For the past few weeks we have been in the North of Spain and I keep seeing really cute drawstring bags everywhere, I was also looking for a project to do with my new printed fabric, bird song, so putting the two together I have just finished a new free pattern and tutorial to make my version of the drawstring bag with the added bonus of now having my own one. I’m off out for the day now to visit one of the local markets.
Materials:
- 1cm width soft cord for the drawstring 2 x 150cm
- 2 pieces of printed cotton 36cm x 40cm (I used my Bird song fabric available here)
- 2 pieces of plain cotton 36cm x 40cm for the lining
- 2 pieces of plain cotton 8.5 x 6.5cm for the cord anchor straps
Tools:
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Pins
- Safety pin
- Sewing machine thread (Matching colour to the printed cotton you are using)
- Sewing machine
Optional:
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Cutting mat
To Make a Drawstring Bag:
Cut out all of the pieces of fabric listed above.
Take the two pieces of 8.5 x 6.5cm fabric and fold in half along the 8.5cm width. Machine sew along the 6.5cm edge leaving a 1/2 cm seam allowance. Open up the seam and press flat with your fingers. Fold the fabric over matching up the seams and pushing through half of the fabric until the seams are inside. Repeat on the second piece of fabric and leave aside. These pieces are uses to anchor the cord straps when the drawstring bag is finished.
Next, take the lining fabric and place right sides together. The fabric should have the 36cm at the top and the 40cm at the sides. Measure down 6cm on either sides from the top and place a pin to mark. Machine sew along the two side and the base, starting from the pin on one sides and finishing at the pin on the far side. Remove pins and snip excess fabric at the sewn corners. (see image above)
Next, take the patterned fabric and place right sides together, following the same instructions as for the lining. Measure down 6cm on either sides from the top and place a pin to mark. At the base of the fabric measure up 1cm and line up one of the cord anchor straps with the raw edges matching, pin in place between the two fabrics, repeat on the other side.
Machine sew along the two sides and the base, starting from the pin on one side, securing the cord anchor straps in place and finishing at the pin on the far side. Remove pins and snip excess fabric at the sewn corners.
Turn the fabric right side out and place the lining inside the patterned fabric. Match up the seams on either side and pin. Fold a 1/2 cm along all sides of the 6cm opening and line up the patterned fabric with the lining, tack. (see image below) Machine sew together and remove tacking.
From the top turn a 1cm fold and press in place. Fold again until the base of the fold lines up with the start of the 6cm opening, press and tack in place. Machine sew the base of the fold creating a pocket to the thread the drawstring bag cord through. (see image below)
The drawstring bag should now look like this.
Taking one of the 150cm cords and a safety pin thread it through the pocket as shown in the image below.
Repeat with the second cord from the other side.
Take to two left side cords and pop them into the anchor cord pocket on the same side and machine sew in place. Repeat on the other side.
Pull the cords on either side to close the top of the bag and pop over your shoulders.
My Book – Sewing Animal Dolls
Going to try this not made anything like it before . The instructions look easy to follow for a beginner .
Thank you Ann, happy sewing 🙂
Wow! this a great tutorial, as you made it super easy. I love these kind of bags and will surely try it. Thank you so much.
thank you, I love making these 🙂 Happy sewing
well explained thank you