DSB 301: Better lined drawstring bag

OK, we're flying now.  Here's a nice little bag that is constructed in a different way.  It has a lining and no exposed seams, so it's great for long term use.  Thanks, Mom, for a Christmas time lesson. 

I'm not going to picture every step so if you are confused, go back to previous tutorials.  See previous post here for an explanation about why I am writing these tutorials.

By the way, click each photo for a slightly larger view if you need it.

( I am going to go ahead and give measurement for this one because it is easier to explain the technique.  If you are new to sewing, you should make one this size first, then try another size and see if you can adapt the pattern.  It's fun!)
1.  Cut your outside fabric 16x7 inches.  Cut 2 pieces of your lining fabric 6.5x7 inches.  Lay down the outside fabric face up and place the two lining pieces, as shown, face down with the ends lined up.  Pin and sew a 1/4 inch seam. 

2.  Press the seam towards the lining and open up.  You'll have the above photo.

3.  Fold the bag in half, right sides together, making sure to line up the seam in the middle and keeping the excess fabric in the seam towards the lining side.  Pin sides and open end together. 
4.  Measuring from the folded end, mark a 3/4 inch gap for the casing starting 5 3/4 inches from the fold.  The gap is marked with double pins in the photo above. 
5.  Using a 1/4 inch seam, sew from the folded end, up the sides, stopping at the gap and backstitching.  Start again on the other side of the gap, backstitching, and sew up the rest of the side and turn the corner to sew part of the end (bottom of the lining).  Don't sew the bottom all the way, cause you need to flip it through there.  Repeat on the other side.

6.  Now flip it right side out and poke your corners square with a pencil or something.

7.  Fold and press the end of your lining that didn't get sewn so the seams lay even.  Pin.

8.  Finish the lining bottom by top stitching from one end to the other, making sure to close the open part of the seam in the middle.

9.  Now for the magic.  Hold on to the bottom of the lining and shove it inside the bag!  The lining is shorter than the outside, so fool with it until you get it pushed down into the bottom of the bag and the corners are all laying flat.  Press the bottom and sides, and especially the top to create a crisp fold for the top edge of the bag. 

10.  You'll notice, if all has gone well, that your gap that you left in the side seam will show up about 1/2 inch down from the top of the bag.  This will be the gap for your casing.

11.  Starting at one side seam, sew two lines of stitches around the bag:  one below the gap for the casing and again above it.  You should probably backstitch a little as you go over the side seams where the casing openings are.

12.  Insert cording as described in previous tutorials.  You are done!

Isn't that a nice little method?  The top and inside seams look very finished.

If you try this, please let me know if something is confusing and I'll see if I can clarify.  If you have success, share with me and everyone by posting a comment with a link to your blog or photo if possible.  Happy sewing from happythings.

Comments

[Birdypups]

You are just on a roll this weekend! Wonderful!

[Angela]

Wowie Zowie! That looks so much easier than the one I figured out. I'm gonna have try yours. Nice tutorial and I like the fabric on this one.

[Mimulus]

I love AQUA!

[beki]

Okay, I gotta try this out!

[Bessilu]

Thanks for this, I'm want to make one!

[autum]

Thanks so much!! What a thorough tutorial. I am definitely going to try this one.

[Sarah]

Hey! I have some of that same fabric! :) What fabulous taste you have! Great tutorials.

[Toni]

Such a great method! Thank you! I love the fabric too.

[joanna]

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I'm going to have to try out this drawstring bag. I love the fabrics you chose. BTW, I used to live in Ypsitucky! :)

[joanna]

Thanks so much for the tutorial! It was easy to follow and the bags turned out sooo cute. I will be making many more. They're here, if you want to take a look :)

http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2006/04/happy-things.html

[Belinda]

HI,

I found your blog through stardust shoes. Just wanted to thankyou for the tut on drawstring bags. I made a couple as gift bags and they turned out so cute. Thanks again :)http://sewiknit.blogspot.com/ A pics of them are here (3rd post down) if you want to take a look.

[Amy]

For the comment above, the permalink is:
http://sewiknit.blogspot.com/2006/04/down-to-wire.html
Thanks Belinda!

[jan andrea]

This is great! I found you through One Hour Crafts. I do a lot of tutorials myself, so I can really appreciate it ;) I needed a drawstring bag for my brother-in-law's present, and this was very timely. Thanks!

[Jennifer]

Hello!
I have just finished making two little drawstring bags following your tutorial from last April. It was so easy to follow your instructions and the finished bags are great - thank you so much for sharing this with us.

This is a link to some photos of the bags I made...
http://jellybeanlupin.blogspot.com/search/label/drawstring%20bags

[mari]

great, loved, getting back home to get started on this right now! thank you ver so much!xx

[Vicki]

Wonderful! I am making bean bags for my dd's birthday party favors. I might just have to make them a lovely bag to live in! As an FYI- I keep chopsticks in my sewing/crafting area for poking out corners. They're skinny all the way up, but don't have lead. Thank you!!

[Sam]

Pure Genius! I love it. Thanks for sharing

[Péitseoga]

that's a great way of making a lined drawstring bag! it would have helped me making this http://peitseoga.blogspot.com/2007/01/recycling-some-practice-projects.html backpack, I made it as I went along without a pattern or clear plan of what was going to happen next, and i didn't think i'd done the casing very well...

[Holly]

Love these tutorials!!

I am confused about how the cording goes into this one with the lining. Are you trimming the side seam open?? I feel so dense!

Thank you so much, I can't wait to make some of these and the backpacks.

[Péitseoga]

i couldn't get this tutorial out of my head and had to try it, so tonight i made a lovely pink and green bag! it was really straightforward and looks so neat! thanks again!!

[canie]

I hate you, you make so beautiful things I wanted to do myself. Thanks a lot for your tutorials, I'll test some (this one first, it seems simple :) )

Canie
(sorry for my bad english ^^;)

[ohelene]

Thanks for the tutorial. I've made one bag and have one in the making. I'll try to post the photos one of the days and comment again.

[Krista]

I've made this bag three times now, and figured I should come by and let you know what a lovely little tut this is. Thank you!
Actually, all of your tuts are great and I look forward to trying more.
You can see my latest bag on my Flickr with the little bear.

[Péitseoga]

I made the bag as a backpack now, in dark chocolate brown and bright bright red! i also put up pics of the other bag i made using your tutorial. http://peitseoga.blogspot.com/2007/02/more-drawstring-bags-they-truly-are.html
thanks again!

[StowmarKate]

Found you and made a dice bag for my husband - he loves gaming and is always looking for a neat bag. I think this fits the bill!! Thanks for a great tutorial!

http://stowmarkate.blogspot.com/2007/02/magical-bag.html