DIY Drawstring Cross Body Bag

This is a sewing tutorial to make a cute drawstring purse. I was inspired by linen and some Japanese fabric scraps. Have fun making your own.

Materials:

Linen (40 cm x 80 cm)

Newspaper

Japanese fabric (60 cm x 120 cm)

2 strips of grosgrain ribbon (1 cm x 80 cm)

Safety pins

Sewing pins

Sewing thread

Sewing machine

Scissors

Ruler 

Tailor's chalk
2 beads

Instructions:

1.

Make a 40 cm square template from newspaper. Use the template and the tailor's chalk to mark and cut out the linen squares.

2.

Cut 10 rectangles (6 cm x 12 cm) from Japanese fabric scraps. Sew together the 6 cm ends to  make one long strip. Iron open the seams. Fold down the top and bottom raw edges by 1 cm ad iron. 

3. 

Fold the strip in half and pin.

4.

Sew a straight stitch along the pinned edge. Iron and then sew a straight stitch along the other edge to match. Set aside your strap.

5.

Take your linen squares and sew a straight stitch on one around the edge. Repeat with the other square. Place one on top of the other as seen in the image. 

Use a large round bowl (or draw a circle yourself) and some tailor's chalk to trace a circle shape onto the fabric. Mark another circle 1 cm in from the first circle. 

6.

Note in the image that there are two gaps on either side of the circle (this is where the ribbons will be inserted later). 

Pin and sew on the chalk lines, making sure to leave two gaps.

7.

Slide your strap under the first square. Pin and sew several zigzag stitches to secure. 

8.

Repeat to secure the strap to the other side. 

9.

Pull the linen threads to fray the edges of the squares. 

10.

Take one length of ribbon. Attach one end of it to a safety pin and insert it into the gap in the circles. 

11.

Scrunch the fabric and slide the safety pin as you go. Pull the ribbon out through the hole where you initially inserted it.

12.

Repeat step 10 with the other piece of ribbon, this time inserting it into the other gap in the circles. 

13.

Thread a bead on each ribbon end. Use a skewer to help push the ribbon through if necessary.

14.

Tie an overhand knot to stop the bead falling off the ribbon end.

15.

Tie a knot above the bead, placing a skewer in the middle of the knot when it is still loose. This will help you to position the knot snugly against the bead.

Burn the ends of the ribbon with a match to prevent fraying.

16.

Your bag is complete!

TIPS:

Find a piece of linen or cotton fabric at your Op Shop

Search for cheap Japanese fabric scraps on eBay

Make sure you use grosgrain ribbon instead of satin ribbon as it will wear better