Slouchy Drawstring Bag

Throw all of your essentials in a homemade Slouchy Drawstring Bag and hit the town. This is a great accessory if you're heading to the gym or taking a long walk. If you're looking for bag sewing patterns, free tutorials and more, this is the project for you.


 

Materials:

• 1/2 yard fabric
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• 3 yards trim (handle)
• Safety pin or bodkin

Instructions:

1. Cut an 18-inch wide by 40-inch long rectangle from fabric. I used a medium to heavyweight decorator fabric. Lighter or heavier fabrics can be used, but the heavier the fabric, the more difficult it is to thread the handle through the casings.
   
   
    
2. Fold over each short edge of the rectangle 1/2 inch and press. Fold over another 1/2 inch, press and pin. Sew the pinned edges to hem.
   
   
    
3. Fold over each long edge 1/2 inch and press. Fold over 1-1/2 inches, press and pin. Baste the pinned edge to hold. I used a long stitch on my sewing machine to baste, but you can also baste by hand.
   
   
    
4. Fold the rectangle in half with the wrong sides together and the short edges matching. The short edges are the top edges of the bag. Pin the sides together. Sew the sides 1 1/4 inches in from the edge. Remove the basting stitches.
   
   
    
5. Choose the trim for your handle strap. I used a 1-inch vintage fringe that I found in my stash. I wouldn't recommend trim any thicker than that, as it makes threading through the casings difficult. You will need 3 yards.
   
   
    
6. For your guide, attach a large safety pin or bodkin to one end of the trim. Lay the bag on your work surface. To better understand the instructions, consider the side facing up as the front. Insert the guide in the casing on the left, front of the bag. Thread it down the casing on the front and up the casing on the back. Insert the guide in the casing on the right, back of the bag. Thread it down the casing on the back and up the casing on the front.
    
7. Bring the ends of the trim together and tie in a knot. Adjust the gathers on the side of the bag. Even up the height of the handles to finish.