How to Make a Simple and Easy Blanket Bag 👜👜

Want to whip up a quick and easy blanket bag? It's a fantastic project for beginners and super practical for storing throws, carrying a picnic blanket, or keeping an extra comforter tidy. This guide focuses on a simple drawstring style, making it incredibly straightforward to sew.

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How to Make a Simple and Easy Blanket Bag

This method uses basic shapes and techniques, making it achievable for anyone with a sewing machine. The beauty of this bag lies in its simplicity and versatility.

I. What Makes This Bag Simple & Easy?

• Rectangular Shape: We'll be cutting just one main rectangle of fabric. No tricky curves or multiple pattern pieces.
• Drawstring Closure: Much easier than a zipper or buttons, and very effective for a blanket bag.
• No Lining (Optional): To keep it super simple, we can skip a full lining. If your fabric is prone to fraying, we'll use a simple finished seam or serge the edges.

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II. Gather Your Materials

Choose a fabric that's durable enough to hold a blanket, but not too heavy that it's difficult to sew.

1. Main Fabric:
   • Recommendation: 1.5 to 2 yards (1.4 to 1.8 meters) of a medium-to-heavyweight fabric.
   • Good Choices:
     • Canvas or Duck Cloth: Very durable and comes in many colors and prints. Great for outdoor blankets.
     • Home Décor Fabric: Often thicker and comes in lovely patterns, perfect for throws.
     • Denim: Sturdy and classic, could even upcycle old jeans for a patchwork look.
     • Heavy Cotton Twill: A good all-around choice.
   • Tip: Consider if you want a bag that breathes for natural fibers, or something more protective for outdoor use.
2. Drawstring Cord:
   • Recommendation: About 2.5 to 3 yards (2.3 to 2.7 meters) of cotton cording, rope, or sturdy ribbon (e.g., 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch wide). Choose something strong that won't fray easily.
3. Thread: All-purpose polyester thread that matches or complements your fabric.
4. Basic Sewing Supplies:
   • Sewing Machine
   • Fabric Shears or Rotary Cutter and Mat
   • Quilting Ruler or Measuring Tape
   • Fabric Chalk or Mark-B-Gone Pen
   • Pins or Fabric Clips
   • Iron and Ironing Board
   • Safety Pin or Bodkin (for threading the drawstring)
   • Seam Ripper (just in case!)

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III. Determine Size & Cut Your Fabric

The size of your blanket bag depends on the blanket! A good rule of thumb is to measure your folded blanket and add extra for height and width.

Let's assume you want a bag for a standard throw blanket, resulting in a finished bag about 20 inches wide x 24 inches tall (51 cm x 61 cm).

We'll use a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance throughout.

Cutting Formulas (with 1/2" SA):

• Bag Width: Finished width + 1 inch (for 1/2" SA on each side) = 20" + 1" = 21 inches
• Bag Height: (Finished height * 2) + 1 inch (for bottom SA) + 6 inches (for casing) = (24" * 2) + 1" + 6" = 48" + 1" + 6" = 55 inches

Your Cut Piece:

• Main Fabric: Cut 1 rectangle, 21 inches wide x 55 inches high (53.3 cm x 139.7 cm).

  • Why one large piece? This avoids a bottom seam, making it super simple!

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IV. Let's Start Sewing!

Quick Tips for Best Results:

• Press as you go! Ironing helps seams lie flat and creates a neat finish.
• Backstitch at the beginning and end of every seam to secure it.
• Finish Raw Edges (Optional but Recommended): To prevent fraying, you can zigzag stitch or serge the side raw edges of your fabric before sewing the main seam. This isn't strictly necessary for all fabrics, but it will make your bag more durable over time.

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Step 1: Hem the Top Edges for the Drawstring Casing

The "top" edges of your single large fabric piece will become the opening for your bag.

1. Take your large fabric rectangle. Lay it flat, wrong side up.
2. Along both of the shorter (21-inch) edges, fold the raw edge over towards the wrong side by 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) and press.
3. Fold over again by 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) and press firmly. This creates a sturdy hem for your drawstring casing.
4. Stitch along the inner folded edge of this hem, leaving both ends open. Sew about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) from the folded edge. This forms the channel for your drawstring. Repeat for both shorter edges.

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Step 2: Sew the Side Seams

This simple step forms the body of your bag.

1. Fold your large fabric rectangle in half lengthwise, right sides together. The two hemmed casing edges should align perfectly at the top.
2. Pin along both long raw side edges.
3. Using a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance, stitch down each side, starting from just below your casing stitching down to the bottom fold. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seams.
4. Press your side seams open.

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Step 3: Box the Corners (Optional, for a Flat Bottom)

If you want your blanket bag to have a flat bottom instead of being a simple tube, box the corners. If you prefer a tube-style bag, skip this step.

1. Lay the bag flat, with one of the side seams aligned with the bottom fold.
2. At one of the bottom corners, bring the side seam and the bottom fold together, aligning them perfectly. This forms a triangular shape at the corner.
3. Measure from the tip of this triangle inward along the seam line a distance equal to half of your desired bag depth. (For a 5-inch deep bag, you'd measure 2.5 inches / 6.35 cm).
4. Draw a straight line perpendicular to the seam at this measurement point. This is your new stitching line.
5. Pin firmly along this drawn line.
6. Stitch precisely along the drawn line, backstitching securely at both ends.
7. Trim the excess fabric from the corner, leaving about a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance beyond your new stitching line.
8. Repeat this exact process for the other bottom corner of your bag.

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Step 4: Thread the Drawstring

Now, to make it a drawstring bag!

1. Turn the bag right side out.
2. Find the opening in one of your casings (the hemmed channel you made in Step 1).
3. Attach a safety pin or bodkin to one end of your drawstring cord.
4. Thread the cord through the casing, all the way around the top opening of the bag, until it emerges from the same opening where you started.
5. Optional: To prevent the cord from being pulled out, you can tie the two ends together in a knot. For a neater look, you can fold the cord ends under and stitch them (or use cord caps if you have them).

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V. Finishing Touches & Styling

Your simple blanket bag is complete!

• Press Well: Give the entire bag a good press to make it crisp and neat.
• Test it Out: Cinch the drawstring tight to close the bag.
• Add a Label: If you have a custom fabric label, this is a great place to sew it on.
• Embellish: For a more stylish touch, you could add patches, embroidery, or fabric paint before you sew the bag.

This simple bag is incredibly versatile – perfect for storing blankets, laundry, toys, or even as a casual beach bag. Enjoy your easy-to-sew creation!

Video Tutorial 👇👇