook tab in half with right sides together. Stitch with 1/2″ seam. Turn right side out and press, centering seam. Top stitch along both edges. Loop tab through swivel hook and align raw ends. Stitch across tab near swivel hook. On inside of bag, center tab over side seam and 3-1/2” from top edge; pin. Fold top of bag down and topstitch 1-3/4” from top edge.

8) For grommet placement, measure 5-7/8” from seam and 1” down from top. Mark and continue to move along top edge to mark grommet positions every 5-7/8”. Apply grommets following package instructions, and check out the grommets tutorial on our website.

9) Sandwich batting between denim circles with wrong sides together. Baste layers together. Divide circle and lower edge of bag into quarters and mark with pins. 

10) Pin bottom circle to lower edge of bag, right sides together, matching pins. Stitch with ½” seam. Serger edges to finish.

11) Cut 5” piece of belting for hanging hook. Loop belting through 1 D-ring and align raw ends. Stitch close to D-ring. Cut 30” piece of belting for strap and align end with D-ring ends. Baste together. Cut 6” piece of belting for strap D-rings. Loop belting through 2 D-rings; align raw ends and stitch about ½” from loop.

12) Press both long edges of strap covers under 1/2”. Press 1 short edge under 1/4”. Open 1 long edge of cover and center D-ring hook/strap on wrong side of cover aligning raw edge with open fold. (D-ring side is down.) Fold top edge down; pin. Wrap raw edge side around belting first and then folded edge side; pin. Baste down center fold. Repeat for double D-ring strap.

13) Position strap end with hook over side seam and down 2” from top edge. Place double D-ring strap end over side seam and 2” up from bottom seam. Stitch around edges of strap covers and an “X” through the centers to secure.

14) Cut end of strap at an angle and stitch to keep from unraveling. Apply some Fray Check™ to minimize fraying. Loop strap end through both D-rings and then back through just the top D-ring to form shoulder strap. Adjust to desired length.

15) Stitch long ends of cord lock, right sides together, with 1/4” seam. Turn right side out and press, centering seam. Bring raw edges together, seam side out, and stitch with 1/4″ seam. Turn seam to inside and press lightly to flatten slightly. Stitch 5/16” from each fold to create narrow openings for cable cord.  

16) Tape ends of cable cord tightly. Weave back and forth between grommets. Use a bodkin to thread cord ends through cord lock. It should be able to slide but with some resistance.

TIP: Not familiar with what a bodkin is? See more here.

17) Knot cords at desired length and trim ends. Apply some Liquid Stitch™ fabric glue to top and bottom of knot to keep it secure.