Sewing shoe bags for the guys or girls in your life is a great gift idea. It doesn’t matter what sport or hobby they enjoy or where they travel. . from afar or to go to the gym, shoe bags or drawstring bags come in handy.
Sewing instructions are for a lined drawstring shoe bag.
You are the designer. You can decide on the purpose, fabric, design and size of your drawstring bag. Here are some suggestions.
Fabrics
Use the fabric that you like best. About 1/2 yard of fabric makes a shoe bag.
Stronger fabrics such as denim, canvas, cover fabric, faux suede, corduroy, etc. they work well for sturdier shoes.
Fine fabrics such as velor, velvet, cottons, flannels, etc. they are good for more elegant shoes.
Think satin or silk for lingerie bags or jewelry bags. Or use mesh or terry for the beach or laundry bags.
The lining is optional. But, if you line your bags, choose a compatible lining fabric that won’t tear easily, especially for sturdier shoes. Sometimes the same fabric is the best lining. The instructions here are for a lined drawstring bag.
You may want to use washable fabrics so you can wash the bags later.
Preshrink all fabrics before cutting.
Laces
Use a pair of 36-inch long decorative shoelaces or leather laces for each bag or chunky string or sew your own fabric or faux suede laces. Ribbon works too.
Sizes
Sew a test bag to see if the dimensions are right for you.
Cut a bag with the following suggested dimensions. Put the shoe inside and check if it fits you. Add or subtract the length or width to fit any shoes or items you have.
Suggested Sizes
For 2 golf shoe bags, cut 4 pieces of fabric 20 inches long and 11 inches wide. Cut 4 pieces of siding 19 inches long and 10-1 / 2 inches wide.
Note: Cut an extra drawstring bag for a golf ball bag.
Two bowling shoes will fit in a shoe bag. Cut 2 pieces of fabric 20 inches long and 11 inches wide. Cut 2 liners 19 inches long and 10-1 / 2 inches wide.
A bag can also contain 2 tennis shoes or 2 women’s dress shoes.
Gym shoes vary in size. For extra large or small shoes, measure around the shoe and adjust the fabric size plus seam allowances to fit the shoe size.
How to sew sewing technique
Decorate the shoe bag
Make the drawstring bag unique with a special design or emblem. Consider putting a monogram on the bags or adding a sports motif applique or embroidery design before sewing. Place the design about 3 inches from the bottom in the center of one of the 20 x 11 pieces.
After cutting out the bag, place 2 pieces of the bag right sides together.
Measure and make a mark 5 inches down from the top of the bag on both sides.
Sew a 1/2-inch seam around the bag starting and stopping at this 5-inch mark. Do not sew backwards. For the first and last inch, use short stitches.
Repeat sewing as above for the lining.
Press all open seams on both the bag and the lining.
Press less than 1/2 inch into the side edges of the 5-inch raw bag. Merge or sew to fasten.
Do the same with the lining.
Turn the bag right side out.
Turn the liner from the right side out.
Machine sew 1/2 “to the bottom of the lining as if you were French sewing. This creates a strong edge.
Turn the liner inside out.
Slide the liner down into the bag so that the top edge of the liner is 1/2 inch below the top edge of the bag.
Fold the top edge of the front of the bag down 1/2 inch over the liner.
Press this fold to make a crease.
Now lower the top folded pressed edge of the bag to match the side edges at the bottom of the opening.
Pin to fasten and sew close to this fold edge.
To make the shell, sew 1 “above the previous seam.
Repeat for the back of the bag.
Insert laces
Use a safety pin or bodice to help slide the laces through the covers.
Slide a drawstring through the bag shell back and forth with ends on the same side of the bag.
Insert the other drawstring starting on the other side of the bag, sliding it through the shell of the bag to the back and the front that has ends on that side of the bag.
Tie the ends of the shoelaces.
That completes the lined drawstring shoe bag.
Note: If the shoe bag is wide enough for two shoes, you may want to sew the center of the bag from the bottom up (but not include) the shell through all layers to create separate compartments for each shoe to help maintain them
scratches.
Pin before sewing and test to see if there is enough space
for shoes. If not, you may want to increase the width
out of your shoe bag.
Sew bags of any size for anything. Everybody needs a bag to
something. Kids love treasure bags. Make big bags and small bags. Present drawstring bags to family and friends for Father’s Day, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, etc. Enjoy sewing bags!
Makes sense!