How To Make a Drawstring Shoe Bag

Keep your shoes from getting your clothes dirty in your luggage with this new sewing project. Today, I’m going to show you How To Make a Drawstring Shoe Bag! This simple sewing project combines vinyl and fabric to make a bag for your shoes that is stylish and functional. You can make this shoe bag in a few different sizes to best suit your needs. I am planning on taking a trip in the next few weeks and needed something that would keep my shoes from getting the other items in my bag dirty. I looked around and I couldn’t find anything I liked in the store that was easy to clean. This simple sewing project combines the best of both worlds, being easy to wipe clean while still looking nice. This is an easy sewing project to make and you can do it for about $3.00. The supplies listed below are enough to make two bags, you can make one for yourself and a friend. I will be making some of these for the kids as well, as their shoes are often the dirtiest. Pick out some cute fabric and decide what size bag you will make. 

I used 12-gauge vinyl for my shoe bag as it splits the middle between being durable and adding unnecessary weight. 1/3 yard of both fabric and vinyl will make two bags so you’ll need to double it if you want to make more than two. Gather up the rest of your supplies and let’s get started! If you love sewing drawstring items then check out how to sew a drawstring purse.

What You’ll Need:

• 1/3 yard of cotton fabric
• 1/3 yard of 12-gauge clear vinyl
• 2 yards of 5-6 mm cording
• Matching thread
• Iron or heat press
• Thread Clippers
• Sewing Clips
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat, & Ruler
• Sewing Machine
• Medium size safety pin

Finished Size:

• Large Bag – 10.5″ x 13″
• Medium Bag – 10.0″ x 12″
• Small Bag – 8.5″ x 10″

How To Make a Drawstring Shoe Bag

Start this how to make a drawstring shoe bag sewing tutorial by cutting out your fabric pieces. Cut one 18″ x 11.5″ piece of the vinyl and two 11.5″ x 8.5″ pieces of the cotton fabric. Cut your drawstring cording in half and then cut those two pieces in half, so you have four even pieces of cording.

On a flat surface, lay your vinyl so your long ends are horizontal. Place one piece of fabric, right side facing the vinyl, on the right side of the vinyl, (so the long end (11.5”) of the fabric is aligned with the short side (11.5”) of the clear vinyl) and pin or clip into place. Repeat on the other side with the second piece of fabric. Now you have the body of the bag, with two pieces of fabric on either side of a long stretch of vinyl in the middle.

Now on this drawstring shoe bag sewing project, it’s time to sew! Using a ½” seam allowance, stitch along the pin or clipped right and left sides. Trim the seams to ¼”.

Position the body so the seams are facing up. Starting on the right side, fold the seam over left so the edge is facing the fabric. Using a 1/8” seam allowance, stitch the seam in place using a straight or small zig zag stitch, making a French seam. Repeat on the other side, folding the seam to the right.

Next on this diy shoe bag tutorial, place the body on a flat surface and position it so it is vertical, with the fabric at the top and the bottom and the vinyl is in the middle. Fold in half so the top edge of the fabrics is aligned, and right sides are facing, making sure your seams are lined up.

Using a ruler, measure 1.5” from the bottom and using a pen, make a mark on the vinyl. Repeat on the other side. Fold the vinyl up and line the bottom with the 1.5” mark. Pin each side in place.

Turn the body of the bag so the fabric is now on the bottom. Using a ruler, measure 1/2″ from the bottom and using a pen, make a mark on the fabric.

Now measure 2.5” from the bottom and mark it. Repeat both steps on the other side. (This will be the opening for the cording to go through.

Now on this drawstring shoe bag sewing tutorial, pin or clip both sides closed. Using a ½” seam allowance, stitch along the pin or clipped right and left sides, leaving the space between the 1/2” and 2.5” you marked on the fabric UNSEWN. Make sure to reinforce your stitching on either side of the opening.

Using a warm iron, press open your FABRIC side seams. Fold over the top edge ½” and press. Fold down again 1” and press. 

Pin or clip around entire bag, making sure to match the fabric side seams.

Using ¼” seam allowance, stitch the open, folded edge closed, making sure to reinforce the opening at the sides.

Trim seam allowance on the vinyl ¼”. Carefully and patiently, turn the bag right side out Because the vinyl is stiff, it will be a bit harder to turn. You may want to use a wooden chopstick to push out the corners. 

The last step in the how to make a drawstring show bag sewing tutorial is to add the closure. Attach a safety pin to one end of the cording and insert it into one of the openings of the bag. Pushing the safety pin, thread the safety pin until it comes out the other side. Repeat on the other side. Tie a knot at the ends of the cording.

And that’s it! Now you know how to make a drawstring shoe bag! This little bag is perfect for packing an extra pair of shoes in your luggage for your next trip. The vinyl part of the bag can be wiped clean if it gets dirty. This is a simple sewing project that makes a big difference in the way you pack.

If you liked learning how to make a drawstring shoe bag, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, be certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!

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