How to sew a sports bag

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Plastic bags and old backpacks are usually called to duty to carry gym gear, but they don’t look (or smell!) all that great. Make working out a more aesthetically pleasing experience by sewing your own sports bag in a pretty fabric.

Ours (pictured) has a water-proof pocket for swimmers and towels, a removable bag to store your running shoes in, and is big enough for all your essentials, from yoga mat to tennis racket.

Directions for making sports bag

Step 1:

Cut out all pattern pieces, from both fabric and lining. Sew elastic casing on back pocket piece then thread elastic through, leaving enough elastic to overlap at each end. Place pocket in position on back piece of bag and pin in place.

Step 2 (handle):

Pin right sides of handle together then sew around outside, leaving one short end open. Turn right side out then attach handle to side of bag and sew in place.

Step 3:

With right sides together, pin the side pieces to the front and back of the bag. Sew together all thicknesses, making sure to catch the elasticised back pocket

Step 4:

Take the lining pieces, and repeat step 3 (but leave a small opening at the bottom of the bag, to ensure the main part can be pulled through).

Step 5 (attached clothes bag):

Repeat step 4 to make attached clothes bag.

Step 6 (attached clothes bag):

Turn waterproof bag right side out. Turn lining inside out. Place waterproof bag inside lining then pin both bag and lining together, leaving an opening at the top. Sew around perimeter.

Step 7:

Pin clothes bag to inside of lining (in main bag) along one side, then sew in place.

Step 8 (main bag and lining):

Repeat step 7.

Step 9 (main bag and clothes bag):

Pull bag through the opening in the lining to reveal the bag on the outside, push lining into bag then hand-sew the opening in the lining closed.

Step 10 (main bag and clothes bag):

Sew 1.5cm around the perimeter at the top of the bag. You can either create a button hole, or use eyelets for ribbon to be threaded through. Thread ribbon through and attach cord end.

Step 11:

With right sides together, sew shoe bag together then turn right side out and over-lock all raw edges. To create casing, repeat step 10.
 

Download the pattern here to make your own sports bag.

Photography: Sam McAdam. Styling: Aimee Jones.