September 24, 2017

Mini Drawstring Bag Tutorial

Mini Drawstring Bag Tutorial




Finished dimensions: 5" Wide x 8" Tall 

I have really been loving knitting, lately. My aunt just taught me the basics while we were visiting, and I haven't been able to put this knitting down. I kept leaving all my balls of yarn around on the couch. I lost some stitches and bent some needles this way. So, it was high  time to put my sewing skills to the test. There's plenty of drawstring bag tutorials out there. I just wanted one that was small enough for a sock project and easy to store. I can bring it with me in my tote as well.  I also wanted to put this new folded boxy bottom into a bag. It saves me from having to cut the boxed corners or measuring it out. 

I can fit a cake of yarn. 1 sock and 1 sock on the needles. 1 tape meaure 1 needle for sewing the ends in and a crochet hook.

What you need: 


2 Fat Eighths for exterior
1 Fat Quarter for lining 
1/2 yard of interfacing
1 yard of twine
Safety pin
Coordinating thread

Cuts:

1 Exterior Top: 4 1/2"tall x 20 1/2' wide
1 Exterior Bottom:  6  1/2" tall x 20  1/2" wide
1 Lining:   10 1/2" Tall x 20 1/2" wide
 1 Interfacing: 10 1/2" tall x 20" wide 
2 Drawstring Casing: 2' tall x 9" wide 
2 Twine: 30" twine (It was very long, but you can adjust size as needed)






These are all the pieces that you will need. Make sure that you are keeping your directional fabrics in mind as you are working.



In the above photo, it shows the top exterior lying right sides together and sewn together with a 1/4" seam.The two Drawstring casings are folded in 1/4" at each end and sewn. The interfacing has been attached, per interfacing instructions, to the lining.



The exterior panel is now shown above. It is ready for the Drawstring casing to be attached. Fold them in half long ways and iron. You will place them 1 1/2" from the outer edge and pin.



You will now place the lining and exterior  right sides together. The drawstring casing should still be pinned in place. Make sure that you are watching the placement of directional fabric.  Sew the pinned side with a 1/4" seam.



This is how it will appear once sewn.


. You will fold the entire panel in half left to right and sew 1/2" seam allowance. Leaving a 4" opening in the lining fabric as seen above.



Once sewn, you will find the middle of the fabric. Use the seam and mark the opposite side with a pin. Match the seam and pin to mark the opposite sides as well.



Now, you will bring the right side pin into the middle pin.


This creates our boxy bottom fold. Pin all layers together.



Here is the left side. Bring the pin to the center and pin the folds together.




Repeat on the opposite end of the bag. Stitch across each end with a 1/2" seam.


Now, turn the bag right side out. Stitch the lining opening closed.



Go ahead and place your lining in the bag. This is how it will look.



Lay the bag out flat like above. You are going to take 1 18" piece of twine. I made knot in the end and put the safety pin through it, and I begin feeding it through the left to right.


Continue to feed the twine through the back right to left.



Your twine will now be on the left side and you can knot these two together. You will start the 2nd piece of twine on the right side and continue feeding this through the back casing. Not those ends together on the other side.



You're mini drawstring bag is complete.



Now, you can put your knitting project inside. You can use them as gift bags or storage for any number of things around the house. Kids will have tons of small toys too.



It is completely reversible. Which gives you plenty of versatile options.



I love these cats lining too. I hope you enjoy your mini drawstring bag.


4 comments

  1. Great directions and visuals.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How do two 9" long drawstring casings fit side by side on a 10 1/2" wide bag? Am I misreading this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are completely right. It should be 20 1/2" wide for the top and bottom exterior width.

      Delete

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Maira Gall