Craft Your Own Stylish Gym Bag: A DIY Guide

Staying organized while juggling a busy schedule and family commitments can be a challenge, especially for those of us trying to maintain an active lifestyle. For Rachel Denbow and her family, rejoining the gym was an exciting step towards health and wellness, but it also brought along a small logistical challenge: managing gym essentials, especially when accompanied by a little one. To address this, Rachel crafted a DIY gym bag that is not only functional but stylish, perfect for anyone looking to make their gym visits or weekend getaways more convenient. Here’s how you can make your own.

Materials Needed:

  • One yard of colored canvas, denim, or outdoor fabric (36″ x 60″)—blush pink is a lovely choice.
  • Three yards of 2″ (38mm) nylon or cotton webbing for handles.
  • 22″ sport zipper in a coordinating color.
  • 12″ brass hoop or wooden embroidery hoop for marking.
  • Fabric scissors.
  • Straight pins.
  • Sewing machine.
  • Thread in coordinating colors.
  • Chalk or fabric marking pen.
  • Yardstick.
  • Iron and ironing board.

Step 1: Prepare the Fabric

Start by cutting your chosen fabric into a piece that measures 27″ wide by 40″ tall. This will form the main body of your bag. Then, cut this piece in half to create two panels, each measuring 27″ x 20″. Set these aside.

Step 2: Create the Base Circles

From the remaining fabric, cut out four circles. To do this, fold your fabric into quarters to layer it into four. Place a 12″ hoop on the fabric as a guide, trace the circle, and carefully cut through all four layers. These circles will form the ends of your gym bag.

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Step 3: Attach the Zipper

Take two small pieces of scrap fabric, each measuring about 1.25″ x 4″. Pin these to each end of your zipper, right sides facing each other, and stitch about 1/4″ from the edge. Fold the fabric on the seams and press flat, then top-stitch close to the fold. This finishes the ends of your zipper neatly.