Drawstring Bags - tutorial

I love bags. A lot.

Especially now that I'm knitting more and need more project bags. There are different types I like for different purposes. Let's take a look at the Drawstring Bag.

I've looked at a lot of tutorials online to try to come up with the perfect drawstring bag. I wanted to be able to make it in any size and use any fabric I like. And while I love math, I didn't want to have to work it out every time I made a bag or changed the sizing.

So, I made a Spreadsheet:

You just fill in the numbers in the first (green) table and watch the other numbers change. Since I wanted to have various options I had to make various tables.

Here's a visual for what each one means:

Bag Options: 

Outer Fabric:
A - One main piece, direction doesn't matter. This is the easiest!
B - Two main pieces, direction matters.
C - Two main pieces, and a base. In this case you will need to outer main pieces even if the direction doesn't matter.
D - Two main pieces, and two bases. Use this if the base direction matters. Again, the main piece can be directional or not.

Lining:
1 - One piece. This is the easiest. Regardless of what is happening on the outside you can use this.
2 - Two pieces. Only use this if the fabric is directional. You'll only see the very top of this fabric so I'm not sure you really need to use this - UNLESS, you want the bag to be completely reversible.

Now, using all that we can make a bag - or 20. Here's how:

Instructions:
These are really general directions for completing a bag. For each step you have many options for customization.

{Download the Spreadsheet}

1. Use the Spreadsheet and enter in the final measurements for your desired bag. Only change the numbers in the first (green) table.

I had some scrap fabric that was 11 inches wide,

so I played with the numbers in the "green" table

to get a cut fabric width of 11 inches.

2. Decide what configuration of outer and lining fabric you would like.

I decided on just one outer and one inner piece.

3. Refering to the appropriate chart, cut out all your fabric pieces. The measurements include your final seam allowance(s).

4. Sew into a big "tube" following the schematic above for outer and lining configurations. Remember:
     -- Always sew with Right Sides Facing (RSF).
     -- Watch the direction of your prints, if direction matters.

Optional: I like to stitch the seam toward the lining -

5. Line up the outer and lining pieces, RSF, and mark your drawstring opening(s) on your main fabric. Sew both open sides, leaving drawstring opening free and about 2-3" free in one side of the lining, for turning.
     -- Think about the thickness of your drawstring when marking the opening. I like 3/4" which works for just about anything.
     --  Be sure to back-stitch at each side of the openings.
     -- The opening in the lining should be about in the center, we will be cutting out the bottom corners so don't have it toward the bottom.
     -- If you are using two lining pieces you could leave the opening in the bottom seam, toward the middle, and then not leave an opening in the side.
     -- You can use one or two drawstrings. Plan openings accordingly.

6. Using the "corner" measurement from the chart, mark and sew all four corners. Trim to match seam allowance. Note: this measurement is the distance from the point to the line you draw.
     -- I find it easier to press the fold.
     -- I just use a pencil to mark.

7. Turn your bag through the opening in the lining, "pointing" all corners. Sew the opening in the lining shut.

You could sew the lining shut

by hand if you want the bag

to be completely reversible.

8. Tuck the lining inside the outer fabric. I like to iron the top seam.

8. Sew the channel for the drawstring(s) by stitching on either side of the opening you made. You can use a straight stitch or a decorative one.

9. If you are making your own drawstring, do that now.

10. Thread the drawstring(s) through the channel.

Enjoy your bag!

Mother's Day - washcloths

For Mother's Day this year my sister Lucci and I split the gift. I made three washcloths and a zippered bag, she bought smelly lotion/soap to go with it.

These are super easy, I made three in three days.
Pattern:  Grandmother's Favorite
Yarn: various Peaches n' Creme

I made each in a different size, increasing to 49, 44 and 40 stitches along the diagonal. I think 44 stitches is my ideal size.

I didn't get a picture of the zipper pouch before I gave it to my mom...sorry!

I have been on a drawstring bag making kick lately, I'll post about that another day, after I work out all the measurements as I like them.

FO: Dahlia Cardigan

It is finished!


Project: Dahlia Cardigan
Pattern: by Heather Zoppetti in Interweave Knits Fall 2011, on ravelry
Yarn: KnitPicks Shine Sport  (Color: Wisteria)
Needles: US 6 (4 mm)

I had to completely change it, and the only original thing is the lace panel on the back.

 I worked the two fronts seperately but at the same time on one long circular so I was sure they were the exact same. I plan to wear it open so I didn't add buttonholes. I do wish I had made the fronts about 1 inch wider, but it will work as is.

 I worked the sleeves top down from the armhole and used short-rows to shape the cap.

When I had about 4 inches left on the last sleeve my son found my knitting and broke one of the needles (!!!) a harmony wood tip from KnitPicks interchangeable set. Luckly, KnitPicks replaced it right away and after a few days I could finish it up. This will be a perfect cardigan for the summer when I need just a touch more coverage.

And, there's more knitting news...
I've submitted two designs to one magazine, one design to another, and am preparing two more for a yarn company and four more for another submission....I hope one of them gets chosen. :) Regardless, I plan to work up all these patterns and will post them on Ravelry when I finish them up.

Scrapping along...

Finally finished the first scrappy quilt top. This one is made up of disappearing nine-patch blocks and then I added some offset squares in the corners. Originally I was going to add a small, maybe 3/4" border of navy blue at this point, and then another maybe 3" gray border before getting to the binding. But now that its pieced its 58.5" wide by 71.5" long --- a pretty large lap quilt, but not quite twin sized. I really just want to get to the machine quilting part. Still need to buy the batting. I'll probably jut back it with the navy....by the way, the gray and the navy are king-size sheets I bought at the thrift store...only $5 each!

The other scrap quilt is cut and pieced into small half-square-triangles, and I just need to decide how I want to lay it out.

Scrappy McScraperson

Turns out I have 6 posts in draft mode...just needing pictures. I best get on that. For now ---

I have a lot of fabric. I've shown my Drawer of Shame but that is only a small part of the stash. I have two whole other cabinets full of fabric. So, I have decided to use it all - Right Now!

I cut any cotton fabric smaller than a fat quarter into charms (5x5 in) and quarter-charms (2.5x2.5 in). Now I just have to piece them together.

I will be making a few scrappy quilts. I have gathered up some inspiration on pinterest and decided to make a large version of a latice quilt:

Source: modabakeshop.com via Julliana on Pinterest

This is a small carseat blanket but I plan on making at least a lap quilt, maybe twin size.
I'll just need to buy some white and some border fabric - or I could scrappify that too.

Another one I like is the Disappearing 9-patch...

Source: mypatchwork.wordpress.com via Julliana on Pinterest

...but it would take a lot of white that I would need to buy - so I may just use all scraps. That would be super bright and fun. Again, lap maybe twin size.

For the backings - I already have a blue and white striped sheet that I thrifted a while ago. Maybe I'll thrift another for the white and backing on the second quilt.

I've already cut charms, but I've seen some others that use 2.5" strips that are cool too. Do you have favorite scrappy quilts?

knit = fail

Oh, Dahlia.

I was almost done...then, I tried it on. It didn't work for me. I couldn't try it on earlier because of the afterthought sleeves. Once I finished the first sleeve and started on the second I could try it on. FAIL!

The bottom, and top, were wavy. I think I may have picked up too many along those edges. The collar was floppy and long...and I had even shortened it.

Because of the afterthought sleeves, and the lack of sleeve cap, the shoulder lacked structure and the underarm was bunching with excess fabric. I should have realized this was just a blanket with sleeves.

My plan was to make the fronts shorter so I could button it down the front, but the top was way too floppy to fit the way I wanted. I think waist shaping will be necessary. I did like the sleeve length and the thicker band of seed stitch.

The yarn has been great (KnitPicks Shine Sport) and I'm loving my new KnitPicks needles. And, I really do like the lace on the back. So here's the new plan:

• bind off the two sides so I can just sew the seams together. I may add three or four rows on each side before starting the top back and bottom back.
• knit down from the lace panel to finish the bottom of the back.
• knit up from the lace panel and shape the back neck and shoulders. I think it only needs another inch or two.
• knit two fronts for the cardigan, adding waist shaping and armholes. seam to the back piece.
• work top down set in sleeves with short row sleeve caps. keep the length the same.
• keep the wide seed stitch borders on the hem, cuff, and button band. not sure about the neck yet...maybe still seed stitch just thinner.

So, basically a cardigan from scratch with just the lace medallion from the original pattern.

It only took about an hour to rip it all back. Good think I like to knit.

Dying Yarn

I've been dying to dye yarn (he, he) for a while now, so I asked for Kool-aid in my stocking. Today, Ben and I got to it.

I used one ball of Washable Ewe (100% superwash wool - 100 g, 183 yards) in the color Cottontail, which is a light cream. I don't have a scale or way to measure length super acurately so I just wrapped the yarn around my kitchen island 20 times. I got 4 skeins that way, so each is about 25 grams or about 45 yards each.

I then filled some glass canning bottles with water and mixed in two packs of the same Kool-aid in each.

• Berry Blue - only contains blue 1
• Lemon Lime - contains yellow 5 and blue 1
• Black Cherry - contains Red 40 and blue 1
• Tropical Punch - contains Red 40 and Blue 1

I put each skein in the bottle and cooked in the microwave for 2 minutes at a time, letting it cool a bit between nukings. The first three were twisted into a skein so the color wasn't picked up all the way through the middle and there are spots of cream, particularly in the green and blue. The red (black cherry) actually soaked in pretty well. That's when I decided to not twist the last skein and just dropped it in the tropical punch.

Finally, I rinsed and hung them to dry. Aren't  they lovely?

I knit up some swatches to see what they looked like. The blue turned out well, if a bit bright, but my favorite was the Black Cherry. I think I'll do that one again with a looser skein.

I went back and tried to tone some of them down with brown and black.

• Wilton's Black contains Blue 1, Red 3, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6
• Wilton's Brown contains Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1

I added vinegar as the acid to the yarn while it was soaking, since the food coloring doesn't include acid like the kool-aid does.

I added some brown to the green and it ended up a bit different then I expected - more camo style.

I'll probably just make up some preemie hats with the mini-skeins and donate them. Of course, I'll also have to buy lots more wool and kool-aid. This was really fun to do and it was so neat to see the yarn take up the color.

Hat Pattern - made up on the fly.
Cast on 60 sts on dpns, knit some 2x2 rib, knit in stockinette for about 3 inches then started decreasing randomly. when there were 6 sts left I just worked an I-cord for a few inches.