Sew linen laundry bags: free sewing pattern

You will need

For the laundry bag
● 2 rectangles of linen 60cm x 80cm
● 2.8m piping cord, cut in half
● 1.3m cotton tape 2cm wide, cut in half
● Tailor’s chalk or fabric pencil
● Grey embroidery thread

How to make

Using tailor’s chalk or fabric pencil, draw the word ‘Linen’ low down on one rectangle of the bag and embroider in simple running stitch.

With right sides facing, and taking a 1cm seam allowance, stitch the front to the back section on three sides, leaving the top section open. Notch the corners of the fabric using scissors. Turn to right side.

Make a turning of 2cm at the top of the bag by folding the fabric twice to the inside of the fabric to hide the raw edges, and iron flat. Topstitch in place using a sewing machine.

Fold the raw ends of the cotton tape to the inside by 1cm and topstitch in place. Topstitch the two lengths of casing to the top of the bag approximately 2.5cm from the top edge, stitching along both top and bottom of the tape. Leave the sides open to insert the piping cord.

Thread one cord through the opening in one side and out again on the same side, using a safety pin to help thread it through. Knot ends together. Repeat with the other piece of cord at the opposite side seam.

Linen, from £4 per m; piqué fabric, from £2.50 per m: both www.classic-textiles.com. White cotton tape and embroidery thread, from a selection at www.johnlewis.com

Feature: Catherine Woram. Photos: Richard Burns

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