Free Sewing Pattern for a Walker Bag

craft

Mollie Johanson

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner

This free walker bag pattern securely and safely carries everything you need. The pockets in the bag allow you to keep things organized and easy to find.

You can sew a walker bag for yourself, or make one as a gift for anyone who uses a walker. Consider sewing these and other simple items to donate to hospitals and nursing homes.

The size of this bag fits most walkers, but it's easy to adjust the dimensions to suit your needs. You can also customize it by embroidering a name or adding other decorative elements.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat
  • Sewing machine
  • Pins
  • Iron
  • Turning tool (optional)

Materials

  • 1/3 yard 44 to 45-inch wide durable fabric for the exterior of the bag
  • 1/3 yard 44 to 45-inch wide fabric for the bag lining
  • 1/2 yard 44 to 45-inch wide fabric for the pockets and straps
  • 1/8 yard 1 1/2"-wide hook-and-loop tape
  • 1/3 yard 3/4"-wide hook-and-loop tape
  • Thread

Instructions

  1. Gather Materials and Cut the Fabric Pieces

    Use a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat to cut the following pieces:

    • Two pieces 15 inches x 10 1/2 inches for the exterior bag body
    • Two pieces 15 inches x 10 1/2 inches for the bag lining
    • Two pieces 15 inches x 13 inches for outer pockets
    • Two pieces 5 inches x 10 1/2 inches for the top straps
    • Two pieces 2 inches x 12 inches for the side straps 

    Note: The measurements provided here work on a simple straight walker. For a collapsing or large walker, you may need to adjust the strap sizes.

    Walker Bag Supplies
    Mollie Johanson
    Cutting the Walker Bag Fabric
    Mollie Johanson
  2. Sew the Top and Side Straps

    Fold the strap pieces in half, matching the long sides. Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew all into long tubes, backstitching at the beginning and end. Press each seam allowance open with the seam centered on the flattened tube. Sew across one end to close the tubes.

    Turn the tubes right side out. A turning tool is helpful for the narrow tubes.

    Press to flatten the tubes with the seam allowance centered again.

    Sewing the Walker Bag Straps
    Mollie Johanson
  3. Sew Hook and Loop Tape to the Straps

    Cut two 1 1/2-inch-long pieces from each side of the wide hook-and-loop tape. Sew one piece to the closed end of each wide top strap. Sew the other piece 6 to 7 inches away from the closed end as shown.

    Cut two 1-inch-long pieces from only the hook side of the narrow hook-and-loop tape. Cut two 4-inch-long pieces from only the loop side of the narrow hook-and-loop tape. Sew the short pieces to the closed end of the narrow side straps. Sew the long pieces 4 inches from the closed end as shown.

    If you'd rather skip the hook-and-loop tape, add buttons and buttonholes instead, following the placement listed above.

    Note: The measurements on these straps work on a simple straight walker. For a large or collapsing walker, you may need to adjust the size or placement of the hook-and-loop tape.

    Adding Hook and Loop Tape to the Straps
    Mollie Johanson
  4. Sew the Side Pockets

    Fold a pocket piece in half with wrong sides together, matching up the 15" edges. Place it on top of one exterior body piece, aligning all raw edges.

    Measure and mark a vertical line at the center of the pocket. Sew on the line through all layers, backstitching at the beginning and end. This divides the pocket into two smaller pockets. Add more lines of stitching or change the placement to customize the pockets.

    Repeat with the remaining body and pocket pieces.

    Sewing the Center of the Pocket
    Mollie Johanson
  5. Add Straps and Lining to the Front and Back

    Place both wide straps at the top of the front body/pocket piece right side up, 2 1/2" in from the sides, with the hook-and-loop tape facing the body/pocket. Align the raw edges at the top of each strap with the top of the body. Baste in place close to the raw edges.

    Place a lining piece right sides together with each body/pocket piece, sandwiching the wide straps between the two layers on one. Pin and sew along the top edge only with a quarter-inch seam allowance. On the unit with the straps, reinforce with a second line of stitching over the straps.

    step 5
    Mollie Johanson
  6. Attach the Front and Back Together

    Press the lining/ body seam towards the lining and open each lining/body/pocket piece out. On the front piece, press the wide straps towards the lining and set aside.

    On the back piece (without straps), place the narrow straps hook-and-loop side down, 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the pocket, aligning the raw edge with the sides of the pocket. Baste the side straps in place 1/8" from the side edges.

    Place both lining/body/pocket pieces right sides together, matching the top seam. Pin around all four sides, making sure all 4 straps are inside and will not be caught in the seam.

    Starting on the lining side, sew around the four sides of the bag. Leave a 4-inch opening in the lining and backstitch at the beginning and end. Backstitch over the side straps and at the folded top of the pockets to reinforce.

    Trim the corners to reduce bulk.

    Turn the bag right side out through the lining opening and then sew the opening closed.

    Sewing the Front and Back
    Mollie Johanson
  7. Finish the Walker Bag

Push the lining into the bag and press the seam allowance down into the bag. Edgestitch around the top 1/8" from the seam. 

Cut a 2-inch-long piece of wide hook-and-loop tape and sew on opposite sides of the interior of the bag at the center to close.

Use the straps to attach the bag to a walker and get ready to go and carry all you need!