If you’re looking for a simple, practical bag that the whole family can use, this DIY everyday bag is just the thing. It’s spacious, comfortable, and perfect for a variety of everyday activities, from hitting the gym or a quick shopping spree to a leisurely stroll or a day trip with the family.
The best part is that you can sew it yourself. This easy sewing project can be made with different fabrics, so you can choose colors and patterns that suit everyone’s style in the family. It’s also a great way to use up leftover fabric and create something useful and unique.
The bag closes with simple drawstrings, making it quick and easy to open and close, while keeping your belongings safe inside. No complicated clasps or complicated techniques, just a practical design that’s easy to sew and fun to make.
Materials
To make a bag for grill skewers, you will need:
- Variegated cotton fabric
- Strips of plain cotton fabric
- Drawstring
- Matching thread.
Cutting out pattern pieces
Here you can find all pattern pieces and their dimensions. All dimensions are shown with sewing allowances. Use a 1 cm seam allowance for all seams if not indicated otherwise.
The photo below shows the numbered pieces of the pattern. In total, you will cut out two different shapes.
The detail marked No. 1 is the main bag base (2 pcs). Detail No. 2 is the strip at the top of the bag where the strings are threaded (2 pcs). Two ropes, about 120 cm long.
Sewing an everyday bag that suits everyone
When you have all the pattern pieces cut out and ready, follow the steps below to sew them together.
Step 1. Cut two main bag pieces from colorful cotton fabric according to the dimensions of pattern 1 above and two strips of yellow fabric according to the dimensions of pattern 2. Fold the edges of the yellow strips 1 cm and align them to make it easier to sew onto the main detail. Fold the edges of the yellow strips 1 cm and align them to make it easier to sew onto the main detail as seen in the 2nd photo below.
Fold the top edges of both main parts 3.5 cm as shown in picture 3 and sew the edges as shown by the white dotted line.
Step 2. Fold the edges of the strips and sew them onto the main bag detail 3.5 cm from the top, as shown by the white dotted line in picture 1. Then lay the main pieces on top of each other with the right sides facing out, as shown in picture 2. Sew the edges of the bag, leaving unsewn gaps at the edges where the circles are marked.
Step 3. Neatly trim the edges of the bag, leaving about 3 mm of edge, and turn the bag wrong side out. Now sew the edges of the bag together again (shown with a black dotted line in picture 1), leaving the corners unsewn where the circles are visible. Cut two 120 cm pieces of string and thread them into the yellow ribbon channels. One string on one side and the other on the other side. Join both ends of the thread together and tie knots on both sides. Using a safety pin, thread the knots through the unsewn holes at the bottom of the bag ( picture 3 ).
Step 4. Pull a knot, sew its end to the fabric on the inside of the bag where the white dash is shown in picture 1, and turn the bag inside out; secure the thread again from the outside where the white dashes are shown in picture 2. Pull the strings at the top, and your bag will close. If you push the opening of the bag outwards with your hands, it will open easily.
Whether you need a gym bag, shopping bag, everyday bag, or a leisure bag for a walk, this versatile drawstring bag is ready to go. Make one for yourself, then sew a few more for the rest of the family.
Video tutorial
Grab your favorite fabrics, your sewing machine, and let’s make a useful everyday bag thatyou’ll reach for again and again!
