Sew Fresh, Stay Dry: Sew Your Own Wet Bag in an Hour

Have you ever pulled a soggy swimsuit, sweaty gym clothes, or soiled baby outfit out of your bag and thought, "There has to be a better way?" You're not alone—and the answer is simple: a wet bag.

Whether you’re a parent, swimmer, gym-goer, traveler, or just trying to keep messes contained on the go, wet bags are an absolute lifesaver. Even better? You can make one yourself—customized to your style, size, and needs.

In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to sew a wet bag at home, even if you're a beginner. We’ll cover materials, sewing tips, step-by-step instructions, and care tips so your DIY wet bag lasts.

Let’s dive in—your dry purse/suitcase/swim bag/gym bag/diaper bag will thank you.

What Is a Wet Bag (and Why You Need One)

A wet bag is a reusable, water-resistant pouch that safely stores wet or soiled items. Common uses:

• Swimsuits after a beach or pool trip

• Cloth diapers or training pants during potty training

• Gym clothes and sweaty workout gear

• Toiletries, wet swimsuits, or gym clothes during travel

• Reusable menstrual products

By sewing your own wet bag, you control the size and design, making it a personalized, eco-friendly alternative to disposable plastic bags. And there are a lot of really fun PUL prints you can choose from!

Watch the video tutorial:

Supplies

This post may contain affiliate links which means at no extra cost to you I may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.

• PUL fabric (polyurethane laminate) – waterproof and flexible. One side is rubbery and the other feels like fabric.

• Zipper – 14” - 18” nylon zipper – I’m using an 18” zipper which is comically large but makes the process so much easier.

• Thread – 100% polyester

• Clips – avoid pins that can puncture PUL and make the wet bag less waterproof

• Sewing machine

• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter, cutting mat and sewing ruler

• Fabric marker or Ultra Fine Point Sharpie

Optional: 

• Tube turning tool

• Set of size 20 plastic snaps for the strap

• Awl

• Kam Snap Table Press

OR

• Handheld snap press

Step 1: Cut Your Fabric

For a medium-sized wet bag, cut:

• 1 piece of PUL fabric 13” x 28” - Using one large piece of fabric instead of sewing two smaller pieces together eliminates another seam where water could escape.

• You can adjust the size based on your needs. Larger for towels, smaller for baby clothes—your choice! You want the width to be about an inch larger and the length to be double the size of your desired final bag.

Tip: Cut carefully to keep edges even and square. Use a rotary cutter for clean lines.

Step 2: Create a strap (Optional)

For added functionality, sew a simple loop or handle:

1. Cut a piece of PUL or cotton fabric – around 2 ½” x 12”. I like to use PUL so the entire bag is water resistant and won’t absorb wetness.

   

2. Fold lengthwise, clip in place, and sew along the edge and along one end with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

   

3. Trim the excess fabric from each of the corners.

   

4. Turn it right side out and topstitch. Using a tube turning tool makes this process really easy and fast. Just insert a tube from the open end and push the fabric down the length until you reach the closed end of the fabric. Insert the wooden dowel piece from the closed end and push it through the tube flipping the fabric right side out. You can use the end of the dowel to push out the corners of the tube as well.

 Step 3: Attach the Zipper

1. Place the PUL fabric right side up.

   

2. Align the zipper face down (zipper pull side) along the top edge.

3. Use clips (not pins!) to secure it in place.

4. Sew along the zipper using a zipper foot and a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

   

5. Flip the zipper over right side up and top stitch the fabric to the edge of the zipper.

   

6. Bring the bottom of the fabric up the back and line it up with the sides of the front of the fabric. Use a fabric marking tool (or in my case a Sharpie) to mark where the second side of the zipper should be attached.

7. Flip the fabric over so the right sides of the front and back of the fabric are facing one another.

   

8. Line up the top edge of the fabric with the top edge of the zipper and clip in place.

9. Sew the second half of the zipper using a zipper foot and a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

10. Push the fabric right side out and unzip the zipper all the way.

    

11. Flip the fabric away from the zipper teeth and top stitch the second side of the fabric to the edge of the zipper.

12. Once done, you should be able to open and close the zipper with fabric on both sides.

Step 4: Sew the Bag Together

With the zipper half-open (important!), flip the fabric inside out with the right sides together:

1. Roll the top of the bag so there are about 2” of fabric above the zipper. This puts the zipper on the front of the bag instead of the top.

2. Clip around the sides of the bag.

   

3. If you are adding the strap, insert the unfinished end into the side seam about a ½” from the top before sewing the bag closed and clip it in place. If you don’t want to add the snap, insert both ends into the side seam.

   

4. Sew the two sides using a 3/8” seam allowance. When you sew over the open end of the zipper, make sure to hold the sides together so the zipper teeth are touching but not overlapping.

5. Backstitch at start and end to secure.

6. Trim away the excess zipper and the end of the strap.

Step 5: Turn and Finish

Turn your bag right side out through the zipper opening. Smooth out corners with your fingers, unsharpened pencil, or blunt tool (avoid sharp tools on PUL).

Inspect your seams for any small gaps or skipped stitches. You want it leak-resistant!

Step 6: Add a Plastic Snap (Optional)

1.  Fold the strap in half and determine where to add the snap.

2.  Push an awl through both the top and bottom of the strap.

3.  Install the plastic snap pieces. If you need help with this step, go here for a tutorial.

4.  To fold the wet bag and snap closed: Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge. Fold in half again toward the top and then roll the end farther away from the strap until it reaches the strap end. Wrap the strap around the outside of the rolled bag twisting the snap end to meet the opposite side and snap in place.

Care Instructions for Your Wet Bag

• Machine washable – Use cold or warm water.

• Air dry – Heat can degrade the waterproof layer over time.

• Do not iron directly on the PUL.

• Wipe clean between washes for quick reuse.

With proper care, your wet bag can last years, saving you money and reducing waste.

Final Thoughts

Sewing a wet bag is an easy, rewarding project—perfect for beginners and seasoned sewists alike. In under an hour, you can create a practical, stylish item that keeps messes contained and cuts down on waste.

It’s a small project with a big impact.

Ready to Sew?

Grab your favorite PUL fabric and zipper—then follow this guide to create your own custom wet bag today. Whether you're packing for a beach day, a workout, or a diaper bag run, you’ll be glad you did.

Have questions or want more sewing tutorials? Subscribe to the blog or drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what you’re making next!

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