| Drawstring bags are one of those sewing | | | | aligning the raw side edges and the raw top |
| projects that can transcend all purposes. You | | | | edges. The folded edge will be the bottom of |
| can make them to hold small objects, like | | | | your bag. |
| those seasonal colored glass rocks that you | | | | |
| fill your vases with. You can use them as | | | | 5. Press and pin if necessary. |
| gift bags to cover wine bottles, hold small | | | | |
| jewelry boxes, or any size gift. You can make | | | | 6. On one side, sew all the way up the side |
| them for decorative items for your home or | | | | edges with a 1/4" seam. Be sure to back |
| bath. Whatever your reason for sewing a | | | | stitch in the beginning and end of the |
| drawstring bag, you will discover that making | | | | stitching to lock the stitch. |
| one is super simple. The construction is sew | | | | |
| simple, that you can easily modify your | | | | 7. Measure down the other raw side edge 3/4" |
| dimensions, fabric and string to create a | | | | and mark with a pin. |
| huge variety of drawstring bags. | | | | |
| | | | 8. Sew a 1/4" to sew the other side seam... |
| So, decide on the size of your bag first. Are | | | | but this time stop at the pin mark. Be sure |
| you making to hold a wine bottle? Something | | | | to back stitch in the beginning and end of |
| small? | | | | the stitching to lock the stitch. |
| | | | |
| Then pick out your fabric. You'll need a | | | | 9. Fold down the top raw edge a 1/4" and |
| little more than twice your bag's dimensions. | | | | press. |
| So, if your bag will be 12" by 5", then you | | | | |
| want fabric that is at least 24" plus 1 1/2" | | | | 10. Fold down the top edge again 1/2" and |
| by 5" plus 1". | | | | press. The folded edge created in step 9 |
| | | | should align with the mark made in step 7. |
| You're also going to need some cord, ribbon, | | | | |
| or whatever you plan on using for a | | | | 11. Starting at the mark made in step 7, |
| drawstring. You will need the diameter of | | | | stitch around the bag close to the folded |
| your bag plus at least 8". In the example | | | | edge created in step 9. This will create the |
| above, I am making a bag that is 5" wide, so | | | | pocket for your drawstring. |
| the diameter will be 10". I will need 10" | | | | |
| plus 8" of cord. | | | | 12. Turn the bag right side out and press |
| | | | well. |
| Once you have your dimensions, cord and your | | | | |
| fabric, follow these easy step-by-step | | | | 13. Slide your drawstring through the pocket. |
| instructions below to learn how to sew a | | | | You may want to use some wire and a safety |
| drawstring bag... within minutes (yes | | | | pin to help pull the cord through the pocket. |
| minutes) ! | | | | |
| | | | And your done! Pull the drawstring to gather |
| 1. Cut your fabric so that the length is | | | | the opening closed and tie. |
| twice the finished length plus 1 1/2". | | | | |
| | | | Once you have the basics down, the |
| Example: The finished width of my bag will be | | | | possibilities are endless. You can sew |
| 12". So I will cut my fabric to be 24" plus 1 | | | | sequins and beads to the fabric. So fringe |
| 1/2" long... 25 1/2". | | | | around the top edge. Glue a glittery |
| | | | snowflake... handstitch a design, cut out |
| 2. Cut your fabric so that the width is the | | | | fabric in shapes and press them to the bag |
| finished width plus 1/2". | | | | with web adhesive. Create the fabric with a |
| | | | crazy quilt technique or a simple patchwork |
| Example: The finished width of my bag will be | | | | style. Use fancy fabrics like silk, velvet or |
| 5". So I will cut my fabric to be 5" plus 1 | | | | lace. |
| 2" wide... 5 1/2". | | | | |
| | | | A drawstring bag is super easy to make. The |
| 3. Serge or overlock stitch the raw edges. If | | | | fun is making the design your own. Spend the |
| you don't have an overlock stitch, you can | | | | time in the details and you'll be sewing |
| sew a zig-zag stitch along your raw edges. | | | | drawstring bags all the time. |
| | | | |
| 4. Fold the fabric in half... right sides | | | | And most importantly... have fun! |
| together... wrong sides facing out... | | | | |