| Sewing shoe bags for the guys or gals in your life is | | | | from the bottom in the center of one of the 20 x 11 |
| a great gift idea. No matter what sport or hobby | | | | pieces.After you trim the bag, place 2 bag pieces |
| they enjoy or where they travel. . .far away or to | | | | right sides together.Measure and make a mark 5 |
| the gym, shoe bags or drawstring bags come in | | | | inches down from the top of the bag on both |
| handy.The how to sew sewing instructions are for a | | | | sides.Stitch 1/2 inch seam around bag starting and |
| lined drawstring shoe bag.You are the designer. You | | | | stopping at this 5 inch mark. Do not back stitch. For |
| can decide the purpose, fabric, design and size of | | | | the first and last inch, use short stitches.Repeat |
| your drawstring bag. Here are some | | | | stitching as above for the lining.Press all seams open |
| suggestions.FabricsUse whatever fabric suits your | | | | on both bag and the lining.Press under 1/2 inch on the |
| fancy. About 1/2 yard of fabric makes one shoe | | | | unstitched 5 inch bag side edges. Fuse or stitch to |
| bag.Sturdier fabrics like denim, canvas, slipcover | | | | hold.Do the same for the lining.Turn the bag right side |
| fabric, fake suede, corduroy, etc. work well for | | | | out.Turn the lining right side out.Machine stitch 1/2" at |
| sturdier shoes.Fine fabrics like velour, velvet, cottons, | | | | the bottom of the lining as if you were making a |
| flannels, etc. are good for dressier shoes.Think about | | | | French seam. This creates a strong edge.Turn the |
| satin or silk for lingerie bags or jewelry bags. Or use | | | | lining wrong side out.Slip the lining down into the bag |
| mesh or terry for the beach or laundry bags.Lining is | | | | so that the top edge of the lining is 1/2 inch below |
| optional. But, if you line the bags, choose a | | | | the the top edge of the bag.Fold the top edge of |
| compatible lining fabric that won't tear easily especially | | | | the front of the bag down 1/2 inch over the |
| for the sturdier shoes. Sometimes the same fabric is | | | | lining.Press this fold to make a crease.Now, bring the |
| the best lining. The instructions here are for a lined | | | | top folded pressed edge of the bag down to meet |
| drawstring bag.You may want to use washable | | | | the side edges at the bottom of the opening.Pin to |
| fabrics so you can launder the bags later.Preshrink all | | | | hold and stitch close to this fold edge.To make the |
| fabrics before cutting.DrawstringsUse a pair of 36 | | | | casing, stitch 1" above the previous stitching.Repeat |
| inch long decorative shoe laces or leather laces for | | | | for the back side of the bag.Insert DrawstringsUse a |
| each bag or heavy cord or sew your own fabric or | | | | safety pin or bodkin to help slide the drawstrings |
| fake suede drawstrings. Ribbon also works.SizesSew | | | | through the casings.Slide one drawstring through the |
| a test bag to see if the dimensions are right for | | | | casing of the bag back and front having ends on the |
| you.Cut one bag with the following suggested | | | | same side of the bag.Insert the other drawstring |
| dimensions. Place the shoe inside and check to see if | | | | starting at the other side of the bag, sliding through |
| it fits well. Add or subtract from the length or width | | | | the casing of the bag back and front having ends on |
| to adjust for whatever shoe or item that you | | | | that side of the bag.Tie the ends of the drawstrings |
| have.Suggested SizesFor 2 golf shoe bags, cut 4 | | | | together.That completes the lined drawstring shoe |
| pieces of fabric 20 inches long and 11 inches wide. | | | | bag.Note: If the shoe bag is wide enough for two |
| Cut 4 pieces of lining 19 inches long and 10-1/2 inches | | | | shoes, you may want to stitch up the center of the |
| wide.Note: Cut an extra drawstring bag for a golf ball | | | | bag from the bottom up to (but do not include) the |
| bag.Two bowling shoes will fit into one shoe bag. Cut | | | | casing through all the layers to create separate |
| 2 pieces of fabric 20 inches long and 11 inches wide. | | | | compartments for each shoe to help keep them |
| Cut 2 lining 19 inches long and 10-1/2 inches wide.One | | | | from scuffing.Pin before stitching and test to see if |
| bag may also hold 2 tennis shoes or 2 ladies dress | | | | there is enough room |
| shoes.Gym shoes vary in size. For extra large or small | | | | for the shoes. If not, you may want to increase the |
| shoes, measure around the shoe and adjust the size | | | | width |
| of the fabric plus seam allowances to accommodate | | | | of your shoe bag.Sew bags any size for anything. |
| the size of the shoe.How To Sew Sewing | | | | Everybody needs a bag for |
| TechniqueDecorate the Shoe BagMake the | | | | something. Kids love treasure bags. Make big bags |
| drawstring bag unique with a special design or | | | | and little bags. Give drawstring bags to family and |
| emblem. Think about monogramming the bags or | | | | friends for Fathers' Day, birthday gifts, Christmas |
| adding a sport motif applique or embroidery design | | | | gifts, etc. Enjoy sewing bags!It just makes sense! |
| prior to stitching. Place the design about 3 inches | | | | |