Drawstring Bag Tutorial
This little drawstring bag is the perfect size for a book or your chargers / a kindle etc. I have made this using half of one of my screen printed panels, you can easily adjust the measurements based on the fabric you have to hand.
I embroidered half of the panel using some single strand fine cotton threads and filled the flowers with seed stitch. I added French Knots to the centre of the flowers and some green stitches to add some colour to the background. If you want to embroider your fabric, do so before making the bag.
I chose a darker lining for this bag as the green strands of thread on the back of the work showed through the front when placed on a lighter backing. Try laying your embroidered piece on different linings before cutting anything to size.
This drawstring bag measures 17cm x 25cm.
You Will Need:
Now mark out some key notches on the top edge of the outer fabric using a fabric pencil / tailor's chalk.
Outer fabric - 36 x 25.5cm
Lining fabric - 36 x 25.5cm
Two tabs - 16 x 7cm
Ribbon or narrow cord - 1 metre
Embroidery threads to add decorative stitches - optional
1cm seam allowance throughout.
Begin by folding and pressing the short ends of the tabs in by 1cm, ensure both tabs are the same finished length. Turn under raw edge by 0.5cm and stitch down. (See photo above on right)
Now mark out some key notches on the top edge of the outer fabric using a fabric pencil / tailor's chalk.
Mark your seam allowance, 1cm from the left and right outer edges, SA on image.
Mark the halfway point of the outer fabric, H on image.
Fold the outer seam allowance SA mark to the halfway H point, this will give you the centre of your finished pouch, C on image.
Fold along the long edges of your tabs to find the centre point, C on image.
Fold your tabs in half lengthways. Line up the centre point of the tabs with the centre point of the outer panel and pin both tabs in place.
Lay the lining on top, right sides together and pin along the top edge.
Stitch along the top to secure the outer layer, the tabs and the lining together.
Open out, press the seams to the lining and then top stitch the lining to the seam allowance.
Fold your bag in half with the outer facing the outer and the lining facing the lining, right sides together. Line up the join seam and pin, then pin around the rest of the bag.
Stitch all the way around the bag leaving a gap at the bottom of the lining to turn the bag through.
Turn the bag through, press and stitch the lining closed.
Take two 50cm lengths of ribbon or narrow cord. Thread one piece through both tabs and knot both ends together, repeat with the other ribbon starting from the opposite side.
If you want to make this bag in different sizes it's very easy to adjust the measurements, by using the method above to mark out your notches you'll always have your tabs central to your bag.
Aim for the tabs to finish 1.5 or 2 cm from either edge of the finished bag, this allows for the bulk of the ribbon / cord.
I hope you've enjoyed making this simple bag, it's great for storing all sorts of items, but would also make a lovely gift, why not pop in a book and send it to a friend.
If you've enjoyed making this, please share with friends and credit Colette Moscrop for the pattern. I'd love to see your versions, use #ColetteMoscropTextiles on social media and I can find your projects.