Followers

Saturday 20 August 2016

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


17 comments:

  1. Hi Pam I am trying to get caught up in blog world, your bags are so wonderful. I love the red one a few post back.
    Have a great weekend,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Making bags is play time for me, it is a good way of using up the smaller pieces in the stash.

      Delete
  2. A splendid tutorial, thank you for posting it x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am happy that it seems to have served its purpose. I did get a bit snap happy there.

      Delete
  3. Thank you, Pam for the clear tutorial with photos. I am a visual learner and will use the tutorial on my i-pad as I stitch. I have lots of lovely fabric which really needs to be sewn instead of stroked and put back! Catriona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to help Catriona, it is difficult to judge just how much detail to put in. I wanted to be clear for the beginners without boring the experienced stitchers.

      Delete
  4. Thanks so much for that Pam. These are just the kind of bags I want to make for Christmas-x-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew away regardless Sheila. I do often make these in a single layer and just overlock the seams for bigger bags. Ideal for birthdays and That Day, once the gift is removed they then become toy bags. Francesca has 3 for laundry sorting.

      Delete
  5. I love the idea of using them instead of wrapping paper. A great tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have made them unlined and just used French seams or overlocked the raw edges.

      Delete
  6. Great tutorial. I know three special little people who would love one. Please may I ask where the fabric came from?
    Julie xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cowboy print was a long stashed remnant but the Bird house print is from Fabric Guild, they have a very good website.

      Delete
  7. great post, love that fabric.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I picked it out of a remnant bin at least 5 years ago, I have quite a bit left for something else.

      Delete

I love to read comments so take the plunge and join the conversation.