A couple of weeks ago, I posted my heating pad tutorial and at the end, I mentioned that I would like to put together a drawstring bag for attractive gift-giving as well as storage.
So…here’s the tutorial.
Cut a pattern (here’s that gridded paper I love so much…in a peppermint stripe) that is a 11.25″ x 7.5″ rectangle.
Pin it to your fabric with one of the short ends on the fold.
Cut your fabric, open up the rectangle (should be 22.5″ x 7.5″) and finish your edges.
Now, with your wrong sides together, fold each of the short ends over 1″ and press.
Stitch near the the finished edge to create the casing for your drawstring.
Next, fold your bag in half–right sides together–with your casings matching up at the top. Stitch 1/8″ up the sides, stopping and reinforcing your seam just below the casings.
For my drawstring, I used 3/8″ grosgrain ribbon that I had on hand and cut two 19″ lengths. Insert a safety pin in one end and use the pin to feed the ribbon through one side of the casing. Repeat for the other side.
Knot the ends of your ribbons together on each side of the bag and, voila! You’re done!
What a lovely little package!
Now Available: Heating Pad COVER Tutorial!
Cora says
April 20, 2010 at 6:29 pmThanks so much for posting this. I’m teaching my oldest daughter to sew, and she’s been wanting to make a drawstring bag. This will help a lot. I always love your crafts, your sewing skills are definately better than mine.
Sadie Walton says
April 22, 2010 at 3:08 pmI just received this little bag with enclosed heating pad as a gift from my FAVORITE Green Wife!!! Abbie, you put such a smile on my face and a relaxing scent in my home! You made bedrest a little cheerier today! Thank you so much!
Valerie says
April 23, 2010 at 7:16 amI love this! May even make me take my machine out of hiding.
Lesley says
May 11, 2010 at 6:57 amOh, something even *I* could do. Cute and simple!
Sandy says
August 14, 2011 at 4:00 pmI just found your site while searching for a ebook reader cover pattern. I love your tutorials and run some off. Can’t wait to start making some projects. I’ve decided on handmade gifts this year and doing some crafts show in hopes of saving some cash to go see my niece in Hawaii!!! Thanks for sharing your great ideas. Look forward to more.
Mar says
September 4, 2011 at 7:13 pmDefinitely going to try this! Trying to make the last 3 weeks of 4th preg. go a little quicker. Just found your blog and I love it! Thanks for sharing.
Barbara says
November 16, 2011 at 12:49 pmSome Christmas gifts on the ole sewing machine today…Thank you so much
Rochelle says
November 21, 2011 at 4:07 pmMaking all my friends spa heating pads for christmas gifts 🙂 what kind of rice did you use for the filling? do you recommend a specific brand?
Shad-o says
December 11, 2011 at 7:21 pmThis is so wonderful, xmas treats for my hard working and hard working out friends and sisters!! Love it and so easy. I put a piece of ribbon folded in half on the one short side and instead of making bag to store it, I just tie the ribbon around and make bow. Easy, pretty and useful.
sammy says
August 27, 2012 at 11:29 amLove this, have you used a serger for this?
also do you have as news letter loving the ethos x x
Grandma2Barbie says
December 17, 2012 at 10:35 pmMy granddaughter sent your website for the heating pad tutorial with a request for a Christmas gift. Well, I’ve made four pads and bags for gifts! Thanks for sharing your great ideas. I’ll look for more things to make.
karen says
January 7, 2013 at 12:33 pmJust as impressive as the heating pad itself……. thanks for sharing. Karen c.
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Sharon Erickson says
June 17, 2013 at 2:19 pmI used your tutorial to make my first pads that I gave out for Chrostmas last year. At that time there was no bag for it (or else I didn’t see it) so I just used the envelope technique to make a type of storage bag. But now I like your drawstring bag. At least the pad can take less room to store this way. When I made my pads I made an additional cover for washing and just a change of scenery…lol. I am on a very limited income and I thought these would be great to make and sell but I intend to find material with whimsical patterns and then sell additional covers as people like. I made and sent one across the U.S. and she uses it every day. Thanks for the tutorial.
Sharon Wilson says
December 24, 2013 at 4:42 pmThanks for the tutorial! I turned mine inside out, set it upright, pinned across the pointy corners, and stitched straight across to get rid of the points. It came out awesome! I’m giving it, and the rice pack, as a Christmas gift!
Linda L. says
November 7, 2014 at 5:44 pmThanks for that tip, Sharon. I like that look better and it ‘sits’ properly now.
Carol Muthler says
December 27, 2014 at 11:45 amThanks so much for posting this drawstring bag tutorial. Got sleeping bags for my nieces for Christmas & they didn’t come with bags & I wanted to make bags for them. Searched Google & found your tutorial. It’s exactly the type of bag I was looking to make & your directions look very easy to follow. Should have no trouble making them.
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March 13, 2018 at 7:55 amWow! I liked the way you made a bag. that looks so nice as for me. I mean that I could do it by myself if I had more free time.
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