Sewing: Quick Unlined Drawstring Bag

This is a great project for beginners since it basically involves straight seams.  I find this pattern useful for many things depending on the size of your pieces of fabric.  Small squares for a quick jewelry pouch or gift bag;   Medium squares for gifts, shoes or storing other items and Large squares for large gift bags or anything that doesn't fit in the other two size drawstring bags.  It really is a versatile pattern and can be altered for the size you are looking for.

Materials:
Fabric (enough for the size bag you are making)
Ribbon or drawstrings (2 pieces, each should be longer than the measurement of both top pieces together)
Matching thread

All seams are 1/4 inch

Instructions:

1.  Decide on the size your finished bag should be.  Add about 1-2 inches to the measurements for the seams and another 1-2 inches to each of the top sides, this will ensure that you will have enough fabric for the drawstring.  (If you have a large/wide ribbon or drawstring you may need to add more inches to your measurements)

2.  Measure and cut your fabric pieces.  Again you may cut one long piece, so when folded over it equals your desired bag size, but your drawstrings won't be threaded through or look like mine.  I cut two pieces.

3.  Iron if needed.  Pin top edges (wrong sides together) about 1-2 inches down.  Depending on the size of your ribbon or drawstring you may have to pin more than 1-2 inches.

4.  Sew along bottom edge of pinned section from Step 3 on 1 side ONLY (about 1/4 inch from raw fabric edge).  Repeat for other piece.

5.  Sew along top edge about 1/4 to 1/2 inch down from top.  Repeat for for other piece.

6.  Pin both pieces, right sides together.  Iron if needed.

7.   Sew along all 3 sides (if you cut 2 pieces).  Or sew along 2 sides if you cut 1 one long piece.  Sew from the bottom seam from Step 4.  Do Not sew above it or you will not be able to thread your drawstring through.

8.  Clip corners and turn right side out.

9.  Thread ribbon/drawstring through one side and around through the other side.  You will end up with the ends of one piece on the same side.  Repeat with the second piece, starting from the opposite end.

Step 3

Step 4

Finished Step 4 & 5

Step 7 

Step 8

Drawstring and width of top edge

Finished Sewing!

One drawstring threaded through both sides

Threading through second drawstring

It will seem odd threading the drawstrings pass the other drawstring

All Finished and ready for use!

DIY Hair Dryer Bag - Version 2

I have finally finished it.  This was my first time sewing a zipper and is good practice before I start a few skirt patterns I have lined up to sew at some point.  I find that the zipper really works well for storing and travelling with a hair dryer, whereas version 1 (with bias tape) is great for storage and not-so-much when travelling.  Though it really is a personal choice which version works best for you.

Materials:

2 coordinating fabrics (1 outside fabric, 1 lining)

Fleece, Flannel or Old Mattress Cover for padding

Zipper

Matching thread

All seams 1/4 inch.

Instructions:

1. Measure length and width of hair dryer.  Add several inches to the measurements to ensure enough space for fitting the hair dryer in the bag.

2.  Measure and cut fabric and padding for project.  You will need 2 pieces of outside fabric, 2 lining and 2 padding.   Iron if needed.

3.  Once you have measured and cut your fabric you now need to decide which end you want to sew your zipper too.  Measure that side and that's the length of zipper you will need.

4.  Pin outside (right-side) fabric to one side of the padding and the lining fabric to the other.  Good side or print side facing away from the padding.  Repeat for the other piece.  

5.  Baste stitch all the way around.  Repeat for other piece.  This should prevent the fabrics and lining from shifting as you sew on the zipper.  Iron if needed.

6.  Lay zipper on table, place outside fabric (correct edge if one end is longer than the other side) on top of the zipper.  Make sure the fabric is on the far side (or opposite) of the zipper.  The lining should be facing you (not the zipper).  See photo below.

7.  Pin in place and sew the one edge.  Iron if needed open.  You should have a nice seam when you flip the fabric over the zipper.  See photo.

8.  Repeat steps 6 and 7 for the other side.  Sewing the fabric to the opposite side of the zipper.

9.  Place right sides (outside) fabric together.  Pin.  Start on one side of the zipper, sew down and sew bottom.

10.  Open zipper (un-zip).  Then sew the last side together.

11.  Trim any edges or corners, if needed.  Turn right-side out.

12.  Test and make sure the zipper will close.

13.  Remove baste stitches all the way around.

14.  Now you can store and travel with your hair dryer.

Baste stitch

Step 6

Another view of step 6

Step 8

Step 8 continuted

Finished step 8

Step 9

It's Finished!

DIY Curling Iron Cover

Today's sewing project, as promised is for your curling iron, straightener or similar gadget.  My idea for this project came about after repeatedly pulling out, in a mess of cords, my curling iron and hair dryer.  To organize this particular cabinet in my house I wanted to create a cover that would work for storing my curling iron and being able to throw it in my suitcase for travelling.

Materials:
Fabric (2 coordinating fabrics - 1 for outside, 1 for lining)
Fleece, Felt or Old mattress cover
Ribbon
Bias tape (preferably extra wide)
Matching thread

Measurements for my curling iron 13in long and 3in wide (at widest point)
Finished product: 14in long and 4 1/2in wide

All seams are 1/4in

Instructions:

1.  Measure the length and width of your curling iron or straightener.  Add 3-4 inches to the width, this will make sure you have adequate space to place your curling iron in when the project is finished.  You do not want it to be small or narrow, otherwise you will have difficulty placing your curling iron inside.  Note:  You may want to trace pattern then place curling iron on one side and place second piece of fabric over, taking into account the thickness of the fleece, if you are unsure how much space to you will have.

2.  Trace and cut 2 pieces (each should be a rectangular shape) of outside fabric and 2 pieces of inside lining fabric.  Cut 2 pieces of fleece or mattress cover (this will add padding and if your curling iron is hot when you travel this should prevent items from melting or otherwise burning).

3.  Add the width measurements together, with 1/4 to 1/2 inch extra and measure bias tape. Cut.

4.  Fold electrical cord together (as if to tie together) and measure width.  Double this measurement (or triple if you want more ribbon to tie the cord together).  Measure ribbon desired length and cut.

5.  Iron any fabric pieces together if desired.

6.  Place fleece on wrong side of lining, then place wrong side of outside fabric to the opposite side.  Repeat for other piece.  Pin in place.

7.  Fold ribbon in half, wrong sides together.  Place folded edge about 1 1/2 to 2 inches from top of one of the outside fabric pieces.  Make sure the folded edge is along the long (length) side.  Pin along edge.  Fold rest of the ribbon in the center of the piece and pin, so to avoid sewing and other part of the ribbon.

8.  Put both pieces together, outside fabric pieces together.  Lining fabric facing you, on both sides.  Pin in place.

9.  Sew one long side together. Unpin.

10. Open up piece.  Attach bias tape to the top.  Sew.

11.  Place outside fabric pieces together again.  Finish sewing other 2 edges.

12.  Remove pins and turn right side out.

You are finished.  Place your curling iron inside, tie electrical cords together and you are ready to store or travel with your piece.

I used an old mattress cover for the padding

Step 3

Step 6

Match the patterned pieces of fabric before placing together

WRONG way to pin ribbon to fabric

Step 7: Right way to pin ribbon to fabric

Step 7 continued

Step 10

Step 10 continued

Step 12

Finished product

DIY: Comforter (Duvet or Quilt) Bag & Storage

This project idea came around after I ordered a comforter bag set several years ago.  I found and ordered one set from Overstock.com and used them to store my other comforters and quilts.  However, I recently found that I needed a few more to hold another quilt with throw pillows so that I could use the plastic zipper bag (the ones that sometimes come with a blanket or comforter) for a few other blankets.  I also have a few different quilts and comforters in my house.  Usually I have a quilt for the summer since the quilt is thinner than a traditional comforter.  And my comforter I save for winter to throw over a few thermal blankets to stay warm at night.  But this project can be tailored to fit your comforter, duvet, quilt, blanket, or pillows.

Again I used my extra sheets, the fitted sheet this time, and my extra cord stops to complete the project.  I also used my box of drawstrings and old shoelaces which came in handy.  I think my grandmother would be very proud of my resourcefulness, reusing items I have and expanding my sewing skills.

Materials:
1 fitted twin or twin xl sheet (or cotton fabric)
1 cord stop
1 drawstring
matching thread

Measurements:  Fabric 26 3/4- 27in wide, 86-87in long, Bag finished measurements 26in wide, 42in long

Note:  You can cut separate pieces that are over 26in wide and 43-44in long; 1 long piece (with measurements for fabric above); or one wide piece that is about 53in wide and 43-44in long.  Depends on what fabric or sheet you are using and if you want to save some of the work of stitching.

All seams are 1/4 in.

Instructions:

1. If using a fitted sheet, remove the corner stitching in all 4 ends.  Then using scissors cut along the edge to remove the fitted stretch stitching all around.

2.  Trim the two ends to make a square/rectangular piece of fabric.  You should be able to get two slightly smaller then the Overstock bags from 1 twin/twin xl fitted sheet.

3.  Measure fabric and mark measurements for your bag.  Cut fabric.

4.  Pin the wide edge about 1-1 1/2 in down on wrong side of fabric.  This will be the drawstring loop (just like yesterday's project for the table leaf). If using one long piece or 2 pieces you will have to pin on both wide ends.  If using one wide piece you will have one long  (about 53in) fold for the drawstring.

5.  Sew along the edge of fabric.  Be sure to sew along where the fold-over edge meets the other piece.  Not along the top.  You want to create a loop area.

6.  With right sides together attach all edges together to form the bag.  Pin in place, if desired.

7.  Sew along the edges.  If using one wide piece, you will sew the two edges that do not have the loop; if using 2 pieces you will be sewing three edges; and if you are using one long piece you will have two separate edges to sew.  Sew all the way to the previous stitch in step 5.

8.  Turn right-side out.

9.  Pull drawstring through entire piece and attach cord stop.  If you want to make a clean and professional piece you may want to add eyelets to each end for the drawstring to go through before you attach the cord stop.

10.  You are finished!

Step 1: Remove corner seam

Step 1: Cut and remove edge-stretch seam

  

Step 3: My cut piece of fabric before trimming

Step 4: Pin drawstring loop

Step 8: Finished sewing!

Drawstring in place

Overstock bag with eyelets and drawstring

All organized for storage!