Quick Drawstring Bag

A quick and simple drawstring bag to hold your small items! These instructions assume that you are already familiar with your sewing machine. If you believe you are not yet there, I suggest following this instructable: https://www.instructables.com/Meet-Your-Sewing-Machine/ and returning to this one!

• Sewing Machine
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Twine(or any type of string)
• Iron and ironing surface
• Fabric pencil
• Ruler
• Clips or pins

Cut two pieces of fabric of the same size. I choose to make mine 8" x 6". You can cut whatever size your heart desires. However, keep in mind that these instructions have a 1/2" seam allowance. We will also need 2" to create the casing where the twine will be inserted. This means that the final size of the bag will be (initial width - 1") x (initial length - 2 1/2").

With right sides of fabric together, take the fabric pencil and mark a line 2" from the top. Additionally, mark 1/2" from the left and right side of the fabric stopping where the 2" mark is placed. Lastly, mark 1/2" from the bottom of the fabric.

Using your sewing machine, sew a straight stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance sewing the left, bottom, and right side together.

Using your scissors, cut along the 2" mark right before the stitches. Do not cut the stitches. Do this step for both sides.

(OPTIONAL):

To prevent the fabric from excessive fraying, use a serger (or an overlocker foot on your sewing machine).

OR using pinking shears cut the excess fabric beside the stitches, leaving a little bit behind so that fabric stay together.

Taking the sides of the unstitched part of the fabric, fold it inwards 1/4" and press it using the iron. Fold it once again by 1/4" so that it aligns with the stitch. Repeat it for each side of both fabrics. Pin/clip to keep it in place.

With the sides of the casing pressed, fold one side of the fabric down so that it is out of the way when sewing the hem. Sew the sides. Flip over, and repeat.

From the top of the casing, fold down 1/2" and press with the iron. Fold down again aligning the folded fabric with the 2" mark we made in the beginning. Press down and pin/clip it in place. Flip the piece over and repeat for the other side.

Like in step 6, fold down one side of the piece so that it is not in the way when sewing. With a 1 1/4" seam allowance, sew the casing down. Flip the piece over and repeat for the other side.

Flip the piece right side out. You should be able to start to see the bag taking shape. Exciting!

Cut the twine/string to be 4 times the width of the bag. Insert the safety pin through your string of choice. If your string tends to unravel, tie one end and then insert the safety pin.

Using the safety pin to lead, feed the twine through the casing and pull through. Once the twine passes through the first side of the casing, turn around and feed the twine through the other casing. Both end of the twine should meet on one side of the bag.

Lastly, tie the two ends of the string together. You are now finished!