Mother's day gift idea -- drawstring bags for travel!

[kumarp]

So I have an idea for a mother's day gift..and then a question about it :-)

First the idea: I want to sew a set of drawstring bags that my mom can use when she travels. Like one for lingerie, one for socks, one for other small items that get lost in a suitcase. I'm thinking of making a set of three, each with a different, but coordinating fabric -- probably cotton; it's easiest to work with. Oh, and maybe one for dirty clothes. Each would be a different fabric so it's easy to find the one you want in a suitcase. So there's the idea. If I could embroider, I'd add a monogram or a little graphic of what the bag is for...but I can't, so I'll have to settle for fabulous fabric. :-)

Now here's the question: I know how to make a simple bag, but I always get messed up on the top -- how can I do a drawstring opening neatly??  All I can think of is to fold down the top of the bag about an inch or so, and sew that all the way around, which leaves a "tube" of fabric to pull the drawstring through. But what about the opening to the tube? In the past I've just poked a little hole in the fabric for the drawstring to come in/out...but that is messy. Does that make sense? Does anyone have any suggestions?

I'll try to post pictures of what I come up with eventually.

[pibbgirl]

I actually made some of these for myself for the exact same use when I traveled alot  .  I don't know if I had the best method, but I'll try to explain what I did.  For mine I used the method of just cutting one big rectangle the size I wanted and folded it so I only had a seam down one side.  But to make the drawstring nice, first I hemmed the edges that would be the sides where the string would come through.  Then I folded down the top and sewed the "tube".  Then my last step was to sew the bottom of the bag and up the side just to the bottom of my "tube."

[Starla]

I have no idea how to make a drawstring bag, but I do have a suggestion for putting a monogram on your bags if you haven't made them yet.  If you make them out of cotton you can stencil them.  A monogram would be a pretty easy stencil and I think would make it very unique.  Or you could try the iron on transfers depending on the fabric you choose.  That way you could add little pictures too.  Lot easier than embroidery.  Just my opinion though.

I think your mom's day idea is really cute, by the way.  I'm sure it's going to be a hit.

[auntiem]

For my drawstring bags I make two button holes vertically about an inch apart then sew the tube. If you hate making button holes you could use two grommets.

[neverendingjourney]

http://www.webdesignsbybarb.com/tostetoes/drawstringinstructions.htm

See if that helps.... i just printed off these directions last night put them in my "to do" folder and saw your postings and thought i needed to share this with you. let me know what you think??
darla

[silloh_77]

I'm just posting to this thread because I don't know the answer, either. I've made some bags for holding Christmas gifts before, and they always look a little sloppy.

[Ezri_B]

I was going to suggest you put two grommets in the bag before you sew the tube part. This is how I do it, and it always looks good.