And sometimes we have to do laundry, whilst also living in small spaces, am I right again?
Enter the big blue Ikea bag. I don't know if you've discovered this yet, but those boxy bags are the perfect size and shape for a load of laundry. And unlike laundry baskets, they can be squished into taking up almost no space.
Things are reallllly getting exciting here.
But wait. Starting today, with this free pattern, YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN.
Because maybe caustic royal blue doesn't match everyone's decor. Maybe you don't want to be reminded of Ikea every time you do laundry. Maybe you want a laundry bag that's gingham, or one covered in cherries.
Deny yourself no more!
Click on the picture above to download! You'll get a free PDF with with fully illustrated instructions and a tiled pattern piece to be printed on 8.5x11 paper. This is a super duper fun and easy project for sewers of all levels!
This works great with oilcloth or laminated cotton. The plastic element mimics the structure of the Ikea bags, and it makes the bag stand open unaided.
I would actually love your feedback regarding anything - and I mean anything - about the pattern. I'm planning to do more in the future, so all opinions or suggestions, criticisms or compliments you might have would be so appreciated! You can leave a comment here, or email me at devon[at]miss make[dot]com.
ALSO, I just started a sad little fledgling Flickr pool for Miss Make patterns, so if you make any laundry bags, post them pleeeaaassee.
So download, sew, and launder away!
ALSO, I just started a sad little fledgling Flickr pool for Miss Make patterns, so if you make any laundry bags, post them pleeeaaassee.
So download, sew, and launder away!
This is awesome, thanks so much! It'll come in so handy.
ReplyDeleteThis is great - Ikea bags are indeed very useful, but not that pretty! Thanks for the pattern, I've pinned it for later and definitely hope to try it out soon.
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea! Off to buy some oilcloth....
ReplyDeleteThank you! This is fantastic -- a signature bag just adds to one's style.
ReplyDeleteAnnie
http://enantiomerproject.blogspot.com/
This looks great! I dragged all my giant rulers and L-squares to patternmaking class in an IKEA bag that was duct-taped in multiple places where the seams started to rip. Everyone laughed at me! I would love a huge bag in a custom fabric, so thanks for sharing your pattern!
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool! I've used my big blue IKEA bags to stash loads of stuff, including hiding junk in the closet. Thanks for sharing a pattern!
ReplyDeleteI love using my Ikea bag to bring all my groceries in at once - saves hurt arms & multiple trips!
ReplyDeleteLove it! But the link does not work for me...
ReplyDeletealice
thanks for the heads up! fixed it :]
DeleteLink doesn't work for me. Would love to make one this weekend...
ReplyDeleteoh no! it works when i click on it. what does it say when you try?
DeleteThat is super fun! Already last year I wanted to make a big beach bag to carry all the stuff for our family of four. I new that the IKEA bag was just the right size (since that is what we use), but never actually took the time to measure it. Well, here I go! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis could be useful for sorting laundy. Make a bag in various fabrics to reflect the type of laundry that should be put in them. Then just grab that bag and wash. The bag could be washed too. Otherwise, I don't know that I'd bother since an IKEA bag only costs 59 cents. It's supposed to be useful, not necessarily pretty. We use them for laundry all the time now. It is much easier to carry than a laundry basket.
ReplyDeletei guess i enjoy the process of sewing, so just because something is cheaper and easier to buy doesn't mean it's not worth it to make my own. if I went by that standard, i'd never sew anything! and sometimes it's nice for useful things to be pretty even if they don't have to be. lord knows i need any pick-me-up i can get when i'm doing chores!
DeleteThere is no step 3 and the instructions for stitching the bottom could be way more clear. I'm excited to make the bag though, I had been planning to make my own pattern when I came across this.
ReplyDeletethanks for the feedback!
DeleteAwesome! But rather than printing out pages & pages that need to be taped together... what are the dimensions of the rectangle? From the fold to the cut edge? And from cut end to cut end? :) Thanks!
ReplyDeletesure! so it's basically a rectangle that's 35.75" x 22.25", minus a rectangle from each corner of one of the long edges that's 6.75"across and 6.125" tall. when you cut, the edge with the two pieces missing goes along the fold.
DeleteI was going to ask this same question! Just found the bag on Pinterest and can't wait to make it. Thanks so much Devon!
DeleteI was also wondering! Thanks for posting the rectangle dimensions, and great free pattern. :)
DeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your tutorial! mcp
ReplyDeleteLove this tutorial! I've made 2 big bags and two small bags by halfling the bigger pattern. There are several changes I made. First, I didnt use the pattern. I figured there wasn't that much to cut off a yard that a yard would surfice. Second, I used a 6 inch square to cut from the sides simply because I have a six inch square tool in my quilting supplies. Thirdly, I inserted a discarded 5 gallon seal into the top to help keep the bag open. My partner works at a bakery and they just discard them - so I was pleased to recycle them (one bag takes 2). Lastly, I serged the edges of the inside of the bag for ascetic reasons- and to hide the uneven cutting of Joann's associates. Great bag! I love mine! -Jennifer
ReplyDeleteWould love to know more about the 5gallon seal you used (like just the rubber seal from a 5gallon pail lid?)
DeleteI love this bag but I can't seem to go to the pattern page. Do you have any ideas on how to get the directions
ReplyDeletePlease disregard my request, I finally got it to work!! Can't wait to make this great bag, thank you for posting it for everyone!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. Thanks for sharing. Would it be possible to do a one page sketch and just fill in measurements? It looks an easy shape and one could just follow the measurements. ie width of fabric, length of bag, width of bag, cut __| shape x inches in and x inches up etc. Hope this is possible. Would be easier for me rather than printing and having huge pattern.
ReplyDeleteooops, sorry didn't read all the comments. I see you gave the measurements. I still think that a diagram with measurements would be a good idea on your pattern page though.
ReplyDeleteIKEA bags are also perfect for carrying boxes! When I order paper it often comes in a box that fits perfectly into an IKEA bag. This project goes on my to-do list!
ReplyDeleteColorful and lovely bags. Just had a look at your studio; lovely bags. I am a very newbie when it comes to bag-making. Love what I have made so far, even if they are 'simple bags'. designer handbag
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm not sure why I never thought of this before -- ingenious! I have a few yards of laminated cotton waiting in my stash, too. . . and we're going to the pool today! Project time!
ReplyDeleteI've been using Ikea blue bags for laundry for years. Now I can make pretty ones!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the free pattern. I did notice that all you really need is 1. what are you using for your scale (piece of typing paper 8x11) 2. Layout of the typing paper 3. How to cut from the design 4. How to sew the item together. Printing out the entire pattern seems like a waste of ink and paper..just an opinion since you did ask for input as to how the pattern is working out. I love the idea, the pattern easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the free pattern, I've been saving bird feed bags and this is the perfect pattern for them :D
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern! Can you possibly just list the dimensions, so it can be cut out with a rotary cutter? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like the pattern and how you wrote everything up. The one thing I would add is the measurements of the length and width of the sides on the pattern. It is a fairly easy pattern and an experienced seamstress could make this without printing out the whole pattern and taping it together. You did a nice job with the directions though.
ReplyDelete