Hello, sewing friends! Have you ever lost a sock in the wash or had the strap of a delicate top get tangled around everything else in the machine? It’s a laundry day problem we’ve all faced. But what if you could solve it with a fun, fast, and easy sewing project?
Today, I’m going to show you exactly how to sew a mesh laundry bag. This isn’t just any sewing tutorial; it’s a guide for true beginners. We’ll go step-by-step, using simple techniques to create something incredibly useful.
This project is perfect for protecting lingerie, keeping face masks together, or even washing small baby clothes. By the end, you’ll not only have a wonderful DIY lingerie bag, but you’ll also have learned some great basic sewing skills. So, turn on your sewing machine, and let’s get started!
Why Make Your Own Laundry Bag?
You might see mesh bags in stores, but making your own is so much better. First, you get to pick your own fun fabrics to add a personal touch. Second, this is one of the best easy sewing projects for building confidence. You’ll practice sewing straight lines, working with different materials, and finishing seams like a pro.
Plus, a handmade bag is a thoughtful and practical gift. It’s a project that’s as rewarding to make as it is to use.
Gathering Your Supplies for This Easy Sewing Project
Before we start sewing, let’s get our materials together. This project uses common supplies you might already have in your craft corner. Don’t worry about getting the measurements perfect—a little off here or there is totally fine! The finished bag will be about 14 inches by 17 inches.
Here is what you will need:
| Category | Item | Details / Measurements |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Cotton Fabric | Two pieces: 4″ x 14″ One piece: 8″ x 14″ |
| Mesh Fabric | Two pieces: 14″ x 14″ | |
| Notions | Double-Fold Bias Tape | 1 yard (this will finish the side seams) |
| Velcro (hook and loop tape) | One 10-inch long piece, ¾-inch wide | |
| Tools | Sewing Machine | A basic machine is perfect. |
| Thread | Choose a color that matches your cotton fabric. | |
| Scissors or Rotary Cutter | For cutting your fabric. | |
| Iron and Ironing Board | Pressing is key to a professional finish! | |
| Clips or Pins | To hold your fabric together. | |
| Glue Stick (optional) | A little school glue helps hold the Velcro in place for sewing. |
How to Sew a Mesh Laundry Bag: Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to make your laundry bag for delicates? We’ll take it one step at a time. Read through each step before you start, and remember to enjoy the process!
Step 1: Prepare Your Cotton Fabric Bands
First, we will prepare the cotton fabric pieces that will become the top, bottom, and center bands of our bag. An iron is your best friend here!
Take one of your 4″ x 14″ cotton pieces and place it wrong-side-up on your ironing board. Fold it in half lengthwise (like a hot dog bun) and press it with your iron to create a sharp crease down the middle.
Now, open it back up. Fold the top raw edge down to meet that center crease you just made, and press it. Then, fold the bottom raw edge up to meet the center crease and press it again. Finally, fold the whole thing in half along that original center crease. You’ll have a perfectly folded 1″ x 14″ fabric band.
Repeat this entire process with the second 4″ x 14″ piece. Set these two finished bands aside. For the larger 8″ x 14″ piece, we’ll do something a little different. Just fold the two long edges in by about half an inch and press them. This will hide the raw edges for later.
Step 2: Attaching the Mesh to the Center Band
Now it’s time to connect our pieces. Take your 8″ x 14″ cotton piece (the one you just pressed the edges on) and one of your 14″ x 14″ mesh pieces.
Lay the cotton piece right-side-up. Place the raw edge of the mesh fabric on top of it, lining it up with one of the long edges of the cotton. The mesh should slightly overlap the cotton.
Take this to your sewing machine and stitch the mesh to the cotton, sewing close to the edge of the mesh. Now, fold the cotton piece over the raw edge of the mesh. This will neatly hide the raw edge inside the cotton band. To secure it, sew a topstitch along the folded edge of the cotton.
Repeat this on the other side of the cotton band with your second piece of mesh. When you’re done, you’ll have a large panel: mesh, then cotton, then mesh again.
Step 3: Adding the Top and Bottom Bands
Let’s grab those two folded bands we made in the first step. These will become the top and bottom edges of our bag.
Take one band and open it up. Tuck the raw edge of the top piece of mesh inside the fold, pushing it all the way to the center crease. Use your clips or pins to hold it securely in place.
Sew two straight lines to attach this band. The first line of stitching should be very close to the inner edge of the band (the edge closest to the mesh). The second line should be close to the outer edge. Sewing two lines makes the bag extra strong.
Do the exact same thing to attach the other band to the bottom piece of mesh. Your bag is now starting to take shape!
Step 4: A Simple Trick for Attaching the Velcro
A Velcro closure makes this bag easy to open and close. To place it perfectly, fold the top band of your bag in half to find the center point. Do the same with your Velcro pieces to find their centers.
This is where the glue stick comes in handy! Put a little bit of glue on the back of one Velcro piece and press it onto the inside of the top band, matching up your center marks. The glue will hold it perfectly still while you sew.
Stitch all the way around the rectangle of the Velcro piece. Then, do the same for the other Velcro piece on the opposite side of the bag’s opening, making sure they line up.
Step 5: Finishing the Seams with Bias Tape
Our last step is to close up the sides of the bag. This is a great opportunity to learn how to use bias tape, a skill you’ll use in many future sewing for beginners projects.
Fold your bag in half, with the cotton bands at the top and bottom and the raw mesh edges aligned on the sides.
Take your double-fold bias tape. Open one end and fold the raw edge under by about half an inch. Now, sandwich the raw edge of your bag inside the bias tape, using clips to hold it all together. When you get to the bottom, trim the bias tape, leaving an extra half-inch to fold under just like you did at the top.
Sew a straight line down the bias tape, staying close to the edge. Go slowly and check that your needle is catching both the front and back of the tape. Repeat on the other side of the bag.
FAQs
How to use mesh laundry bags for delicates?
Place your delicate clothes inside the bag. Do not overfill it. Close the bag securely. Then, put the entire bag in the washing machine. Wash it with your regular laundry load. It’s that easy.
How do mesh bags protect laundry?
The bag acts as a protective barrier. It stops straps from tangling around other items. It prevents snags from zippers or buttons. The mesh fabric still lets water and soap pass through. This way, your clothes get clean and stay safe.
What is a delicate laundry bag?
A delicate laundry bag is another name for a mesh laundry bag. It is a bag made of mesh material. You use it to wash fragile clothes. This includes items like lingerie, silk, or sweaters.
How to fill a mesh laundry bag?
You should not pack the bag too tightly. Your clothes need room to move. This helps them get properly cleaned. A good rule is to fill the bag about two-thirds full. This gives the best results.
Your Beautifully Finished Mesh Bag!
And just like that, you’re done! You’ve learned how to sew a mesh laundry bag from start to finish. You now have a sturdy, reusable, and stylish bag that’s ready for laundry day. It’s perfect for keeping your delicates safe, washing a whole batch of face masks, or even storing small toys.
You should be proud of what you’ve made. Every stitch is a step forward on your sewing journey.
A Fun and Useful Project for Any Sewer
This DIY lingerie bag is more than just a useful item; it’s a fantastic learning experience. You’ve practiced pressing, topstitching, and finishing seams with bias tape—all essential skills for any sewer. We hope this simple guide has shown you how easy and rewarding sewing can be.
Now that you’ve mastered this, the possibilities are endless!
What will you use your new handmade laundry bag for? Share your ideas in the comments below