A How To with Photos.

Lots of photos. 
I had a request for pattern and method for the drawstring pouches, the easiest way was in a post, so were we go.

Decide how big you want the pouch. I cut 2 bits of outer and liner 14" wide and 18" long. Then cut 2 bits 4" by 14" in a toning colour, these will be the casing so need to be as wide as your other fabrics.

Place outer and lining right sides together, if using a directional print double check that they are positioned correctly.

Use a ruler and marking pen to set the corners, 

I draw and cut 2 1/2" (save these bits for patchwork)

All done

Pin together and sew 1/4" seams, backstitch at start and finish of each seam. Leave a small gap unsewn in the bottom seam of the liner. I use an ender scrap to stop the end of the seams puckering.

The bottom one I did without an ender and it did pucker.

Pull the cut sides so that the bottom and side seams meet, pin to secure.

Sew using a 1/4" seam, backstitch at each end, use an ender scrap if you wish. Do both corners in each piece and turn the outer bag right side out.

This is my machine setting.

Turn a generous 1/2" hem on the short ends of the casing bits, I normally use a matching thread but used white here to show. You can measure this but I eyeball it and just check before sewing the last one that they are the same length.

Press in half, wrong sides together and centre on the outer bag. You need the gap at each end for threading the ties through.

Pin to secure and repeat with the second piece on the other side.

Place the outer bag into the liner and  match side seams.

Pin all layers together.

Pin all layers together and sew together. I use the free arm setting and a wider seam, around 1/2".

Put your hand into the gap left in the liner base seam and pull the bag through.

The gap will pull apart but will press very neatly and that will make it easier to sew together. Use a slip stitch or a ladder stitch for an invisible join and your bag will be reversible.

Push the liner down in to the bag and press.

Then press again from the right side

Open out the base and press

Then fold neatly and press both sides.

For the ties I cut 2 width of fabric strips 2" wide. Press around 1/2" in on the short ends, then press the strip in half right sides together. Open and press edges into middle, then fold again enclosing raw edges press well and sew together about 1/8" in from seam.

Using a high tech safety pin thread a tie right through and tie in a knot to secure. Then thread the second tie through starting at the loop end.

There you have it, pop in a present  or your knitting or crochet and pull the ties to keep it safe.

I know that there will be lots of you who do not need this level of instruction but for a beginner there is no such thing as too many pictures.

My bag will be filled with a selection of things for Leo, so I need to get cracking on two more as Junior and Kaitlyn will want one as well.

Fabric Guild have a selection of cotton material from £2.20 a metre, so these can be very inexpensive gifts. Made in "seasonal" prints they make a small gift much bigger and save on all that paper waste as well.

I have them in various sizes for my projects and they are great when packing for a holiday, shoes, smalls, hair care and so on. 

I have one filled with shoe cleaning stuff and another with hair brush and combs.

And now my work here is done for another day, I am off to pick some fabric for the other two.

                 TTFN                                                           Pam