Padded Drawstring Bag Tutorial

 Padded Drawstring Bag with Slacker Casing. Free Tutorial

   It has a padded lining (good for cameras, etc.)  Also, by chance, I discovered a very good slacker way to make the casing.  See below.


1.  Just cut the two lining panels the same width as the outer fabric and leave about 3 inches in the center open.


2.  To create the padded lining, cut a piece of batting smaller than your lining fabric, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch for the seam.  You could cut the batting the same size I guess and sew the seam with the batting inside, but I've been using this for camera stuff and wanted to minimize lint. 

Zigzag stitch around the perimeter of the batting to hold it in place.  Also, if the bag is larger than 6 inches, you'll probably want to stitch a few lines of quilting in either direction to secure the batting some more.



3.  Sew the two short ends, right sides together.  Open and press towards the lining.


4.  Fold the bag in half lengthwise, right sides in.  Pin down the sides and around the corner, leavning a gap for turning.  No, this time you don't have to worry about leaving a gap anywhere for the casing -- just sew 'er up.  We'll figure it out later.


5.  Flip the bag right side out, press seams.  Close up bottom and top stitch closed.


6.  Stuff the lining into the bag, adjusting ends until the lining sits at the bottom of the bag.  It's a little easier with the padding actually.  Iron to settle the edges and set the top edge.


7.  Now, since we didn't leave a gap in the side seam for a casing, we will just decide where we want it.  Sew two lines of stitches around the bag, beginning and ending at a side seam.  I sewed one right on the border between lining and black and one about an inch higher.  BE SURE TO BACKSTITCH as you go over both of the side seams.  You'll need those secure... cause here comes....


8.  Yes, the handy seam ripper.  On the outside of the bag, CAREFULLY open the side seam between the two lines of stitches.  Don't rip out the perpendicular stitches that you just made.


 9.  Now you have your casing, slacker style.  Just thread in the cord  and you are ready to hit the road.