Guest Blog: Mini Drawstring Bag Tutorial By Jessica Gonacha

Jessica Gonacha shares a mini drawstring bag tutorial today on Indie Fixx. Jessica is participating in the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago this weekend, September 12th + 13th, and has been making the bags for customers’ purchases…as opposed to using paper or plastic disposable bags. What a wonderful idea. right?  Learn how to make your own bags for your craft show experience or to carry yuor embroidery, your lunch, or whatever have you.

by guest contributor Jessica Gonacha

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I’m not much of a measurer when it comes to sewing projects– I like things that are quick and simple to make and that aren’t too complicated for my basic sewing abilities. So, you could definitely make this project more precise, but I figure many of you are probably like me and want to make some cute stuff without much fuss! So, I give you, my version of a simple drawstring bag.

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1. Cut 2 pieces of fabric (the same size)– mine are about 5×7″, but you can choose any aide you please. Cut a shape of your choosing from a contrasting fabric that will fit easily on one of the fabric pieces. Also cut 2 pieces of ribbon that are slightly longer than the length of both pieces of fabric together.

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2. Fold down about 1/2″ at the top of each piece of fabric, and sew straight across, leaving the ends of the fold open.

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3. If you want a helper, cats work well. My cat likes to make sure I’m doing everything right!

4. Sew your shape (in my case, the pink heart) onto one of your pieces of fabric wherever you choose. I used a zig-zag stitch, because I like how it looks, but you can use whatever kind of stitch you’d like. You could even hand-sew it.

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5. Put your 2 pieces of fabric face to face (as shown) with the top sewn edges aligned.

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6. Sew around the 3 edges other than the top sewn edges, stopping before you get to the open ends, so the openings are not sewn shut. You’ll be putting the ribbon through these loops at the top.

7. Turn your bag inside out– it should now look like a little pillowcase, with the 2 loops at the top edge.

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8. Take one piece of the ribbon you cut in the beginning. Attach a safety pin to one end, and push all the way through the front loop. Then, continue pushing the ribbon through the back loop, going the opposite direction. You should end up with the ribbon going through both loops and ending up on the same side of the bag, as shown. Tie a knot so the ribbon is attached to itself and forms a pull-string.

9. Take your second piece of ribbon and attach the safety pin to one end. String through the loops again, this time starting on the other side, so the ribbons end up coming out on the opposite side as the first ribbon loop. Tie this ribbon in a knot as well, forming a pull-string going the other direction.

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10. Next, pull each ribbon outward and admire your finished drawstring bag!

11. Put things in your bag to see how it works. Suggestions: jewelry, snacks, pens and pencils, mini sketchbooks, make-up, business cards, and anything else you can think of! (I like to use these types of bags when traveling to put my jewelry in so it stays in one places.)

About the contributor: Jessica Gonacha is an artist from Atlanta, Georgia who is endlessly creating. Her work includes paintings, drawings, illustrations, paper goods andd more and can be described as vibrant, colorful, and charming. Her work can be found on her site, in her Etsy shop and in various online and brick and mortar boutiques . You can also read more about Jessica and her work on her blog called Treasuring. Also be sure to visit Pecannoot an homage to abundance and how we define it. 

15 comments

  1. I love this 🙂 So cute. I was wondering though if there would be any way to make a stuffed bag like this??? I have been searching for a tutorial on how to do that all over the internet :/

  2. I looked all over the net for directions for these little bags—YOURS WAS THE BEST!!!
    THANKS SO MUCH.

  3. I made one and it was great! You have a fantastic tutorial. I looked at 15 tutorials for a drawstring bag and yours was the simplest and easiest to understand. Thanks!

  4. It’s a good thing the helper cat was there to supervise. Thanks for the tutorial. These are a great idea even for Halloween treat bags for the neighborhood kids.

  5. Fantastic tutorial! My cat is big on helping out during all my projects too (but more in the eating of string than silent bystander)

  6. Aww I love tutorials with kitties in them! I’m so glad so many crafty people are kitty people =) What a great bag, perfect for the holidays. I’ll be linking.

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