happythings

DSB 401: Padded drawstring bag with slacker casing

Ok, one last tutorial before I need a break.  This one is made just like DSB 301 with a couple variations.  It has a padded lining (good for cameras, etc.)  Also, by chance, I discovered a very good slacker way to make the casing.  See below.

I'm not going to picture or desribe 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.

1.  It starts the same as DSB 301, but make it whatever size you want.  Just cut the two lining panels the same width as the outer fabric and leave about 3 inches in the center open.

2.  To create the padded lining, cut a piece of batting smaller than your lining fabric, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch for the seam.  You could cut the batting the same size I guess and sew the seam with the batting inside, but I've been using this for camera stuff and wanted to minimize lint.  Zigzag stitch around the perimeter of the batting to hold it in place.  Also, if the bag is larger than 6 inches, you'll probably want to stitch a few lines of quilting in either direction to secure the batting some more.

3.  Same as before, sew the two short ends, right sides together.  Open and press towards the lining.

4.  Also same as before, fold the bag in half lengthwise, right sides in.  Pin down the sides and around the corner, leavning a gap for turning.  No, this time you don't have to worry about leaving a gap anywhere for the casing -- just sew 'er up.  We'll figure it out later.

5.  No surprises here.  Flip the bag right side out, press seams.  Close up bottom and top stitch closed.

6.  Stuff the lining into the bag, adjusting ends until the lining sits at the bottom of the bag.  It's a little easier with the padding actually.  Iron to settle the edges and set the top edge.

7.  Now, since we didn't leave a gap in the side seam for a casing, we will just decide where we want it.  Sew two lines of stitches around the bag, beginning and ending at a side seam.  I sewed one right on the border between lining and black and one about an inch higher.  BE SURE TO BACKSTITCH as you go over both of the side seams.  You'll need those secure... cause here comes....

8.  Yes, the handy seam ripper.  On the outside of the bag, CAREFULLY open the side seam between the two lines of stitches.  Don't rip out the perpendicular stitches that you just made. 

9.  Now you have your casing, slacker style.  Just thread in the cord as described in previous tutorials and you are ready to hit the road.  Hooray for slacker sewing.  (Hmmm, ask me how I figured it out.  It wouldn't have anything to do with 9 lens bags for my Dad's birthday, could it?)

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.

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.

DSB 201: Lined Drawstring Bag, with backpack variation

 

Here's the next variation.  It is still very simple and is constructed basically the same way as the 101 version, but it has a lining fabric.  I will go through each step in detail again.  I don't know about you, but I don't learn everything on the first try.

See previous post here for an explanation about why I am writing these tutorials.
See previous tutorial here if you've never sewn anything and need a little bit more help.

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

1.  Start with 2 pieces of fabric cut the same size -- determined by the size you want your bag.  Remember, you'll lose about an inch and a quarter x2 on the ends (at least) and a 1/4 inch x 2 on the sides.  Lay the fabrics right sides together and pin the two shorter sides.
2.  Using a 1/4 inch seam, sew the two shorter sides together.

3.  Flip the fabrics right side out, and press the seam flat as seen above.

4.  Now, sew a line of stitches about one inch down from the top (or first seam) to create your casing.  Do this on both ends.  Remember to secure your stitches at the beinning and end.  Note:  If you are going to make a backpack, you'll want to use thicker cording -- so make the size of this casing large enough to accomodate two pieces of your cord with ease.

**5.  Fold your bag in half with the lining fabric on the outside.  Pin up the sides, stopping where your casing begins.  Sew up the sides using a 1/4 inch seam, stopping right where your casing begins.
** If you are doing the backpack variation, before you do step 5 see note at end of tutorial.
6.  Turn the bag right side out and press the seams flat.

7.  Cut 2 pieces of cord to desired length.  The length is width of your bag x 2 + about 6 more inches for knotting. (**For backpack variation, see below.) 

8.  Put a safety pin through the cord.  If it is something that frays easily, wrap the end with a little tape before inserting the safety pin.  To make it easy to scooch, use the biggest safety pin that will fit through your casing easily.

9.  Using the safety pin to hold on to, thread your drawstring into the casing, scooching it along inch by inch.  Go in one side, through to the other side, and come out where you started.

 

10.  Do the same with the other piece of cord, but start on the opposite side this time.  When you are done, you'll have the picture above.

11. Tie a simple knot to secure your drawstring by holding the two ends of one string even, forming a loop in the cord and pulling the end through.  You can make the knot quite close to the bag.  Repeat on the other side.
12.  Cut the ends of your cord off even, an inch from your knot -- or closer/further depending on what you want.  If your cord might fray, dab it with a little craft glue (like Tacky Glue) or fray stopping liquid (such as Stop Fray) and let it dry.
13.  You are done!  Celebrate.

Note:  This bag has exposed, unfinished seams on the inside.  It is fine for casual but is probably unsuitable for hard use or washing.  You could finish the seam with a serger I guess, but if you know how to use a serger, then you probably aren't reading this.  **Or, read comments on the previous post for more ideas on ways to finish your seams.** Thanks, Toni and Mom.  I'll have to try these ideas.

FOR BACKPACK VARIATION:
Full disclosure.  This idea was published in Good Things for Kids by Martha Stewart, Winter 2006, page 26-27.   

Before step 5 above, insert a loop of your cording (about 3 inches long) into your seam near the bottom of the bag.  The loop side should face inside your bag.  When sewing up the sides, you might want to stitch back and forth over this part before going on with your seam -- just to make it a little stronger. 

For a backpack, you'll choose thicker cording and you'll need more of it.  In a completed bag below, you can see you'll thread the cord through the top the same way, but then bring the cord down and through these loops at the bottom of the bag before making the knot.  The knot needs to be big enough that it doesn't slip through the loop (or just tie it to the loop like I did, if all else fails.)

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.

DSB (Drawstring Bag) 101: Simple Drawstring Bag

This is the simplest drawstring bag I could think of.  It is made with just one fabric.  I used ribbon for the drawstrings, but you could use anything.  It is easily adaptable to any and all sizes.  Here's how in excruciating detail.

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.

1.  Cut your fabric to the desired size.  Remember, you'll lose about an inch and a quarter x2 on the ends and a 1/4 inch x 2 on the sides.  (This is for beginners, remember...)
2.  As seen above, lay your fabric right side down on the ironing board.  Fold one of the short edges of your fabric up 1/4 inch and press.  Then fold up again 1 inch and press again.  This fold will create your casing for the drawstring.

3.  As seen above, sew on top of the fold, close to it, to secure the casing.  Be sure to overstitch at the beginning and end (go back and forth to secure your stitches.)  In the future, be sure to do this anytime you will not be sewing over the line of stitching again, or your stitches might come out.  This is especially important if you are going to stress the seam by pulling a drawstring through it or weighing it down by putting heavy objects in the bag...)

4.  Fold your bag in half, right sides together.  Pin up the sides, stopping where your casing begins.  Sew up the sides using a 1/4 inch seam, stopping right where your casing begins.
5.  Turn the bag right side out and press the seams flat.

6.  Cut 2 pieces of ribbon or some sort of string to desired length.  The length is width of your bag x 2 + about 6 more inches for knotting. Put a safety pin through the ribbon or whatever you are using.  If it is something that frays easily, wrap it with a little tape before inserting the safety pin.  To make it easy to scooch, use the biggest safety pin that will fit through your casing easily.

7.  Using the safety pin to hold on to, thread your drawstring into the casing, scooching it along inch by inch.  Go in one side, through to the other side, and come out where you started.

8.  Do the same with the other ribbon, but start on the opposite side this time.  When you are done, you'll have the picture above.

9.  Tie a simple knot to secure your drawstring by holding the two ends of one string even, forming a loop in the ribbon and pulling the end through.  You can make the knot quite close to the bag.  Repeat on the other side.

10.  Cut the ends of your ribbon off even, an inch from your knot -- or closer/further depending on what you want.  If your drawstring material might fray, dab it with a little craft glue (like Tacky Glue) or fray stopping liquid (such as Stop Fray) and let it dry.
11.  You are done!  Dance a jig. 

Note:  This bag has exposed, unfinished seams on the inside.  It is fine for casual use such as a little gift bag, but is probably unsuitable for hard use or washing.  You could finish the seam with a serger I guess, but if you know how to use a serger, then you probably aren't reading this.

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.

Drawstring bags a plenty: A teaser

This is for you.  Yes, you.  You asked for it, and now, finally, here it is.  A drawstring backpack tutorial.  Well, almost.  Here's the thing....

For my own sanity's sake, I am going to assume that if you are seeking sewing advice from me, you are a beginner.  So, I am going to start at the beginning.  I am going to post a series of tutorials, starting at the most basic drawstring bag and work my (our) way up through a series of variations until I reach the Mama Backpack.  I'm still working on writing them and will post as I get them done.  This is the teaser.

Here's what is ahead:
1.  Simple drawstring bag  (yellow print)
2.  Lined drawstring bag and backpack variation (white print)
3.  Better lined drawstring bag (blue print)
4.  Padded drawstring bag (black)
5.  Mama backpack (brown stripe)

If that is not enough, I am building up to even more tutorials, including (hold on to your hats) a drawstring skirt.  Crazy, but true.

Why am I doing all this? 
1.  Because I love to find your tutorials and I've learned so much from them.  This blogland of crafters is an amazing place full of creative women and lovely energy.  These are a little payback.
2.  Because I wanted to make a drawstring bag for a long time and couldn't figure out how to make one.  I bought a pattern and couldn't follow it.  I searched the internet and, although all authorities claimed it was so easy that it was often assigned as a beginning sewing class assignment for middle schoolers, I couldn't figure it out.  Finally, my mom (She's the best!) taught me.  I pass on her knowledge.  And I hope these tutorials do her justice.
3.  Because, now, I can.
4.  Because I think I will now set out to become a repository of "All Things Drawstring."  I think this will be "my thing."  I can't believe how many variations there are, and I have only scratched the surface.  I am a little crazed for drawstrings at the moment.
5.  Because I am looking forward to seeing your projects!!  If you make any of them, please comment and include a link!

So... as soon as I can get it done.... #1.  Oh, and don't worry -- Everything was made Using What I Have!  April is here.