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DIY Travel Bag

Here are the steps to make this super easy travel or toiletries bag. Take out your sewing machine or if you're feeling brave, sew this by hand. Either way it's super easy and no background in sewing is necessary!
Active Time1 hour
Keyword: DIY, easy, organized, toiletries bag, travel bag
Yield: 1 toiletries bag
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Sewing Machine (optional)

Materials

  • approx 1/2 yard Fabric thick or heavy duty
  • 1 Zipper 15 inches or longer
  • Matching thread
  • Sewing shears
  • Hand sewing needle if not using machine
  • Pins

Instructions

  • First, review this pattern I created. You're going to need to reference this later.
  • Using a ruler and something to mark with (chalk, etc), measure, trace and cut out the pattern from your fabric using the measurements provided.
  • After you're done, your fabric should look like this.
  • Sew the zipper to the cut out fabric by stitching the right side of your zipper to side A of your fabric, right sides together.
  • Take the left side of your zipper and sew it onto side B by stitching the right sides together. This will connect side A to side C and ultimately make your fabric look like a hot dog. Unzip your zipper halfway (this is super important in making sure you're able to turn your bag inside out after sewing is completed so don't forget).
  • Next, you are going to take the short side of your bag (side B) and using a 1/2 seam allowance, stitch it right sides together. Repeat on side D.
  • Your bag should now resemble this shape. Reference this photo for the next step.
  • Here's where the bag starts to come together. Fold corner #1 flat, pinch together with Side D and pin.
  • Repeat on the other three corners. It should look something like this.
  • Using a half inch seam allowance, sew the pinned sides together. You should now have something that resembles a 3D rectangle.
  • Cut off the excess zipper, threads and turn inside out.
  • Voila! You have a brand new travel bag! You can choose to add a front storage pocket by stitching on an extra piece of fabric to the front or you can leave it plain! Customize it however you want and be sure to post your creations and tag @theseatofonespants so that I can see them as well! :)