Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus Bag

This bag is my best work yet.. or rather, I am most proud of it :) It is the most functional bag that I've sewn so far.

I made it for my daughter to carry all her rhythmic gymnastics apparatus to her training classes. So it's our little Rhythmic Gymnastics Apparatus / Equipment Bag.

My DIY rhythmic gymnastics apparatus bag

Actually, it's big... 14" (width) x 12.5" (height) x 8" (depth). The 14" x 8" wide base ensures the bag can sit without falling to its side. It also needed to be in this size in order to hold all the apparatus.

Exterior pocket... perfect for carrying half shoes

I incorporated a recessed zipper, with a bit of gap on each end. This is for the clubs and ribbon stick to stand up, instead of being thrown and squashed around inside the bag.

Recessed zipper

I like to use a large-teeth separating zipper (also called separating jacket zipper) for this type of bag. It's washable and durable, and during construction, you could take it apart and sew both sides separately, which makes the whole sewing process more manageable and less frustrating.

Large teeth separating zipper

My favourite part of the bag has to be the bag interior. It has one main center compartment, four smaller side compartments and two open pockets.

Bag interior... multiple compartments and pockets for carrying and storing apparatus

Ta daa.... gym ball, set of clubs, ribbon and stick, rope, water bottle, shoes...all PROPERLY ORGANIZED! :)

Properly organized rhythmic gymnastics apparatus in a bag

My daughter even keeps a notebook, a set of ankle weights and knee pads in it.

Our perfect rhythmic gymnastics apparatus bag!

Clubs, Ball and Hoop Bags

To complement the bag, I also made bags for some of the individual apparatus - one for the set of clubs, one for the gym ball, and a cover for the hoop.

Gym ball bag and clubs bag

Gym ball and its bag, clubs and its bag

Rhythmic gymnastics hoop and hoop cover

The bags were sewn using home decor cotton canvas fabrics that I bought from Kamdar, our local textile shop. These fabrics do make for a hard wearing bag.

The hoop cover is a stretchy foil lycra, also from Kamdar. It has lost a bit of its shine after several months of use but it is still lovely :)


All in all, it has been a challenging and immensely rewarding experience sewing these bags. Where I live, rhythmic gymnastics isn't yet a popular sport. Good quality apparatus are almost definitely imported and cost a bomb. It is important that they are stored and transported with care, to prevent damage. Along with the apparatus themselves, suitable storage bags are mostly also imported and just as costly. For me, it just makes sense to DIY and sew them myself. I could custom make each bag for size and fit, use my favourite fabrics/prints, incorporate features that I like, all for a fraction of the cost of a branded commercially available bag.