Drawstring Bag Tutorial

I often have scrappy bits of bias tape hanging around and this is one of the ways that I have found to use them. Note: The bias tape I've used is not actually cut on the bias....it is all cut on the straight grain. For more information on how to make bias tape, there are great instructions here.

Warning: There are lots of photos and lots of thread colour changes involved in this tutorial.

Disclaimer: I'm an aussie but this I've used quilting rulers to make these drawstring bags so all of my measurements are in inches (sorry about that)! I will try to convert to centimetres as I go along.

Step 1:

Cut 2 pieces of fabric for the outer bag - 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches - 24.1 cm x 24.1 cm

Cut 2 pieces of fabric for the inner bag - 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches - 24.1 cm x 24.1 cm

Step 2:

Place right sides together (separately) for the inner and outer.

For the outer bag, sew along 3 sides using a 1/4 inch seam (0.6 cm)

For the inner bag, sew along 3 sides using a slightly larger seam allowance, but remember to leave a small opening at the bottom, and backstitch at the edges of the opening.

Step 3:

Outer bag - clip the bottom corners to take away the bulkiness, turn right side out and iron flat.

Step 4:

Make bias tape following the instructions for your bias tape maker.

I cut a strip 2 inches wide (5.1 cm) x 18 inches long (45.7 cm) and used my Clover 25 Bias Tape maker.

Step 5:

Turn the ends of the bias tape over and iron flat

Step 6:

Pin the bias tape onto the outer bag (1 inch from the top of the bag) - 2.5 cm from top.

Step 7:

Sew the bias tape onto the outer bag along the top edge and the bottom edge. Don't sew along the end as this is where the drawstring will thread through later.

Step 8:

Place the outer bag inside the inner bag - the right side of the outer bag will be facing the right side of the inner bag.

Step 9:

Secure the top edges together using pins or clips.

Step 10:

Check that the layers are even.

Step 11:

Topstitch along the top using a 1/4 inch seam allowance (0.6 cm)

Step 12:

Pull the outer bag through the small gap at the bottom of the inner bag

Step 13:

Stitch the gap closed at the bottom of the inner bag

Step 14:

Push the inner bag back inside the outer bag and topstitch very close to the edge.

Step 15:

It's now time to make the drawstring. You can really use anything you like for a drawstring but I'm using bias tape again.

Cut a strip 2 inches wide (5.1 cm) x 38 inches long (96.5 cm).

Make the bias tape and then fold in half (keeping the raw edges inside) and iron flat.

Step 16:

Stitch the bias tape closed along the outer edge and the ends.

Step 17:

Attach a safety pin and thread the drawstring through the open channel on the bag.

Step 18:

Just to ensure that the drawstring doesn't get tugged out acidentally, it's a good idea to stitch it in place on the opposite side to the channel opening.

Step 19:

The drawstring is now securely stitched into place

Step 20:

The finished product!

These can be made in many different sizes so just scale up the measurements to suit the size that you need.

This is......my trade secret

Well actually it's probably no secret that 'My Trade Secret' would have to be my bias tape makers...........

I use them constantly for all sorts of things.....blanket edging, apron trim and straps, bag handles, drawstring bags, potholder trim.....anything I can find!

I'm even going to use them for the next pair of Moo Moo pants....I have the idea in my brain already.....I'm going to make a pair of corduroy pants and use the cow print to trim the pocket and the bottom leg seams.

I bought mine online from Clegs (you place the order online and they call back to confirm and get payment).

My next trade secret is my trusty Snap Setter.......

You just place the bottom part of the snap on the bottom plate, put the fabric over it, put the middle plate on top, add the top part of the snap, then place the top plate on and give it a few whacks with a hammer. It's quick and easy!

The snaps are available in all sorts of different styles and colours....I've used them on bibs, bags, notepad covers, and baby bjorn covers.

I bought the cool hammer from Snapsource too. When you take it apart it has a set of four screwdrivers....it's perfect for any crafty chick!

This is a gadget that I bought at Big W on Friday.....I don't know whether it's worthy of being a trade secret but it was only about $1.65 so I thought I'd grab it and test it out!

Thanks to the lovely Angela for hosting 'This is' and to Amelia for such a fantastic theme....I can't wait to go and check out everybody else's secrets!

This is........my latest discovery

Anyone who has been reading this blog would know straight away what my latest discovery is!

My Clover Bias Tape Makers that I bought from Clegs.......

......and then this is my next discovery, crochet supplies to take to Brown Owls tomorrow night.
Brown Owl has asked me to bring crochet hooks in size 3s, 4s and 5s. I wasn't sure what that meant but I found 3mm, 4mm and 5mm so I'm hoping that's correct. Can someone please let me know if it isn't so I can pop back into Spotlight tomorrow and exchange them.

Thanks to Angela for hosting this lovely meme and RheLynn for this weeks theme. Hope everyone's having a lovely sunny Sunday!

More lovely mail!

Look what the postie delivered today! Some gorgeous fabric that I ordered from Corrie at Retromummy. She's having a sale until Sunday so get in while you can.

I'm going to use the blue Jack & the Beanstalk fabric to make something for my twin nephews who are on the way (maybe some small snuggle blankies). I think I might applique the monkeys onto some t-shirts or use some as a feature panel on some bibs.

The polkadots are all for me me me! Just have to decide what I want to make for me me me!

Also in todays mail were the Clover Bias Tape Makers that I ordered from Clegs on Monday.

Now I can start on the flannel wraps using this huge stash of fabric!

I wonder if the Postie is sick of delivering parcels yet???