Sewing Tent and Stake Bags
The stuff sacks that come with most tents are heavier than they need to be, and a single bag for both the tent and stakes always leaves the poles and pegs rattling around loose. So I sewed my own: a roomy drawstring bag sized to my tent body and a slim, padded stake bag that keeps the sharp ends contained. Both are quick, beginner-friendly sewing projects and a great way to shave a little weight off your kit.
Materials
- 0.8 oz Dyneema® Composite Fabric (CT2E.08) or any lightweight fabric for the bag bodies
- Micro cord (1.18mm) – for the drawstring closures
- Duraflex Micro CordLock (2.5mm) - A cord lock for each bag
- Seam tape (Optional) - e.g. UltraTNT PSa Tape or Dyneema Tape - to reinforce the channel and seams
New to sewing your own gear? I keep a running list of the tools and supplies I find essential for projects like this one.
Sizing the bags
I sized each bag around the gear it needs to hold, with a little extra room so stuffing them isn't a fight. For the tent bag I measured the rolled tent body, then added 6 cm to the circumference and length for an easy fit. The stake bag is sized to my longest stake plus a couple of centimetres of headroom for the drawstring channel.
Add a seam allowance to every edge before you cut — I used a 2 cm allowance. It's easy to forget and end up with a bag that's tighter than planned.
Cutting the panels
With the dimensions marked, I cut the panels out: TODO — describe the body panel(s) and base. A rotary cutter and a metal ruler give the cleanest, straightest edges on slippery fabric.
Sewing the drawstring channel
Before closing up the body, I folded over the top edge to create a channel for the drawstring and stitched it down, leaving a small gap to feed the cord through. TODO — note the fold width and stitch type you used.
Fold the raw edge under twice so it's fully enclosed. It keeps the channel from fraying and gives the stitch something solid to bite into.
Stitching the body
Next I folded the panel right sides together and ran the main seam down the side and across the base, then turned the bag right side out. TODO — note the seam (e.g. French seam to hide the raw edges) and any reinforcement at the base corners.
Finishing: drawstring and cord lock
To finish, I threaded the micro cord through the channel, added a cord lock, and tied off the ends so they can't pull back through. TODO — note how you secured the cord ends.
Final thoughts
A matching tent and stake bag set is one of the easiest MYOG projects to start with, and it pays off every time you pack up: the stakes stay contained, the tent goes away clean, and you've trimmed a bit of weight along the way.
Making your own version? Get in touch or drop me a message on Instagram @andrewtpham.
Thanks for reading!