Make It Monday- Drawstring Bag

This week's project is a Simple Drawstring Bag .

There are different variations on how to make a drawstring bag-

this is the way I like to make them.

It is so easy to make and can be made to whatever size you are wanting.

First off - decide what size you are wanting your bag. To figure out the size of the bag you are wanting- Cut out 2 pieces of equal size fabric adding 1 inch to each side of the fabric. For example- you want a bag that is 15" by 20" . Cut out 17" by 22".


1) Take your two pieces of fabric and put them right sides ( the pretty side of the fabric) together and pin in place.

2) Fold one of the short edges of your fabric up 1/4 inch and press the seam. Then fold up again 1 inch and press again. The fold will create your casing for the drawstring.

3) Repeat Step 2 for the other piece of fabric on short side on the top.

4) Start sewing a 1/8" seam along the open sides starting right below your "casing " fold and working down the side, along the bottom ,and up the other side stopping below the fold "casing" on that side. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing seams.

5) Turn bag right side and and press your seams flat.

6) Now go back to your sewing machine and sew 3/4" seam along your "casing" fold to hold it in place. Continue from one casing side into the other side and back to where you started.




Now to attach the ribbon drawstring!!

7) Get your ribbon or string . To determine how long of pieces you will need- measure the width of your bag. Double that number and then add 12. (For example- the width of your bag is 10 " - You would cut out 2 pieces of ribbon that are 32 inch each. )

8) Cut 2 pieces of ribbon to that size .

9) Put a safety pin through the ribbon end .

10) Using the safety pin to hold on to, thread your drawstring into the casing, scooching it along inch by inch. Go in one side, through to the other side, and come out where you started.

11) Repeat step 10 for the opposite side of the bag.

12) Tie the ribbon together on each side . If your ribbon might fray- use a bit of Fray Stop on the end of the ribbon .

13) Whoola- you are done!!