Drawstring bag tutorial

After some months without working and sewing I began doing small activities.
The summer almost gone so I have collected and dried much herbs. I need useful drawstring bag to store them.
I stitched many bags . On each one I have put a label with written letters.
Here is one of them.

Do you like it? Do you need a tutorial? It was so easy to make.
The seam allowances are quarter inch.

1. Cut the following rectangles:

 The size depends on how big bag you need.
I have put them on my cutting mat for easy orientation. (one square is one inch)
I have chosen to make the front panel from canvas. It is heavy cotton so adding a strip on the top edge to put inside drawstrings was a good idea.

2. Preparing the hook.
Fold in half lengthwise and iron the piece.  Then open and fold again to the inside and stitch.

3. Stitch the strip on the front panel right side together. Iron well seam allowances towards upper edge.

4. Place the front and back panels right sides together and stitch both sides and bottom as shown.  Begin and finish the stitch 2 inches from the top end.

5.  Fold the top corner and stitch to the side seam as shown.

Repeat with the other three.

6. Making the tunnel for the strings.
Fold twice the upper edge and stitch. When reach the middle insert the hook.
I usually put a pin as a mark.

This is the finished top edge.

Repeat with the front side.

7. Make a secure stitch about half inch on the side seams both front and back pieces together.

I forgot to put a label at the beginning so stitch at this step. It was not so easy :)
So stitch it at the step 1.

8.Thread the drawstrings.
Thread the first as usual - from the right side to the left in the back tunnel and then in the front tunnel from left to right. Make a knot.
 

The second drawstring goes in opposite way. From the left side in the back tunnel and from right to left in the front tunnel. Make a knot.

9. The bag is finished.

So easy to make.

Tibetan drawstring pouch tutorial

I was kindly asked by an Etsy member elnorac to add a tutorial or direction for sewing this pouch. 

 Soon will be Christmas so I decided to make a present to all my reader. I have chosen red and green patterns for this tutorial. Hoping you like it!
In 30 minutes sewing  you will have a drawstring like this :)
The size is 4,5 inches width 4 inches height.

You need 2 almost half circle 5 inches x 4 inches and 2 rectangles 5 inches x 2,5 inches.

1. Sew each rectangle with half circle right side together.

2. Iron both parts.

3. Sew right side together and zig-zag stitch.

4.  Hem the end and stitch by hand.

5. Turn over and the pouch is ready to put the drawstrings.
 Here is the "Magic". Look carefully how to begin.

6. Cut two strings 20 inches long.
From the side seam begin  running stitch around the bag first one and then another side.

 

Tie two ends by a knot.
7. Repeat the same action beginning from opposite side a quarter inch distance between stitches.

Drawing two ends will close the bags. At this step open it manually - put finger inside and open.

8. Now it is time for endings.
Cut 2 circles 2,5 inches diameter from one color .

Fold in a half, stitch with a pin and sew diagonal.

 

 NOTE WHERE THE KNOT IS!

 

Turn over and pull the string to look better. 

 If needed cut the ends with scissors.
Repeat with other end.
These strings will close the pouch.

9. Now we make the strings for opening.
Cut two strings 10 inches long. Fix the string at the side seam between two running stitches.

Make the ends equal and tie a knot.

10. Cut 2 circles 2,5 inches diameter from another color. Make the ending the same way.

The back side of the pouch.

 Enjoy the magic! Yo can see how it "works" here.