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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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Easy Sew: Drawstring Project Bag

July 11, 2016 5 Comments

Use your favorite pretty fabric to sew a drawstring bag in minutes!

Like many yarn crafters, I’ve got roughly a thousand and one works-in-progress laying about, so I regularly find myself in need of more project bags. As I knit and crochet over the years, I realized that the best project bag is nothing more than a simple rectangle with a drawstring top. You can toss the bags in your purse to keep your skeins in order, you can toss them in a suitcase, and you can easily store them with your other WIPs without worrying about yarn running amok. ;)

Every once in awhile, the odd pair of fancy shoes comes with a drawstring bag. I always hang on to those to use as project bags. But if you’re like me, you also sew a bit in addition to yarn crafting and have some gorgeous fabric that you’re dying to work with. I recently got my hands on some beautiful forest-inspired fabric designed by Bonnie Christine. The moth print in particular made me go all heart eyes the second I saw it. Since I immediately wanted to make something with it, a wee project bag was in order. Today I’m going to walk you through how I make my go-to, super-simple-to-sew project bags in mere minutes. Let’s get started!

Use your favorite pretty fabric to sew a drawstring bag in minutes!

Supplies

1/2 yd of 44-inch wide fabric per bag
1/2 yd lightweight fusible interfacing (optional)
iron
scissors
coordinating thread
sewing machine
twine
safety pin
straight pins
tape measure

Directions

The dimensions for this bag are large as I made these specifically for some larger projects I’ve currently got going. To make a smaller bag, simply alter the size of the rectangles you start with to suit your needs. Easy peasy!

Begin by cutting your fabric into two 18×22 inch rectangles. If you’d like to create a sturdier bag, also cut two pieces of 18×22 inch fusible interfacing and iron to the wrong side of your fabric. Pin on three sides.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Leaving a 3/4 inch seam allowance, sew along the bottom of the soon-to-be-bag. Backstitch at either end to secure.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Sew along each side of the bag, backstitching at the beginning. Stop three inches before the opposite end of the bag and backstitch to secure.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Press open the remaining three inches on both ends and both sides as shown.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Next, press 3/4 inches of the unsewn edge as shown.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Press and then sew a 3/4 in casing on each side of the bag, again backstitching at each end.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Turn your bag right side out. Cut a 63 inch piece of twine and tie it to a closed safety pin. Using the safety pin, thread the twine through the casing on one side of the bag.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Continuing with the same safety pin, draw the twine through the casing on the remaining side of the bag.

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

Remove the safety pin, cut the twine evenly in half, and knot the ends together to finish!

Learn how to sew a super simple drawstring bag in minutes!

A look at the finished bags

The tree print bag on the left in this photo was made without interfacing, but the bag on the right was made with it. As a result, the bag can’t be drawn as tight, but I am already using this bag to wrangle a knitting project that uses a lot of heavier yarn. The unlined bag is proving perfect for storing a laceweight work in progress, and I love it!

Use your favorite pretty fabric to sew a drawstring bag in minutes!

Forest Floor Blog Tour Hashtags
About the fabric featured & the blog tour

This post was part of the Forest Floor Blog Tour and the gorgeous, high quality fabric was provided in exchange for this post. Learn more about the Forest Floor fabric collection from Bonnie Christine.

Check out what Annie & Dot did with their fabric samples from the collection!

Visit Alextillalia Designs tomorrow to see what she’s got in store for her stop on the blog tour.

Use your favorite pretty fabric to sew a drawstring bag in minutes!

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, How-to, Sewing Tagged With: bonnie christine, crochet bag, drawstring project bag, easy sewing, forest floor, knitting bag, project bags, sew

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Bonnie Christine

    July 11, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Adorable – and so very useful! Love having you on the tour, Heidi!

    Reply
  2. Alexandra

    July 13, 2016 at 6:51 am

    These drawstring bags are so beautiful! Lovely fabric choices! I share one of your pics on my post for the Blog Tour yesterday and I linked your website, hope you don’t mind. Alex @alextilalila

    Reply
    • Heidi

      July 14, 2016 at 7:14 pm

      No problem! Thanks for sharing! :)

      Reply
  3. Sue Anna

    July 17, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    Heidi,
    I would like to pin this for later but not finding the option. Possible or should I just go ahead and print. May make for Christmas gifts for my cancer knit group.
    Thanks,
    Sue Anna

    Reply
  4. Sue Anna

    July 18, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    Heidi,
    Not sure why I was having issues pinning this but came to my laptop and had no problems! Sorry to bother you. Thanks
    Sue Anna

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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