The Making Of: Upcycled and Zero-waste Drawstring Bags
published 21 January 2021 / written by Emily Peters
Buy these upcycled and zero-waste bags in the Atelier E shop in Small, Medium and Large sizes HERE. Or simply make a purchase! All purchases come with a drawstring bag.
If you want to make your own bags, here are the steps of making an upcycled bag, captured in time-lapse. Real-time creation time, including cutting (not shown), is about 6-7 hours:
Make the pattern - even thought this is just a simple rectangle, making a pattern saves tons of time and will ensure that each bag turns out exactly the same in shape and size.
Choose a fabric to reuse or upcycle. I like to use well scoured and washed sheets from local thrift stores.
Before or after dyeing the fabric, cut off the finished edges of the sheet and set aside.
Use your pattern to cut out as many bags as you want to make
Serge or zigzag stitch only one side of the edges
With Right Sides facing, pin two pieces together. On the serged or zigzagged side, mark 1 1/4 inch down from the top with a pin or fabric chalk. If the finished edges of your sheet are wider or narrower than 1/2 inch, then double the width of the finished edge and add 1/4 inch.
With two sides of the bag pinned together, serge or zigzag stitch the remaining two sides together
Straight stitch 1/8 inch or more inside the serged or zigzagged edges. Stop at the 1 1/4 inch pin or chalk marking (leave this part open and unstitched)
Turn the bag inside out and press the seams
Press 1/4 inch and then 5/8 inch folds into the top of the bag, then immediately stitch these folds
Cut a length of the finished edge of the sheet which you set aside earlier by drawing it across the top and down one side, then double it.
Fasten a small safety pin to one end of this length of finished edge and guide through the channel at the top of the bag.
You’re finished! Use the bag as wrapping for gifts, to store small items and lingerie, to keep your purse tidy, or anything else that’s useful to you!