Easy DIY Shirt Sleeve Drawstring Bags ~ Tutorial

Last month I showed you my ever so easy to make travel storage bags sewn from the body of a button down shirt. What did I do with the sleeves? Today I'll show you how I quickly repurposed them into drawstring bags.

Half of the work is already done. All you need to do is form a top and bottom for the bag.

• Deconstruct a pre-loved button down shirt. We'll just be using the sleeves for our drawstring bags.
• Cut off the cuffs.

• Cut the shirt at the underarms, or to the desired length.

The cuff opening needs to be about 2½" (6cm). I left mine at 3" (8cm).

• With the sleeve turned inside out, sew across what will be the bottom of the bag - this is the top of the sleeve, NOT the cuffed end.
• Neaten

You can leave the bottom like this, or box the corners like I've done. 

• Measure ½" (1cm) from the corner, in both directions and on both sides of the fabric.
• Put a mark to show where ½" (1cm) is. 
• Repeat for the second corner.
• You will have 4 marks on the front and 4 on the back.

The bottom of the bag can be made wider simply by increasing the ½" measurement from the corners.

• Pull out the sides of the bag and flatten.
• Put a pin through the top mark. If the pin comes out through the mark on the other side, your boxed corner will line up. 
• If the pin is not coming out through the mark on the other side, reposition the fabric until it does.

• Take the pin out.
• With a ruler, draw a line across the fabric.
• Hold the fabric in place while you sew.
• Sew across the line.

• Cut fabric
• Neaten edge
• Repeat for the second corner

• Working at the top of the bag (where the cuff opening is), fold over ¼" (½cm).
• Press or stitch.
• Turn 1" (2.5am) and stitch.

Thread a cord through the casing and that's it - you've finished. It'll take you much less time than to write up this tutorial.😊 

I originally intended to add these two bags to my collection of travel bags, thinking they'd be perfect for small items such as socks, or maybe even shoe bags. With two bags, I can carry one pair of thongs/sandals (flip flops). This is a women's shirt - of course a large men's shirt would accommodate more.

While taking photos, a wine bottle gift bag came to mind, too, hence the first photo.

However, I ended up utilising them as cutlery utensil bags on our recent trip to Coodravale Homestead and Canberra. They were the perfect size for carrying serving spoons.

This is such a quick and easy project. Since making these bags, I've already made another set which I'll show you soon.

How would you use shirt sleeve drawstring bags?

I'll be adding my shirt sleeve drawstring bags to both the Drawstring Bags and the Reusing Shirts & Ties link parties here at Threading My Way.

... Pam

---

Privacy - Disclaimer - Terms & Conditions - How Google uses data

---

Tweet