Patchwork Drawstring Bag

I have exciting news. I have booked a booth to sell my bags at MAAD on the first weekend of April. As a result of this April gig, I've been busy sewing up a storm. I have a secret stash of pouches and bags which I've made over the months and these have never been put up on my blog. I'll post them after the MAAD gig.

I'm generally making little purses and bags which I would want for myself. I'm not very commercial! In fact, I love all the stuff I've made so far it hurts to sell them. On the other hand, it would be so cool to have folks in Singapore using my bags! Lately I've also been contemplating selling my stuff online. Unfortunately I've been living in a cave and does not possess a PAYPAL account. This seems to be the passport to online selling. Until I figure it out, it'll go to my To-Do List.

Speaking of To-Do List, I've promised a Front Zippered Pouch Without the Gaps tutorial. I haven't forgotten it. It's just that I haven't been able to sit down and explain it clearly so it's going to take just a little bit longer. Definitely before Apr'09. This tut is going to shift your sewing paradigm. It'll blow your... Um, I distinctly remember some guru from when I was working telling us to always underpromise and over deliver. Ok, I'm the complete opposite. This tut is going to be the mother...



Today's patchwork drawstring bag was made using Pink Penguin's reversible patchwork bag tutorial. Although I'm pretty good at drawstring bags, I'm never tired of learning and besides I'm a big fan of Pink Penguin.

Other Ways To Achieve Boxiness in Boxy Pouch - Part 2

This is the easiest boxy pouch ever. Once you make one using this method you'll be addicted! I hadn't planned on doing a tutorial on this pouch seeing how it's so easy but I did take a few pics just to show those who are new to this kind of boxiness.

First, sew a boxy pouch the regular way. (see my Lined Zippered Boxy Pouch Tutorial) For this method you can sew the zipper from end to end for outer fabric as well as lining. See? I told you it's easy.

Next, with bags inside out, flip around until the zipper is in the centre.


In the pic above, I have folded the outer fabric in such a way it's halved. Make the folds meet in the centre.(This is the secret of this pouch. If the folds don't meet, the pouch will look squat like) Do the same for the lining.


This is what you should get.


Sew the side seams. A good place to sew would be at the two ends of the zipper. Sew through all the layers.


Turn the bag right side out through the lining and ta da!




The difference between this boxy pouch and the one in Part 1 is the folds at the side are more obvious in this one.


Inside out.

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Below are my bag patterns which are available for sale at Etsy (instant download). Clicking on the images will take you to my Etsy shop.

For more Applique Resources
For more Tutorials

Other Ways To Achieve Boxiness in Boxy Pouch - Part 1

First of all, a hi to kookietookie for her comment. Yay! So tutorial for front zippered pouch is now work-in-progress. Look out for it.

I've been experimenting again and I wanted to find out what other ways there are to make a pouch boxy other than the one in my Lined Zippered Boxy Pouch Tutorial.

This pouch I just made is folded on the inside in a almost origami-like manner and it's so hard to explain I won't even try. So no tutorial for this one no matter how much you beg! Before all the complicated folding and sewing, it's constructed very much like any ordinary front zippered pouch. I did not use any interfacing for this project. Just fabric and zipper. Interfacing would definitely make it more defined.


Top view


Look at them crazy angles


Doesn't the fold just seduce you? (Okay, I definitely need another hobby)


Inside out - check out the folds


Inside out - top view