Today we have a guest post from Katie of Running With a Glue Gun! Just in time for spring, she’ll be showing us how to make these adorable DIY drawstring bags – perfect for tossing your essentials in when you’re on the go. It’s an easy bag pattern that anyone can make!
With the nice spring weather upon us, you may be out and about a bit more frequently. You might be going to the beach, going to the gym, hiking or simply running more errands. With all that running about you’re liable to need a bag that is not a hassle to carry and that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Well, today I’m going to be showing you how to make a simple Floral Drawstring Bag which is not only easy to carry but inexpensive to make!
The fabric that I will be using in this tutorial is bandanas! Yes, bandanas! Now, you may have never thought of using bandanas as fabric before. However, they are a great option to use as fabric because they’re inexpensive and come in a variety of patterns. In this case, I’m using a floral pattern for spring but you could use any pattern that floats your boat!
If you’re getting spring fever and want to find out how to make your own floral drawstring bag, then check out the full tutorial below!
Supplies
- 2 Bandanas
- Needle
- Thread
- Sewing Pins
- Cording
- Safety Pin
- Measuring Tape
- Scissors
- Sewing Machine (optional)
Before Getting Started…
For this project, I opted to sew everything by hand, but you don’t have to. If you feel more comfortable using your sewing machine, by all means, sew away. The size of this bag (when completed) will be 15 x 17 inches. However, if you want to make your bag smaller or bigger, you can adjust the measurements and use this DIY as a guide while sewing.
Step 1: Cut out two pieces of fabric which measure 16 inches by 18 inches.
Step 2: Take one piece of your fabric and flip it over so the wrong side is facing up towards you. Then fold down the top edge by 1 inch and pin it into place. Once your edge has been folded over, sew it down by sewing a straight line across your fabric. Make sure that you sew towards the bottom of your folded edge (not the middle) because you will want to be able to run your cord through later.
Repeat this step for the other side of your fabric.
Step 3: Pin both pieces of your fabric right-sides together. Then cut a piece of cord that is about 54 inches long. Once you have your cord you’re ready to begin creating the drawstring portion of the bag.
To add your cord, simple take one end of your cord (with a safety pin attached to the end) and run it through the top edge of your fabric. Then take that same end and run it through the other top edge of your second piece of fabric (at this point both ends of your cord should be on one side). Finally, take that same end (with the safety pin), and run it through the top edged of your fabric again.
Once this is all done, you should have the cord coming out from both sides of your fabric.
Step 4: Now take both ends of your cord (the safety pin should now be removed) and stick them inside your bag. Then take the ends and place them on both sides of your bag and pull them out just a bit (look at the above photo for reference). Pin both cords into place and begin sewing around all three sides of your bag.
Once your bag is completely sewed, flip it right-side out and you’re done!
Wasn’t that easy?
This project would be great to make if you’re a beginner sewer who is looking for that first ”fashion project”. Also, even though I made a simple drawstring bag, you could make your drawstring bag fancier by sewing on pockets, charms or other embellishments!
For more great sewing tutorials, check out Running With a Glue Gun!
If you made this Drawstring Bag, what pattern of fabric would you use?
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