This waterproof lined wet bag is ideal for storing in your change bag to stash wet bibs, clothes or reusable nappies in when out and about without making your change bag wet. I have made mine approximately 28cm square but you can adjust the measurements to your requirements.
I have chosen this lovely gender neutral fat quarter bundle from Craft Cotton Co for mine – why not stitch one up and fill with a few baby essentials for a thoughtful baby shower gift?
What you will need:
⦁ Sewing machine
⦁ Scissors or rotary cutter
⦁ Ruler
⦁ Pencil
⦁ Pins
⦁ 30cm zip (you can trim a longer zip down)
⦁ 0.5m outer fabric
⦁ 0.5m waterproof lining (I am using interfaced shower curtain fabric; you could use any other light waterproof fabric)
First, cut out your fabrics. Press all fabric before cutting.
You will need:
⦁ Outer fabric: 2 pieces measuring 30cm x 30cm
⦁ Waterproof lining: 2 pieces measuring 30cm x 30cm
⦁ Zip ends: 2 pieces measuring 3cm x 8cm
⦁ Strap: 2 pieces measuring 5cm x 30cm. I have used a coordinating fabric for my zip ends and strap, you can do this or use the same as your outer fabric
Prepare your zip
Turn under and press 0.5cm on each short end of your 3cm x 8cm pieces then fold in half and press. These are your zip ends. Insert the zip into a zip end and fix in place with craft glue on the folded edges (I find this more effective than pins) then stitch back and forth to secure.
Secure the other zip end onto the zip in the same way, trimming the zip first if necessary to ensure the final length is 30cm.
Attach your zip Position one piece of your outer fabric right side up (taking note of any directional prints). Place zip face down (so the teeth are touching the fabric) aligned with the top edge of the fabric. Place lining right side down, aligning the top edges. Your outer and lining fabrics should be right sides together with the zip sandwiched in the middle.
Pin well and sew along the top edge, securing the zip to both pieces remembering to move the zip pull out of the way as necessary. Zig zag stitch along the edge you just stitched to reinforce and prevent fraying.
Press the outer and lining fabric away from the zip so these are now wrong sides together and repeat the above process to attach the other edge of the zip to the remaining outer and lining pieces.
Top stitch alongside the zip, making sure you stitch through the lining as well as the outer fabric.
Make the strap Turn under and press 0.5cm along each long edge of your strap pieces.
Place wrong sides together and top stitch along each long edge, close to the edge, to secure. Fold in half lengthways so that the unfinished ends meet.
Note: You could sew a tube and turn if you prefer. Position your strap where you would like it at the opposite side to the zip pull when done up. Stitch in place close to the edge of only the outer piece to secure.
Stitch your bag together Unzip your zip at least half way – this is important!
Pin the outer pieces together and the lining pieces together. Fold the zip ends so that they go towards the lining side.
Leave a turning hole in the outer fabric. Mine is marked by the double red pins. Note: I would usually leave a turning hole in the lining of a project, it has been left in the outer here to maximise the water resistance of the lining.
Stitch all the way around your wet bag (except your turning hole) using a 1cm seam allowance. Remember to back stitch at the beginning and end to reinforce the stitches by your turning hole.
Finish your seams Finish your seams in your preferred way; I like to trim the seam allowance with pinking shears. Press open the seams on the outer fabric (there is no need to do this on the lining). Make sure you press the turning hole accurately to make stitching it up easier.
Turn your wet bag right side out carefully through your turning hole and poke out the corners and zip ends. Give the outer fabric a good press.
Hand stitch your turning hole closed and push the lining inside the bag.
You are finished!
© by Rachel Pinney at The Craft Half for The Craft Cotton Company 2017