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. . .away or to the gym, shoe bags or drawstring bags come in handy.
The sewing instructions for how to sew are for a drawstring lined shoe bag.
You are the designer. You can decide the purpose, fabric, design and size of your drawstring bag. Here are some suggestions.
fabrics
Use any fabric that suits your taste. About 1/2 yard of fabric makes a shoe bag.
Heavier fabrics like denim, canvas, sheath cloth, faux suede, corduroy, etc. they work well for sturdier shoes.
Fine fabrics such as velvet, velvet, cottons, flannels, etc. they are good for dressier shoes.
Think satin or silk for lingerie bags or jewelry bags. Or use mesh or fleece for the beach or laundry bags.
The lining is optional. But, if you do line the bags, choose a compatible lining fabric that won’t tear easily, especially for tougher shoes. Sometimes the fabric itself 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.
Pre-shrunk all fabrics before cutting.
Laces
Use a pair of 36-inch-long decorative shoelaces or leather laces for each bag or chunky drawstring or sew your own fabric or faux suede laces. Tape works too.
Sizes
Sew a test bag to see if the dimensions are right for you.
Cut a bag to the following suggested dimensions. Put the shoe inside and check if it fits well. Add or subtract from 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 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 hold 2 women’s sneakers or 2 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 accommodate the shoe size.
How to sew sewing technique
Decorate the shoe bag
Make the drawstring bag unique with a special design or emblem. Consider monogramming bags or adding a sports motif appliqué 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 trimming the bag, lay 2 bag pieces 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. Don’t stitch. For the first and last inch, use short stitches.
Repeat stitching as above for 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 bag without sewing. Fuse or sew to fasten.
Do the same for the lining.
Turn the bag right side out.
Flip the liner right side out.
Machine sew 1/2″ into the bottom of the lining as if French sewing. This creates a sturdy edge.
Turn the lining 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 bag front down 1/2 inch over the lining.
Press this crease to make a crease.
Now, lower the pressed top folded edge of the bag so that it meets the side edges at the bottom of the opening.
Pin to hold and sew close to this edge of the fold.
To make the shell, sew 1″ above the previous seam.
Repeat for the back of the bag.
insert laces
Use a safety pin or an awl to help slide the laces through the covers.
Slide a drawstring through the bag casing back and forth with the ends on the same side of the bag.
Insert the other drawstring starting on the other side of the bag, sliding it through the bag shell back and forth ending on that side of the bag.
Tie the ends of the laces together.
That completes the lined drawstring shoe bag.
Note: If the shoe bag is wide enough for two shoes, you can sew the center of the bag from the bottom up (but do not include) the shell through all layers to create separate compartments for each shoe to help. keep them
of scratches.
Pin before sewing and test to see if there is enough space
for the shoes If not, you may want to increase the width
from your shoe bag.
Sew bags of any size for anything. Everybody needs a bag to
something. Children love treasure bags. Make big bags and small bags. Give drawstring bags to family and friends for Father’s Day, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, etc. Enjoy sewing bags!
It just makes sense!
