This is a basically a large version of my reversible clean/dirty bag but instead of a loop and button closure, we’re going to fold down the top seam to make a casing for the drawstring.
Here’s how to make an Easy Lined Drawstring Bag.
Materials:
Four rectangular pieces of fabric, cut to size (I based mine on the largest item in my giveaway package).
Applique (optional). I silk screened an image of a vintage dress form from The Graphics Fairy, fused with Steam-A-Seam2.
1/4-inch wide ribbon. Length needed is based on the width of your bag. Double that and add some length at the end.
Iron and ironing board, sewing machine and thread.
Directions: If you’re going to decorate the outside of the bag with an applique or whatever your heart desires, do that first on one of the rectangular panels that you want to be the outside.
Then, sew the two outside panels around 3 sides, right sides together. Make sure your design on the outside is facing the right way! Repeat with the two panels used for the lining of the bag. Then turn one right side out and stuff it inside the other one, so that right sides are facing.
Pin the side seams together and sew around the top, leaving a 3-inch hole for turning. Please see my reversible clean/dirty bag tutorial for more details (just omit the button and loop closure part).
Pull the bag out of itself through your turning hole, and push the lining inside the bag. Press the seam flat.
Then, fold over about an inch and crease. This will be your casing, and also creates a pretty contrasting trim on the top of the bag.
Take your ribbon and fold it in half. The opening in the casing will be at one of the side seams. Open up the fold you just ironed and insert half the ribbon flat into the fold, pushing it as far in as you can.
Pin down the ribbon. You don’t want to sew on top of the ribbon. Also, while you sew the casing, you’ll sew the turning hole closed.
Do this all the way around the bag, leaving a length of ribbon equally on either end dangling out one of the side seams. Measure about 1/2 inch on either side of the side seam. This will be your start/stop point for sewing (the pic below is before I’ve measured the 1/2 inch marks!).
Sew down the casing along the edge, catching the turning hole and sewing it closed in the process. (By the way, do you notice the two teal fabrics are different? That’s because I realized I ran out of the one with the black pattern, but not before I fused the applique on it already. So I had to find a similar fabric for the back and that’s what I came up with. Sorry, Jennifer!).
Here’s the casing opening i.e. where the ribbon will dangle out. As mentioned, it is 1/2 an inch on either side of the seam. There’s the mismatched fabric again!
Pull open your bag so it’s fully open and tie a knot at the casing opening. Then tie the two ends together about an inch from the end. And you’re done.
Fill it with giveaway prizes or birthday presents or your current knitting project (yes Mom, I’ll make one for you) or your kiddo’s favorite toys or whatever you like.
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