Wednesday 14 June 2017

Quick and Easy to make Drawstring Bag ~ Tutorial

Last year I showed you how to make simple, unlined drawstring bags, with French seams. Today's tutorial for an unlined drawstring bag is even easier.


Materials:
  • Any reasonably sturdy fabric, but not too thick. Quilting cotton is fine. I made my bags with a linen / cotton blend. 
  • Cord or ribbon for the drawstrings. This post might give you some ideas - Creative, Money Saving Ideas for Drawstring Cords

Make the bag any size you want. I made two bags...
  1. Two pieces of fabric: 13" x 11" (33cm x 28cm) + two pieces of cord, each 25" (63cm)
  2. Two pieces of fabric: 17" x 12" (43cm x 30cm) + two pieces of cord, each 30" (76cm)


Instructions:
All seams are ⅜" (1cm).

  • Cut fabric to size.
  • Individually neaten (zig zag or overlock) three edges. No need to neaten the top edge. Don't sew the two pieces of fabric together when neatening.
  • Measure 2.5" (6cm) from the top edge and mark.
  • Repeat for the second side.
  • Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together.
  • Starting at the first mark, sew down one side seam, across the bottom, and up the second side, stopping at the second mark.
  • Backstitch when stopping and starting.

  • Fold the top edge over ¼".
  • Stitch or press.
  • Finger press the un-sewn seam edges flat.
  • Sew a line of stitching to hold them in place.
  • Reinforce the top of the seam with a line of stitching.


This is what it will look like from the right side.


  • Fold the top edge over with a 1" (2½cm) hem.
  • Finger press or press.
  • Stitch.

I didn't need to use any pins while sewing this bag. If you find you need to pin the hem...
  • pin
  • baste (hand sew with a long stitch)
  • remove pins
  • stitch hem with machine
  • remove basting
OR... if you leave the pins in while sewing, keep them well away from the presser foot. Do NOT sew over them!


Box the corners
...

  • Measure 1" (2½cm) from the corner seam (don't measure from the edge of the fabric) in both directions. 
  • Put a mark to show where 1" (2½cm) is. You will have two marks for each corner. 

  • Pull out the sides of the bag. 
  • Place one seam on top of the other seam.
  • Put a pin through the top mark. If the pin comes out through the mark on the other side, the 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. 

  • Remove the pin and hold in place.
  • With a ruler, draw a line over the mark and across the fabric. 
  • Sew across the line. 

  • Cut the fabric and neaten. 
  • Repeat for the other side.
  • Turn right side out.

Drawstring Cords:
  • Using a safety pin, thread the first cord through the entire drawstring casing. Both ends of the one cord will come out of the same opening.
  • Repeat with the second cord and the second opening.
  • Knot the ends of each cord.

Make a simple, unlined drawstring bag. Tutorial by Threading My Way

That's all there is to it - a super quick and easy project and probably the easiest drawstring bag I've ever made.

I don't know about you, but I don't think you can have too many drawstring bags. I use them for holiday packing, gift bags, wine bottle bags, ice brick covers, handbag tidies, makeup brushes - the list is endless.

If you're a fan of drawstring bags, what do you use them for?

For more drawstring bag tutorials...

For more ideas and inspiration, check out my Drawstring Bags board on Pinterest, and also the Drawstring Bags link party here at Threading My Way

... Pam




11 comments:

  1. You can never have too many drawstring bags. Use 'em for yourself, give them away as gift wrap, give them away as a gift themselves (in another bag, perhaps!), have lots of them handy for sizing purposes so you'll know how big to make another one for a project you're gifting - with drawstring bags, the fun. never. ends :D

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  2. thanks for this my daughter has said I will make some things for a charity stall to raise money following the death of a friend`s daughter only 15 due to an epileptic fit, think these will work well and will not take lob=ng to do, will check out the other version too

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  3. Love this!! Drawstring bags are always useful to have. I've featured your tutorial on Craft Gossip here: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=93150 --Anne

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  4. I have a pile of these cut and overlocked to make for Days for Girls. If I cut the teen peasant dresses just right I can make a bag with the leftover from the skirt! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  5. Great tutorial and a lovely fabric! Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs!
    Ana

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  6. Pam, Thanks so much for the tutorial! These drawstring bags are so great and I love the idea of making my own. Thanks for sharing with us this week at Brag About It!

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  7. Drawstring bags are so useful, thank you for sharing the tutorial! Added to The Really Crafty Link Party Pinterest board.

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  8. What a perfect tutorial for when you just need a super quick simple little bag. Very clear with plenty of photos (just how I like it!) as always Pam, thanks :-)

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  9. Lovely fabric and the bag looks great! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial.

    -Soma

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  10. Searching for an easy little project to help my nine-year-old niece learn to sew and think this is just the thing -- thank you!

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