Dr. Seuss Drawstring Bag

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1/3yd Dr. Seuss print fabric
• 1 or 2 different solid color fat quarters for color block trim
• Thread to match trim
• Rotary cutter, ruler & mat
• Fabric scissors
• Air erasable fabric marker
• Large safety pin
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine
• Iron & pressing surface

DIRECTIONS:

1. Note: 1/2" seam allowance throughout.
2. Directions are for the one color block bag, if sewing the two color block bag read the variation directions below.
3. Cut two Dr. Seuss fabric pieces 10" wide by 11" high for the bag body (A).
4. Cut two strips 2"x 22" from a fat quarter for the drawstrings (D).
5. Cut two pieces 10" wide by 5" high of the same fat quarter for the color block top of the bag (B).
6. If making the bottom color block portion cut two pieces 10" wide by 5" high (C).
7. Fold the drawstring strips (D) in half lengthwise and press. Open up and fold one side in to the middle crease and press, repeat on the other side. Fold the sides in and press. Top stitch along the long open edge. Repeat with second strip. Set aside.
8. With right sides together sew B's to the top of the A's. Press seam allowances toward A. Using the marker draw a line on the color block (A) portion parallel to the seam 1" from the seam. Draw another line 1" from the first line. When the side seams are sewn the 1" space between the lines is left open as that is where the drawstring will pull through.
9. Place the two A/B panels right sides together, pin and sew sides and bottom together leaving the opening between the drawn lines.
10. Press seam allowances open. To make the squared off bottom corners at one corner match the side seam and the bottom seam up to make a corner point. Measure up along the fold 2" from the point and make a mark at each side fold. Draw a line between the marks. Sew along that drawn line and cut off the corner point. Repeat on other side.
11. To make the casing turn and press the top raw edge 1/2" toward the inside. Fold the top down inside so the folded edge is along the seam line inside. Pin in place. From the outside topstitch near the seam on the color block side to hold the folded edge in place. Sew a straight stitch along the first drawn line (closest to the seam), this will make the casing the size needed. Top stitch along the top fold about 1/8" to 1/16" from the fold if desired.
12. Put the pin on the end of one drawstring and use it to thread the drawstring in through the casing starting on one side and working all the way around. Thread the other drawstring through the casing starting from the other side and ending at the other side. Knot the ends together.
13. Two Color Block version:
14. Cut two pieces 10" wide by 5" high of the other fat quarter for the color block bottom of the bag (C).
15. Sew color block B to A as above. Draw a line horizontally across the front of the A portion 4" from the bottom on both A/B panels. Place C right sides together with the long edge along the drawn line and the rest of C up towards the A/B seam line. Sew C 1/2" above the drawn line. Fold C down toward the bottom of the bag and press. The bottom of the bag and the bottom of C will match up.
16. Continue the construction as above treating the double layer of fabric at the bottom of each side as a single fabric.