Drawstring Bag Tutorial

If you read my last post, you will know that I needed to make 20 drawstring bags this week for an upcoming event.  After creating the pattern and making a couple of mock-ups to get the measurements right for the size I needed, I made a schedule for getting them done in the time frame I was working with.

One day I did all the cutting and clipped together the body pieces readying them for sewing, which was Tuesday's task.  The 'body' should measure 12 x 12.5, with the fold at the bottom and the clips on the side.

For each bag, I cut:

one 12 x 25-inch rectangle for the body (If fabric is directional, take this into consideration when cutting.)  

in addition, for each bag I cut ...

one 2.5 x 23-inch strip for the facing (I folded this piece in half making it 1.25 x 23 and pressed it.)

one 5.5 x 11-inch rectangle for the loops (I turned under a quarter inch on both sides and stitched it down.  Then cut each in half into a 2.25 x 11-inch piece.  That piece then got folded in half and pressed with the finished piece measuring approximately 1.12 x 11) Each bag needs two of these pieces which will be the loops.

The next day I stitched up the body pieces using French seams.

I clipped the 'loop' pieces to each side of the bags (front and back)

Next, I fit the facing piece to the size of the bag opening, stitched the facing closed making a circle and then clipped it on over the loop pieces.

I stitched it all down, turned it, top stitched it and pressed it all.

For the last step I ran the cording through creating a 'draw string' for each bag.

I loved the way these turned out and can't wait to show you how they will be used for an upcoming event.

These make up really fast and once I got the design down and the kinks worked out, I speed through the sewing process.  This is definitely a method that I will use over and over, in fact, I think I will make up several to go in my gift trunk for gift giving purposes.

What's next in my sewing world?  Well, it's time to get the summer wardrobe out, see what I have, what I can restyle if I didn't wear it last summer and what I need to add.

What are you stitching up and or creating?

mrs. patsi @ Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine

My other blogs:

A Working Pantry

From This Heart of Mine

It's Been a Minute or Two or Three or More ... Since My Last Post!

 ... but I finally have some completed projects to share with you ...

I started working on these two quilted zippered pouches before my hubby's medical event and I finally got around to finishing them a couple of weeks ago.  The largest one was made to carry my laptop or file folders.  When I teach a ladies Bible class or a children/teen Bible class, I usually need to carry one or both.  This pouch is large enough to protect both.  The smaller one was made for the purpose of protecting my iPad when I need to carry it away from home for any purpose.

I love sewing up pretty things for my needs and being able to customize according to those needs is so helpful as well as practical!

Are you sick of seeing my 'santa sacks?'  I finished up three more and of all the fabric combinations I've used, I think these reds are my favorite!

And finally, these drawstring bags were made for pattern designing purposes.  I need to make 20 this upcoming week and I wanted the process to be simple and streamlined as much as possible.  So, taking into consideration what I wanted the finished bags to look like, I set to work making a pattern.  I cut out and made one, taking the time to make notes as I stitched it up.  After finishing the first one, I tweaked the measurements and instructions a bit and made a second one.  I was delighted with the way they both turned out and am all set to start on the 20 I need to do this week.  These two will go in my gift trunk for gift giving purposes as needed.

What have you been stitching up?

mrs. patsi @ Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine

My other blogs:

A Working Pantry

From This Heart of Mine