Drawstring Evening Bags......

It is always handy to have a beautiful pouch for special occasions. Twisted cording and decorative bead add a finishing touch to the bag. Medium weight fabrics that drape well such as velvet and velveteen work well. Other suitable fabrics include brocade, satin, and some tapestries. Lightweight fabrics may also be used; to add body and support, underline a lightweight fabric with batiste or fuse a lightweight knit interfacing to the fabric.

For making a drawstring evening bag, you will need:

0.35m outer fabric

0.35m lining fabric

2.4m decorative cording for trim and drawstrings

1.4m decorative cording for shoulder strap

Plastic canvas

End caps

Decorative bead and headpin, sequins

How to sew a drawstring evening bag

1. Cut 28*53.3cm rectangle from outer fabric,mark a line on the right side of the fabric 6cm from the upper long edge. Cut two 5*28cm casing strips from lining fabric. Cut one 31.8*53.5cm rectangle from lining fabric. Cut one circle with 10.8cm diameter from outer fabric and lining fabric. Cut one circle with 10.8cm diameter from plastic canvas.
2. Stitch 6mm double fold hem at short ends of casing strips; press under 6mm on long edges. Pin casing strips to rectangle from outer fabric with upper fold on marked line and hemmed ends 1.3cm from short sides; strips meet at the center.
3. Stitch close to folded edges of casing strips; do not stitch ends. Top stitch decorative cording along upper and lower edges of casing; sue open toe foot or special purpose foot with groove. Tape ends of cording to prevent raveling.
4. Fold rectangle right sides together, matching the short ends; stitch 1.3cm seam taking care not to catch casing in stitching.
5. Stitch two rows of gathering stitches 1cm and 1.3cm from lower edge; pin mark edge into fourths. Pin mark circle from outer fabric into fourths.
6. Pin circle to the lower edge, right sides together matching pin marks.; pull gathering threads and adjust gathers to fit circle. Stitch 1.3cm seam allowance; stitch again close to previous stitches.
7. Stitch 1.3cm from edge of lining circle; press along stitched line. Place circle of plastic canvas on bottom of bag, inside seam allowance. Pin lining circle, wrong side down, over plastic canvas; slip stitch in place. 
8. Cut cording for shoulder strap to desired length; tape ends before cutting to prevent raveling. Position one end of strap on right side of purse at side seam, matching raw edges; stitch 1cm from edge. Position other end of strap at opposite side; stitch.
9. Fold the lining fabric in half crosswise, right sides together; stitch 1.3cm seam on side and bottom leaving 15cm opening on bottom and leaving top completely open.
10. Pin lining to purse with right sides together and raw edges even; to reduce bulk, place lining side seam opposite purse side seam. Stitch 1.3cm seam.
11. Turn purse right side out through opening in lining; machine stitch opening closed. Press upper edge of purse; edge stitch.
12. Cut cording for drawstring into two 66cm cords. Using bodkin, feed one cord through casings, beginning and ending at one side. Repeat for remaining cord, beginning and ending opposite side. Glue end caps to cords. Knot cords together. 
13. Thread bead as desired on headpin; insert pin into the cording at the center front of purse. Using needlelenose pliers from head pin into loop; wrap end of wire around loop to secure.

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