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