A garment bag is a flat, zippered pouch that holds folded clothes or small items
A garment bag is a straightforward project: two pieces of fabric sewn together on three sides, with a zipper installed along the fourth side. The finished bag is usually 12 to 18 inches wide and 16 to 24 inches tall—large enough to hold a folded shirt, sweater, or several pairs of socks. You can make one in an afternoon with a sewing machine, basic thread, and a zipper that matches your fabric color.
This guide walks you through cutting, preparing the zipper, sewing the seams, and finishing the edges so the bag lasts through years of use. The steps assume you have used a sewing machine before and know how to thread it and adjust tension.
Key Takeaways
- Cut two identical rectangles of fabric, each about 13 by 17 inches, so the finished bag will be roughly 12 by 16 inches after seam allowance.
- Install the zipper along the top edge of one fabric piece before sewing the side seams, using a zipper foot attachment on your machine.
- Sew the three remaining sides with a straight stitch at ¼ inch from the edge, leaving the zipper side open.
- Finish the raw edges inside the bag with a zigzag stitch or pinking shears to prevent fraying and extend the bag's life.
- Press seams flat with an iron after sewing each side to keep the bag looking neat and professional.
Gather your materials and tools
You will need two pieces of fabric—cotton, linen, or a cotton blend works well. Avoid stretchy fabrics like knits unless you are comfortable working with them. Choose a weight that holds its shape; lightweight cotton quilting fabric or home décor cotton is ideal. You also need one zipper that is 1 to 2 inches shorter than the width of your finished bag (so a 12-inch bag needs a 10 or 11-inch zipper), thread that matches your fabric, and a zipper foot—a special presser foot that lets you sew close to the zipper teeth.
Have scissors or a rotary cutter, a ruler or measuring tape, pins, an iron, and your sewing machine ready. If you do not own a zipper foot, you can buy one at any fabric store for $5 to $10 and it will fit most standard machines. Test it on your machine before starting the project.
Cut two identical fabric rectangles to size
Measure and mark two rectangles on your fabric, each 13 inches wide by 17 inches tall. Use a ruler and a fabric pencil or chalk to draw the lines. The extra inch on each dimension accounts for the ¼-inch seam allowance on all four sides, so your finished bag will be 12 by 16 inches. If you want a different finished size, add ½ inch to both the width and height (¼ inch on each side).
Cut both rectangles carefully with sharp scissors or a rotary cutter. Lay them on top of each other and check that they are the same size. If one is slightly smaller, trim the larger one to match. Precision here makes the bag easier to sew and look more polished.
Prepare the zipper and attach it to the first fabric piece
Place one fabric rectangle on your work table, right side up. Lay the zipper along the top edge, with the zipper pull facing up and the teeth pointing down toward the fabric. The zipper should be centered, with equal space on the left and right. Pin the zipper tape (the fabric strip on either side of the teeth) to the top edge of the fabric, using pins every 2 inches.
Install the zipper foot on your sewing machine and thread it with matching thread. Set the machine to a straight stitch at medium length (about 2.5 on most machines). Sew along the top edge of the zipper tape, staying about ⅛ inch from the teeth. Sew slowly and stop every few inches to check that the zipper is not bunching. When you reach the zipper pull, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, slide the pull out of the way, and continue sewing. After you finish one side, flip the fabric and repeat on the other side of the zipper tape.
Press the seam flat with an iron set to medium heat. This helps the zipper sit smoothly and makes the next steps easier.
Sew the second fabric piece to the zipper
Take the second fabric rectangle and place it right side down on top of the first piece (so the right sides of both fabrics face each other, with the zipper sandwiched between them). The edges should line up. Pin around all four sides, using pins every 2 to 3 inches.
Keep the zipper foot installed. Sew along the top edge again, stitching through both fabric layers and the zipper tape. Use the same ⅛-inch distance from the zipper teeth. This secures the second fabric piece to the zipper. Press the seam flat when you finish.
Sew the three remaining sides of the bag
Switch back to your regular presser foot (not the zipper foot). Open the zipper halfway—this is important because it lets you turn the bag right side out later. Pin the left side of the bag, then sew it with a straight stitch at ¼ inch from the edge. Use a backstitch at the beginning and end to lock the thread. Sew slowly and keep the edge straight.
Repeat for the bottom and right sides. At each corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, pivot the fabric 90 degrees, and continue sewing. After you finish all three sides, press each seam flat with an iron. Trim the thread ends close to the fabric.
Finish the raw edges and turn the bag right side out
Before you turn the bag right side out, finish the raw edges inside to prevent fraying. You can do this two ways: sew a zigzag stitch along each raw edge (set your machine to a zigzag pattern and sew ¼ inch from the edge), or use pinking shears to cut a zigzag pattern along the seams. The zigzag stitch is more durable and looks more professional, but pinking shears are faster if you are in a hurry.
Reach through the open zipper and grab the fabric inside the bag. Pull gently and turn the bag right side out through the zipper opening. Use a wooden spoon or chopstick to push the corners out so they are sharp and square. Press the entire bag flat with an iron, paying special attention to the seams. The bag is now finished and ready to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a shorter zipper than the width of my bag?
Yes, and many people do. A zipper that is 2 to 3 inches shorter than the bag width still closes the opening enough to hold items. Center it along the top edge and leave small gaps on the left and right. The bag will still function, though items can slip out if the opening is too large.
What happens if I sew the zipper on upside down?
The zipper will still work, but the pull will face the wrong direction and the bag will look unfinished. If you notice this before sewing the second fabric piece on, you can carefully remove the stitches with a seam ripper and flip the zipper. If you have already sewn both sides, you can live with it or start over.
Do I have to press the seams with an iron?
Pressing is not required, but it makes a huge difference in how the bag looks and feels. Pressed seams lie flat, the bag holds its shape better, and the zipper sits smoothly. If you skip pressing, the bag will still work but will look wrinkled and homemade.
What fabric weight works best for a garment bag?
Medium-weight cotton, linen, or cotton blends are ideal. Lightweight fabrics like quilting cotton work but may feel flimsy. Heavy fabrics like canvas or upholstery fabric are harder to sew and make the bag stiff. Test a scrap of your chosen fabric by folding it—if it holds the fold without flopping, it is probably the right weight.
Can I add a pocket or label to the inside?
Yes. Before you sew the two fabric pieces together, pin a small pocket or label to the inside of one piece and sew it on with a straight stitch. Make sure it is sewn securely so it does not come loose when you turn the bag right side out. Keep pockets small so they do not get caught in the seams.