Drawstring Bag Tutorial

 Ok, I'm officially in Christmas panic mode.  I still haven't finished shopping, I have tons of holiday baking to do, I haven't started wrapping, and I'm still sewing gifts...

 Yesterday I was whipping out several sets of my drawstring bags.  They make great gifts--quick to sew, super cute, and actually useful.  They fit perfectly over a mason jar, which is great for giving homemade goodies.

 As I was sewing, I realized I'd made the tutorial more complicated it needed to be.  There were several steps that I could simplify and make these even easier to make, so I thought I'd post an updated tutorial.

 What you need:  (for one drawstring bag)

• 11 x 15 inch rectangle for outside, Fabric A 
• 11 x 15 inch rectangle for lining, Fabric B
• 5" diameter circle of Fabric B
• 5" diameter circle of Fabric A
• 24 inch piece of 1/2 inch ribbon
• Thread to match

 Let's get sewing:  Use a 1/2" seam allowance.  In the photos, I'm sewing a blue bag (Fabric A) with a white lining (Fabric B)


1.  Fold both rectangles in half, right sides together, so you have 11 x 7.5 in. rectangles.

Pin the long sides at 2 inches and 1/2 inches from the ends as shown in the photo.  (I use color-coordinated pins.  I start at white and end at red.)  Sew between the pins, backstitching at both ends.

2.  Pin and sew the circle pieces to the rectangles, right sides together, to the ends with the 1/2" opening.  You can either match the bottoms, or you can swap your circles like the yellow and brown polka dot bag shown above.

3.   Turn Fabric A right-side out, then slip it inside your Fabric B. (You won't have a hole in your lining, just ignore that)

4.   Line up the top edges and the side seams.  Sew around the top edge, starting and stopping 1/2" from the V-shaped slit.

5.  Turn out through the V-slit.   Your bag should look like this:

6.   Tuck your Fabric B into Fabric A.  Tuck the V-slit edges under 1/2".  Topstitch 1/8" from the edge to close the opening.

7.   Fold down the top of the bag 3/4" to form the drawstring casing.  Remove the tray on your sewing machine and slide the bag over the end so you can easily sew the casing.  Topstitch 1/8" from the edge.

8.   Use a safety pin to thread the ribbon through the casing.  Make sure it isn't twisted, then knot the ends together.  Snip the ribbon ends at a diagonal, and you're finished!  

 -Lily

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