Keepin’ It Super Simple!
The laundry in my house has a mind of its own and the pile keeps growing! With two girls in the fam, there are many sparkly, glittery, delicate things that need to be washed. Translation: glitter and sequins everywhere! To keep the glitz off the rest of the wash, I like to use laundry bags.
blue & gray bags are crazy old & made
from men’s dress shirts
Skill Level- 1 Button
Materials:
- fabric
- zipper
- trims/scraps
- Color Fast Fabric Sheet for the printer (optional)
**Since I know that many of you like to print out a hard copy of the article to use as a reference while sewing, I have created an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing and ad-free. Find more here. The blog post and video are totally free to read, print, and sew! The PDF tutorial & download for $2 is totally optional.
Basic Instructions:
- Cut 1 piece of fabric 11 1/2″ x 28 1/2″. This will make a finished bag 11″ wide x 14″ long.
- Turn under each end for a clean finish and single needle topstitch.
- I added some fabric scraps and a fun name tag to make them pretty for my girls. The name tag was super simple to make. I used June Tailor Sew in Colorfast fabric sheets and a frame graphic from the Graphics Fairy. (Love her!)
- To keep the project easy, I am adding the zipper to the outside of the bag. *meaning the zipper tape is exposed on the face of the bag. Pin zipper in place and with your zipper foot attachment, straight stitch the zipper to each end. **Tip- place a ruler between the layers of your bag when pinning. This will prevent you from pinning through both layers.
- Depending on the length of your zipper, you may need to open and close the zipper when stitching to accommodate bulk from the zipper head. I added an extra zig-zag stitch along the bottom edge of the tape for stability. *if using a zipper that is longer, just be sure to bar tack at the end as a stopper.
- Turn your bag right side out and add a fabric loop if you like. To make the loop fold a scrap in half lengthwise and zig-zag down the center for stability. Fold the stitched loop in half again and stitch to the upper corner of your bag. I even added a row of 1/4″ single needle stitching along the top edge to keep the bag from twisting.
To keep the Gremlins on their best behavior, I am also having the girls use one bag for socks. This way, when the laundry comes out of the dryer, there is less sorting for me and all the socks have mates! Now that will simplify my life!
Remember, Keep It, Super Simple!!
Happy Crafting!
~Heather
ps- This entire project was made from reclaimed materials! The bags were made from an old curtain & the zippers were from old clothing items.
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Comments & Reviews
I just love all of your “how to” ‘s!! I thought I could use old pillow cases and embellish them for the granddaughters who are in college. Hugs, K
**Blushing!** Yes, a pillowcase would work. You can get two out of each case if you cut it right. Send me pictures- I would love to see them finished!
This is such a great idea! My husband is in the military so he has 4 different kinds of socks. This will save me soooo much time on laundry days! Thank you!
That is great! I am so glad it is helpful. My girls are already putting socks in the bags and are super excited to know they will always be returned. One word to the wise, depending on how much is in the bags they might need additional time in the dryer.
Good idea, friends daughter is graduating this year, good and different gift. I love the colors too. On my to do list ! Thanks,
Beth, that is a great idea! Perfect for anyone off to college! Please share pictures of your finished bags.
~Heather
Thanks for the tutorial – they turned out cute!
So cute! Have been planning this for a while also as have lots of muslin/linen left. Never thought of embellishments tho!
Great bags – love that they’re all recycled. and they’re such a good idea to keep the glitter and sparkles at bag! I need to make myself some of those!
I would love if you came over and linked this project to my weekly Round Tuit party at:
http://jembellish.blogspot.com/
Have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
So glad that you liked them! Yes, most of my projects are reclaimed in someway, shape or form.
Check your in box… you have mail!
~Heather
These are super cute Heather and handy too!!! I’m so glad you linked up this week!! Lots going on right now, I’ll email you soon!
Thanks! I think they turned out so cute and my girls love them. They have been used all week and I am now NOT pairing socks with the laundry. Huge in my mind! Crazy boat here too! I get it- let’s connect when you can.
These are adorable!! I actually need one for myself to be honest. I do belly dancing and let me tell you how unhappy my hubby can get when I get glitter on his clothes. Heh. Poor thing will be thrilled when I can put my dance outfits into these bags instead!
Maybe you could teach me a step or two. I am part of the two left foot club!! These bags are super easy to make and will zip together in no time flat.
We were just talking about needing something for socks! I like the “1 button” difficulty because that’s about all I can do 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This is great! Would you please share this with our readers for Fun Stuff Fridays? http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/01/fun-stuff-fridays-6.html
would love it if you could share this on my link party
http://serenityyou.blogspot.com/search/label/Serenity%20Saturday
Natasha
Such a cute Idea I love them I might just have to make a few of these. Today is National Delurking day so I thought I would leave a comment instead of just lurking here. You have such a lovely blog.
Glad that you like it. Love that you popped out to say hello on “Delurking day!!
This is so cute – nicely done!
Thanks so much for linking to “20 Below Thursday”! 🙂
Very cute & Practical!! Thanks for linking up to TGIF! See you next week,
Beth =-)
These are super cute!
Thanks for sharing this on the Take it on Tuesday blog hop!!
Heather- congrats on being one of the Featured Crafters at GraphicsFairy this week. These are really cute and I love that you used reclaimed materials to make them 🙂
Smiles, Suzanne in NW Illinois
WHYCUZICAN
thanks so much Suzanne for the “I Spy”!
These are great. I saw the post for your blog on The Graphics Fairy.
Love this post! I’m having a linky party, and would love for you to join! Here is the link http://www.thesouthernproductqueen.com/one-stop-shoppe-linky-party-3 Thanks for sharing!!!
So glad you enjoyed the how to. I am all linked up!
how cute!!!
Thanks for linking up to Serenity Saturday
Hope to see you next time
Natasha xx
Great tutorial ~ very nice project.
New follower from the Thursday hop. It’s great to meet you and check out your blog.
I discovered your site today, what great ideas you have, and oh so cute!
So glad to stopped by to say hello Gloria!
Do you use these like mesh laundry bags?
Yes, I do Charlotte. My girls love that they have there own.
~Heather
You are a certifiable genius!!! I have a washer that DH won’t get rid of the eats all my good clothes. Thank you so much for the idea. Great site by the way.
Forgive my typos, please. It is almost 2 am and I should be sleeping.