How to Sew a Firewood Log Carrier

By
Debbie Colgrove
Debbie Colgrove
Debbie Colgrove is an award-winning seamstress and tailor who shares her knowledge with beginner sewers on how to work with patterns and fabrics. She has over 40 years experience and has been writing and authoring books for two decades.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 10/04/20
Firewood Log Carrier

 

Janie Airey / Getty Images

Try out this simple-to-sew project that will create a sturdy log carrier for your firewood. If you have two ready to bring in the firewood, so you can balance the load with one in each hand and get the job done in half the time. This carrier also makes a great housewarming gift for someone who purchases a home with a fireplace or woodstove.

Tip

The amount of fabric will be the width of the carrier. A half-yard is ample for most woodstove firewood, but use 2/3 yard for firewood longer than 18 inches.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Fabric marker
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine

Materials

  • 1 to 2/3  yard 54- to 60-inch-wide canvas
  • 3 yard 1 1/2-inch-wide webbing
  • 1 foot 1/4- to 1/2-inch rope
  • Thread

Instructions

  1. Cut the Fabric

    Square the canvas fabric and cut on the fold for two equal pieces of fabric. Mark the width of fabric edges on the very edge so that you recognize the edge as the width of the fabric edge. Remove the selvage.

  2. Finish the Edges

    Turn under 1/4-inch on the width of the fabric edges, and then turn under again to enclose the raw edges. Use needle position or guides on the presser foot to sew the hem down, sewing as close to the free edge as possible.

    Repeat for the remaining ends, which will be the top and bottom in the remaining directions. Trim the corners before you sew the hem down to prevent bulk.

    Hemming the fabric edges with baby hems
    Debbie Colgrove

  3. Place the Strap

    Carefully use a flame to melt the ends of the webbing to prevent it from unraveling. Fold the length of webbing in half and mark the fold. Lay the fabric out flat, so the width of the fabric is on the sides. Mark 4 inches in from the sides. Gently fold the fabric in half, matching the top and bottom, to find the center.

    Starting at the center, lay the strapping down and run it towards the mark at the top edge, down the other top marking to the centerfold on the fabric. Place the fold of the webbing on the fold of the fabric and pin in place. Repeat to bring the end of the webbing to the starting point.

    Align the outside edge of the webbing with the 4-inch markings, keeping it even the entire distance from end hem to end hem.

    A photo showing the final placement of straps to create a strong log carrier.
    Debbie Colgrove

  4. Sew the Straps in Place

    Sew the webbing in place by sewing along the edges of the webbing to the top/bottom hem and pivoting to sew across the top/bottom of the straps, sewing all edges of the strap to hold it firmly to the fabric. Repeat for the second side of the strap. Zigzag stitch over the butted ends of the webbing.

  5. Sew the Strap Handles

    Fold the bag, so the attached straps are on top of each other to find the center of the strap handle area. Mark the center, then mark 4 inches to both sides from each center mark.

    Lay a 6-inch piece of rope on the center of the strap/handle on the inside of the strap. Fold the handle strap area in half with the inside side of the webbing folded over itself to enclose the rope in the webbing. Sew along the edge of the straps to sew the two layers of the strap together for the 8-inch span. Sew across the ends of the folded area to make sure the rope stays enclosed.

    Rounded Handles on Webbing Strap Handles
    Debbie Colgrove