Library Makerspace

You will need:

• Fabric
  • For smaller bags, a lightweight fabric such as quilting cotton works well; you can re-purpose an old blouse or dress
  • For larger bags, you can use any weight of fabric, including heavier-weight fabrics such as canvas, denim, or home decorator fabrics - this is a good project for re-purposing a pair of jeans or cushion
• Ribbon or cord
• Thread in a matching or coordinating colour
• Ruler
• Marking pen or pencil
• Safety pin (for threading ribbon or string)

Step 1 - Cut your fabric to size

1. Determine the finished size of your bag; we'll use 6" wide by 8" long for our purposes here, but you can make it any size (as long as you have enough fabric for it)
2. For the width, add 1-1/2" - so our width will be 6" + 1-1/2" = 7-1/2"
3. For the length, determine if you will use one piece of fabric folded in the middle, or 2 pieces sewn together (there would be a seam at the bottom of the bag):
   • One piece that is twice the finished length plus 3" - our bag would be 8" x 2 + 3" = 19"
   • Two pieces that are each the finished length plus 3-3/4" - so the length of each piece would be 8" + 3-3/4" = 11-3/4" 
4. Cut one piece of fabric 7-1/2" x 19" or cut two pieces of fabric 7-1/2" x 11-3/4" each

Note: the finished dimensions of your bag likely do not need to be exact. Just recognize that your bag will be 1-1/2" narrower and 3" shorter than whatever size you cut your fabric when sewn together.

Step 2 - Mark your fabric

1. Lay your fabric on a flat surface with the wrong (back) side of the fabric facing you. (0:10)
2. With your ruler and a marking pen, draw a line 3/4" from the short edge of your fabric (along the width - in this example, it would be the 7-1/2" edge). 
3. Draw another line 3/4" below the first one.
4. Make a mark 3/4" below the second line and 3/4" in from each side.
5. Draw a diagonal line from the mark you made to the edge of the line above it on each edge of the fabric - you will carefully cut along this line. (0:16)

If using a single piece of fabric, do this at each end.

If using two pieces of fabric, do this at one end of each piece.

These will become the top edges of your bag and the channels through which you will thread your ribbon or cord.

Step 3 - Sew the channels for your drawstring

1. Lay one marked end of the fabric on an ironing surface with the wrong side facing up (you will be able to see the marked lines)
2. Fold in one edge along the diagonal cut line about 3/8", then again so that the edge is flush with the point you marked; stitch about 1/4" from the edge (note: this part is not show in the video below, but it creates a nice finish to each end to the channel and makes it easier to thread the ribbon/cord later). (0:23)
   
3. Repeat on the remaining marked edges.
4. Now fold the top edge down so that it meets the 2nd marked line, then fold again on the 2nd marked line so that the edge is now flush with the 2 points you marked; sew 5/8" from the top folded edge to create the channel. Be sure to backstitch at both ends. (0:38)
   
5. Repeat on the remaining marked edge.

Step 4 - Sew the sides of your bag together

1. With the right (pretty) side of your fabric facing out and wrong sides facing together, align the top edges (i.e, the channel edges) of your bag to each other. (1:35)
2. Fold down the triangles on the front and back so that they are even with the bottom of the channel and the side of the bag; pin in place if you need to. The wrong side of the triangle will be what you see. (1:40)
3. Stitch 1/4" inside the long edge on each side, catching the edges of the triangles in your seam; this will close up the sides of your bag and created a finished edge along the top of the seam. Be sure to backstitch at the start and finish. (1:46)
   
4. Turn the bag inside out and press so the seams lay flat. Stitch 1/2" inside the long edge on each side; this will enclose the raw edges and create a nicely finished seam. Backstitch at the start and finish. (2:10)
   
5. If your bag has a bottom seam (rather than a folded edge), you'll need to repeat steps 3 and 4 on the bottom seam:
   • Turn your bag right side out match up the bottom edges of the bag.
   • Stitch 1/4" inside the bottom edge, being sure to backstitch at the start and finish.
   • Turn your bag inside out, press the bottom seam flat, and stitch 1/2" inside the bottom edge of the bag.
6. Turn your bag right side out. (2:44)

Step 5 - Thread the ribbon or cord

1. Cut two pieces of ribbon or cord about 3 times the finished width of your bag. For a bag 6" wide you would cut two pieces of ribbon or cord 18" long.
2. Attach one end of one piece of the ribbon or cord to a safety pin. If using ribbon, you can pin through it; if using cord, tie a knot in the end and thread the pin through the knot. (Note: in the video the sewist has a tool especially for this - we're going low-tech.)
3. Starting at one edge of the channel facing you, thread the ribbon or cord through the channel, then continue through the second channel. (2:55)
4. Detach the safety pin, match the two ends of the ribbon or cord and tie an overhand knot; pull the knot tight. (3:14)
5. Repeat Steps 2-4, this time starting at the opposite edge of the bag. You should now have knots on both side of the bag. (3:20)
6. Pull the knots on the ribbon or cord to close the bag, and push against the looped edges of the ribbon or cord to open the bag. (3:41)