Drawstring Bag Tutorial for hanging Toy Storage

Looking for a fun way to store toys and other kid supplies in a way that doesn’t take up a lot of room? Steph, from the Creative Team, is here to share a drawstring bag tutorial that is perfect for storing kid goodies! enjoy! -Linda

Drawstring Bag Tutorial

drawstring bag tutorial

I’ve been trying to revamp some of the toy storage in my kids’ rooms in an effort to actually set them up for success when I want them to clean their rooms.  Today I’ll show you how to make toy bags from canvas drop cloths.

I chose drop cloths because the canvas is pretty cheap, and it’s nice and sturdy.  Plus, it’s a  great neutral color that would go with any decor, and they can be dressed up more if you want also.

Here’s what you’ll need for 1 bag: 

  • Canvas drop cloth for bag: cut to 18 in x 38 in
  • Canvas for loop: cut to 3 in x 6 in
  • Thin cording 1 yard (can be found on spools at JoAnns)
  • Cord lock for holding the bag closed when cord is cinched.  (I purchased mine from Oregon Cord Lock–no affiliation, but I found them to have great color options and prices, I used the mini locks in teal)
  • Optional: Paint, stencils, heat transfer vinyl, etc for labeling the bag

How to Sew a Loop for Each Bag

inside-out-tool

sew fabric straps

Create a hanging loop by folding small canvas piece in half the long way {so that it measures 1.5 in x 6 in} and sewing a 1/2 inch seam along the longest edge.  Turn inside out (one of these loop turner tools comes in very handy)  then iron flat.

How to Sew the Bag

Fold bag fabric in half {so that it measures 18 in x 19 in} and the 18 inch sides line up.

canvas bag tutorial

1–With the fold towards you, fold down the right hand corners at a slight angle {both layers}, about 2 inches down, and iron. Then sew the folds in place. {refer to image 1 above}  The angled red lines are where you will sew the folds, and the straight red lines are where you’ll sew the side seam in Step 3 below.

2–Take the sewn loop fabric, fold in half, and pin inside the left seam of the bag, about 2 inches down, lining up raw 
edges.

3–Sew bag’s side seams with 1/2 inch seam.  On right side, follow red line straight up so an opening remains at the top. Zigzag stitch the raw edges of both side seams as well as the top raw edges to prevent unraveling.

4–Fold the top raw edge down 1 in and sew at 1/4 in from zigzag edge to create casing.

Finish the ends of the cord using a lighter, fray check or clear nail polish. Then thread cord though the casing by attaching a safety pin to one end and pushing it through.

Once both cord ends are out, insert through a cord lock.  Tie the ends in a square knot.

how to sew drawstring bag

At this point you can label the bag any way you like, or not at all.  I chose images to make stencils from freezer paper. I ironed the freezer paper stencils shiny side down to stick to the fabric and then painted with regular acrylic paint. {fabric paint works great too.}  Before you paint or stencil your bag, make sure to put a piece of paper inside the bag where you’ll be painting. This prevents paint from seeping through.

Freezer-paper-stencil

Finally, I hung 3 hooks in my son’s closet (using drywall anchors for each one of the screws) so the toy bags are accessible but off of the floor.

Toy Storage

hanging toy storageHope you enjoyed this drawstring bag tutorial!

What could you store in drawstring bags? 

If you enjoyed this drawstring bag tutorial, please share it! Thanks!

happy crafting,

Steph

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Steph Paxman
Steph lives in the Pacific Northwest where she can usually be found cutting or gluing something. Besides making messes, she stays busy with her 3 kids, church, PTO and of course blogging.
Steph Paxman

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