SewUseful Walker Bag With a Professional Touch

My sewing studio is located near a small park. Last summer I observed many senior citizens enjoying themselves. Some use walkers for assistance in getting around. Quite a few seniors had tied plastic bags to the front or sides of their walkers to carry their items. When they moved forward it often caused them to get off balance.

The designer in me just jumped-out, so I decided to create a walker bag with quality features and a professional look. The importance of this design is that when the pockets are filled with the owner's treasures, it remains in balance so the user can lift or push the walker without difficulty. Another important feature is to have the bag secured to both legs of the walker.

I made several bags and gave them to the elderly who use walkers and they just loved it! With both front and back pockets they can have their glasses, water bottle, reading material, etc. within handy reach. I was able to make and give away about 35 of them in several elderly housing projects.

Here I share with you the materials and instructions on making a walker bag.

The finished size of the bag is approximately 13 3/4" Wide x 24 1/4" Long. The cutting size includes a 3/8" seam allowance. I rate this project for someone with sewing skills, but I hope my step-by-step instructions and pictures are clear enough to follow even if you are a beginner.

Materials and equipment to make a walker bag:

1 yard main fabric;
1/2 yard fabric for pockets;
1/2 yard fabric for pocket linings;
1/2 yard medium weight non-woven fusible interfacing (from a 48" Wide bolt);
1 yard 1" wide webbing;
1 yard 3/16" cord with lip (you can purchase it ready-made or you can make your own piping);
Sewing machine;
Thread;
Pinking shears (use to cut your fabric so it will not fray. You can use ordinary fabric scissors if you don't have it);
Scissors;
1/2 yard of 3/4" Wide hook (male) and loop (female) fastener;
Pins;
Tailor's chalk;
Quilter's ruler;
Iron and iron board.

Step 1: Cut all fabrics and interfacing

From the main fabric, cut 2 pieces 14 1/2" Wide x 25" Long. Cut one piece of interfacing, in the same size, and fuse it on the back side (wrong side) of one of the two pieces of main fabric. The fabric with fusible interfacing will become the top of your walker bag. The other will be the underside.

Now, cut two pieces of fabric 14 1/2" Wide x 9 1/4" High from the fabric you've chosen for the pockets. Then, cut two pieces of interfacing, in the same size, and fuse each on the back side of each pocket fabric.

Note: The interfacing you purchase comes with instructions. Please follow the instructions before fusing on the fabric.

Finally, cut similar size of the lining fabric for the pocket lining. Set all aside and move to Step 2.