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Drawstring Bags
Barb
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Click
here to purchase this fabric online from JConklinDesigns!
 These
versatile little bags have eight handy pockets inside to store everything
from jewelry to sewing supplies and yarn. The bags close tightly with
drawstrings which double as handles. Since the bags are made with two
sizes of circles, you can make them any size you wish to fit the use you
have in mind. They can be made from almost any type of fabric that isn't
too heavy. Cotton is the easiest to work with.
Materials
½ to 1 yard each of two different
fabrics. Amount depends on the size of the bag you make - see page 3 for
choices. Sample bag is large which requires 1 yard each of 2 fabrics.
Matching thread.
Scrap of Tear Away or heavy paper to
stabilize fabric while making buttonholes.
1½ - 2 yards of silk cording for
drawstrings (see last page for amounts). Sample bag requires 1 yard of
cording. Although silk pulls easiest, other types of cording may also be
used.
4 - 8 inch square of heavy plastic for
bottom insert (see last page for size). Heavy template plastic works
great.
Another great suggestion (from another knitter!): Use an old CD!
Instructions
- Cut 2 large circles and 2 small
circles of fabric. (See circle dimensions on last page.) Sample bag
uses 24" for large circle and 20" for inside smaller circle.
The difference between the sizes of the 2 circles creates the size of
the ruffle above the drawstring. You can use the fabrics in any ways
you wish: the same for one outside circle and one inside circle, one
fabric for the outside and the rest of the circles from another
fabric, etc. You may layer the fabric and cut both circles of the same
size at the same time.
- Cut the appropriate size of bottom
insert from heavy plastic. (See last page.)
- Cut the appropriate size of cording
in half for drawstrings.
- Make two ½" long buttonholes
in the outside large circle parallel to each other. Make the
buttonholes end the same distance down from the outside edge that the
inside circle beings (see diagram). Use the Tear Away or other
stabilizer as a backing behind the fabric while making the
buttonholes. Cut the holes and then tear off the stabilizer.
- After making the buttonholes and
removing the stabilizer, place the two large circles right sides
facing and pin. Place the two small circles right sides facing and
pin. Sew around the outside edges leaving a 2-inch opening for
turning. (I make the seam about 1/8" wide.) TIP: Make sure the
circles are placed together with the straight of grain running the
same direction. This will prevent puckering later.
6.
- Turn the circles right-side out
through the openings and press. After pressing the circles, fold the
small circle in half and press to mark the pocket seam line. Repeat
folding in half the other direction and pressing, and so on until you
have 8 pocket sections.
- Top stitch around both circles
close to edges, being careful to sew openings closed. Then sew around
the large circle twice more, at the top edge of the buttonholes and
the bottom edge of the buttonholes. (See diagram.) Use tape to mark
seam width on machine if necessary.
- Place plastic circle in the center
on the inside of the large fabric circle and secure with a dab of glue
stick. Place small fabric circle over the plastic circle and secure
with another dab of glue. Make sure both the plastic circle and the
small fabric circle are centered on the large circle. Fingernail
crease or draw a line around the plastic circle on the inside small
circle and stitch. TIP: I mark the center of the large circle and
small circle with a pin, and I mark the center of the plastic with a
pencil or pen. Then I stick a pin through all three at the center to
line them up.
- If the pressed lines on the small
fabric circle are difficult to see, mark them with a pencil or chalk.
With the small circle up, sew from the seam you stitched around the
plastic shape on the small circle out to the edge of the small circle
fabric along each pressed line. Be sure to back tack a few times. Also
be careful not to sew into the casing area on the large circle.
 Tie
drawstrings (one at a time) through a safety pin and thread through
the casing made with the buttonholes and stitching. Thread one
drawstring in and out of one buttonhole and the other one in and out
of the other buttonhole. Tie the two ends of the same drawstring
together. The drawstrings should be short enough to keep the bag
upright when completely pulled open. TIP: Use a dab of Fray Check, or
other fabric glue, on the ends of the cording to prevent fraying.
Dimensions and Materials
Small
Bag
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Fabric: 12 yard
each of 2 fabrics
4 1/2" circle of plastic
1 1/3 yard silk cording for drawstrings
Cut: Large Circle - 14"
diameter
Small circle - 11
½" diameter |
Medium
Bag
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Fabric: 2/3 yard
each of 2 fabrics
6" circle of plastic
1 ¾ yards silk cording for drawstrings
Cut: Large Circle - 21"
diameter
Small circle -
18" diameter |
Large
Bag
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Fabric:
1 yard each of 2 fabrics
7" circle of plastic
2 yards silk cording for drawstrings
Cut: Large Circle - 24"
diameter
Small circle - 20"
diameter |
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