| Drawstring bags are one of those sewing projects | | | | facing out... aligning the raw side edges and the raw |
| that can transcend all purposes. You can make them | | | | top edges. The folded edge will be the bottom of your |
| to hold small objects, like those seasonal colored glass | | | | bag.5. Press and pin if necessary.6. On one side, sew |
| rocks that you fill your vases with. You can use them | | | | all the way up the side edges with a 1/4" seam. Be |
| as gift bags to cover wine bottles, hold small jewelry | | | | sure to back stitch in the beginning and end of the |
| boxes, or any size gift. You can make them for | | | | stitching to lock the stitch.7. Measure down the other |
| decorative items for your home or bath.Whatever | | | | raw side edge 3/4" and mark with a pin.8. Sew a 1/4" |
| your reason for sewing a drawstring bag, you will | | | | to sew the other side seam... but this time stop at the |
| discover that making one is super simple. The | | | | pin mark. Be sure to back stitch in the beginning and |
| construction is sew simple, that you can easily modify | | | | end of the stitching to lock the stitch.9. Fold down the |
| your dimensions, fabric and string to create a huge | | | | top raw edge a 1/4" and press.10. Fold down the top |
| variety of drawstring bags.So, decide on the size of | | | | edge again 1/2" and press. The folded edge created in |
| your bag first. Are you making to hold a wine bottle? | | | | step 9 should align with the mark made in step 7.11. |
| Something small?Then pick out your fabric. You'll need | | | | Starting at the mark made in step 7, stitch around the |
| a little more than twice your bag's dimensions. So, if | | | | bag close to the folded edge created in step 9. This |
| your bag will be 12" by 5", then you want fabric that is | | | | will create the pocket for your drawstring.12. Turn the |
| at least 24" plus 1 1/2" by 5" plus 1".You're also going to | | | | bag right side out and press well.13. Slide your |
| need some cord, ribbon, or whatever you plan on using | | | | drawstring through the pocket. You may want to use |
| for a drawstring. You will need the diameter of your | | | | some wire and a safety pin to help pull the cord |
| bag plus at least 8". In the example above, I am making | | | | through the pocket.And your done! Pull the drawstring |
| a bag that is 5" wide, so the diameter will be 10". I will | | | | to gather the opening closed and tie.Once you have |
| need 10" plus 8" of cord.Once you have your | | | | the basics down, the possibilities are endless. You can |
| dimensions, cord and your fabric, follow these easy | | | | sew sequins and beads to the fabric. So fringe around |
| step-by-step instructions below to learn how to sew a | | | | the top edge. Glue a glittery snowflake... handstitch a |
| drawstring bag... within minutes (yes minutes) !1. Cut | | | | design, cut out fabric in shapes and press them to the |
| your fabric so that the length is twice the finished | | | | bag with web adhesive. Create the fabric with a crazy |
| length plus 1 1/2".Example: The finished width of my | | | | quilt technique or a simple patchwork style. Use fancy |
| bag will be 12". So I will cut my fabric to be 24" plus 1 1 | | | | fabrics like silk, velvet or lace.A drawstring bag is super |
| 2" long... 25 1/2".2. Cut your fabric so that the width is | | | | easy to make. The fun is making the design your own. |
| the finished width plus 1/2".Example: The finished width | | | | Spend the time in the details and you'll be sewing |
| of my bag will be 5". So I will cut my fabric to be 5" | | | | drawstring bags all the time.And most importantly... |
| plus 1/2" wide... 5 1/2".3. Serge or overlock stitch the | | | | have fun!Jennifer Thoden has helped thousands of |
| raw edges. If you don't have an overlock stitch, you | | | | people just like you to successfully sew home decor |
| can sew a zig-zag stitch along your raw edges.4. Fold | | | | and to decorate their homes beautifully. Click here for |
| the fabric in half... right sides together... wrong sides | | | | more exciting projects like this. |