Tutorial: Simple drawstring bag

We think that this bag is perfect for keeping pumps or trainers in for school but there are so many things that you can use this bag for and it is so easy we make them for everything!

Notes:

Finished bag size is approximately 13" x 17"

Requirements:


Main fabric 19" x 28" (we used two pieces sewn together as we were using up fabric left over from another project).
Constrast fabric for pocket 7" x7" (if required)
Cord or ribbon
Sewing supplies

Instructions:

If you want to have a pocket on your bag take a square of contrast fabric and fold the top over by half an inch and stitch across. Then iron the other three sides under by quarter of an inch and then stitch in place on the right sides of the main piece of fabric as shown below.

Measure 1.5" down from the top of the bag and make a small snip in the fabric 0.5" long. Then fold the piece of material above the snip over quarter of an inch and then another quarter of an inch and stitch as shown below.

Next place your piece of material right sides down and fold the top over by half an inch and then again by an inch. Press and pin in place and then stitch all along the bottom creating a channel for the cord or ribbon to go through. Make sure you stitch backwards and forwards at the beginning and the end to secure your stitches.

Then fold in half with right sides together and stitch the two open sides together using a quarter inch seam allowance.

Use pinking shears to trim your seams to stop them fraying. Turn your bag right sides out and using a safety pin pass the cord right through the channel you have created and out the other side. Tie the two ends together when it is the preferred length.

Congratulations your bag is finished!

Happy sewing,

Kelly

Tutorial: Freddie the Frog

Now that the Summer holidays are in full swing I thought that it would be a good idea to repost one of our older projects that we have on the blog. This little fellow is always popular with people that come into the shop and it is a brilliant beginners sewing project and a great present for your friends.

To get the template click on the picture of the frog so it appears in a pop up window and then right click to 'Save as'. You can then open the image up on your computer and print it.

If you make a Freddie we would love to see your finished frogs. You can email a picture to us or post it on the wall of our Facebook page.

Happy sewing,

Kelly

August at the Owl and Sewing Cat

This month we are thinking of summer holidays and things that you and your children can make or do to prepare them for going back to school in August as well as amuse themselves during the holidays. We have a fun beginners project coming up as well as a tutorial for a really handy shoe bag for when they are back at school.

Come and check out our new window display and don't forget that we have the holiday sewing club in the shop for 10 - 16 year olds. We also have Open Sewing Sessions running on different days to usual over the summer holidays so have a look and see if there is one you could come along to.

Back to school projects including: Lunch bag, Covered Notebook, pencil case, crayon / pen roll, 

shoe bag (tutorial next week), painting tabbard, book bag, drawstring rucksack.