Free DIY Clothes Storage Bins: Sewing Pattern and Tutorial

Welcome to our new tutorial on how to make practical and pretty DIY Clothes Storage Bins with our free sewing pattern and instructions.

The seasons are changing again, and it’s time to swap out your wardrobe from spring/summer to fall/winter (or vice versa). So, we’ve made the perfect project to make that transition a breeze.

Not only are these bins super cute, but they’re also a practical solution to keep your closet organized and tidy. 

The best part? You’ll only need a few materials to make these, making it a quick and easy sewing project that you’ll love for many years to come!

NOTE: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase using one of the links in this article, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you (To know more about this, click here.)

I’ll admit I’m not exactly someone with a ton of clothes, but somehow, every time the weather starts to change, my closet turns into a chaotic mess. It’s like my clothes have a party in there, and I’m left to clean up! 

That’s when I realized I needed a smart solution to keep everything in check. Sure, you can find plenty of clothes storage bins on Amazon, and while they do the job, they just lack that extra saz that I’m always looking for.

So, naturally, the only logical solution was to make my own.

What to Know About This Project

These bins measure 20″ x 12″ x 12″, making them just the right size to store all your clothes, sweaters, and even those cozy blankets. 

Plus, they’ll keep everything safe and protected from dust and lint while they patiently wait to be used again. The best part? 

These bins are incredibly fast to sew! You can finish all the seams with bias tape, making it a quick and satisfying project. You only need a few materials—just your favorite fabrics and a couple of notions—so it’s also super affordable. It’s a win-win for your closet and your wallet!

If you want to skip the bias tape finishes, then simply make all the seams face toward the wrong side of the fabric.

DIY Clothes Storage Bins Sewing Tutorial

These are the materials and notions you will need for this project. These materials make one bin.

• 1 Yard of Outdoors Woven Canvas
• ¼ Vinyl Clear Plastic
• 2 Vynil zippers 20” Long
• 1 Roll Of Pre-Made Single Folded ½” Bias Tape 
• Matching Thread
• Sewing Machine

Fabric Options For You:

1. Cut your fabrics

Use the following directions to cut your fabric pieces for this DIY Clothes Storage Bins. 

Cut three 20.5” x 12.5”, two 4.5” x 12.5”, two 7.5” x 12.5” rectangles, and two 12.5” x 12.5” squares of canvas fabric.

Then, cut one 6.5” x 12.5” on the plastic canvas.

2. Sew the window panel

Place the two 6.5” x 12.5” pieces on each side of the plastic canvas piece with the wrong sides of the fabrics facing together.

Make a basting stitch at ⅛” of each of the raw edges, and then use your preferred sewing bias tape method to sew bias tape over the edges.

3. Sew the body of the bin

First, we are going to attach the sides of the bin.

Place the two squares of fabric on each side of the window piece with the right sides of the fabric together. 

Sew a ⅛” basting stitch on the raw edges, then cover the raw edges with bias tape.

After that, you will take one of the 20.5” x 12.5” rectangles and complete the body of the bin by sewing the shorter sides of the rectangles to the sides of the squares.

Use the same technique of making a basting stitch and then cover it with the bias tape.

4. Sew the base

Before sewing the bias, round the edges of the last two 20.5” by 12.5” rectangles. 

Use the end of your French ruler to do so, placing it on each corner and cutting the rounded shape on each one.

Now, place the base on the bottom part of the bin body by matching the shorter sides (12.5”) and the longer sides (20.5”) with the wrong sides of the fabrics together. 

Pin around the raw edges, make a basting stitch, and then cover the edges with bias tape.

5. Sew the Zipper

Make a mark at the center of the plastic piece on the top edge. 

Then, fold the top edges of the zipper towards the wrong side and make a basting stitch to hold them in place. 

Place the tops of the zippers in the center mark and use sewing clips to hold them to the raw edge from the center out. The zippers’ wrong sides must be on the wrong side of the fabric.

Use your zipper foot to make a basting stitch to hold the zippers in place. Then, cover the raw edges with bias tape, starting from the end of one zipper and finishing on the other end.

Now repeat the same steps with the other sides of the zippers, but this time, join the final 20.5” x 12.5” rectangle. 

Make sure to make a mark on the center of the longer side of the rectangle. Then, pin and join the zipper tops from the center out. Then, pin the rest of the rectangle to the bin’s body.

Overlap the ends of the zippers by making the raw edge of the body of the storage bin overlap with about 1” of the edge of the lid. 

Now, start from the back center and sew the bias tape over all the raw edges, making sure to cover the end of the bin’s body zippers with the bias tape.

You will end up with something like this.

Do you enjoy our freebies?? Support us so we can keep making freebies for you by buying us a cup of coffee here. We will be forever grateful!

6. Sew the handles

The handles are optional. You can choose to have them flat on the sides, loose, or not add them at all. Here is how you do it.

Fold the leftover rectangles half lengthwise with the right side of the fabrics on the inside.

Sew the edges at ¼”, leaving 2” open at the center.

Cut the corners and turn to the right side through the opening. Press flat and then make a topstitching finish on the edges. 

Place them on the centers of the bins’ sides and sew them together, making a square and then a cross with your sewing machine. If you want the handles flat against the bin, sew them at the edge of the side seams. On the other hand, if you want the handles to be looser, then sew them 1” away from the side seams.

DIY Clothes Storage Bins-Final Thoughts

And there you have it—your very own set of adorable, practical, and affordable DIY Clothes Storage Bins! Not only have you tackled that seasonal closet chaos, but you’ve also added a touch of your own style to your storage solutions. 

Whether you’re stashing away sweaters, blankets, or even those summer dresses, these bins will keep everything organized and dust-free until it’s time to bring them out again. Plus, knowing you made them yourself makes it all the more satisfying. I hope you enjoyed this quick and fun sewing project as much as I did. 

Happy sewing, and here’s to a perfectly organized closet!