Fellowship of the Things

Cut two identical pieces of lining and two identical pieces of the bag.

All four pieces should be the same size. We did not use a template, simply made a rectangle approximately 11" tall by 9" wide with the bottom two corners rounded.

With the good sides together, pin your two lining pieces.

Sew around the perimeter of the lining, leaving the top unsewn.

With the good sides together, pin your two bag pieces.

Sew around the perimeter of the bag, leaving the top unsewn.

Optional: If your bag material is of a heavier fabric, you can snip little triangles into the edges of the corners. DO NOT snip into the stitching. This will help reduce bulk when turning the bag right side out.

Note: There is no need to iron the seams of the liner once it has been turned right side out, as the liner will end up functionally wrong side out once the bag is fully constructed.

Insert the lining inside the bag. Lining should be right side out and bag should be right side in, so they both have their right sides against each other.

Pin around the perimeter of the top edge and then sew, leaving a gap approximately 4" wide on one side.

Pull both the lining and the bag through the gap to turn the whole piece right side out.

Hint: If you are having trouble, pull the lining through first to reduce the bulk and then work on the bag portion. If you are still having trouble, use a seam ripper to increase the width of your gap. DO NOT force the fabric through as you could rip the fabric along the corners of gap in the seam.

Tuck the lining inside the bag, then pin around the perimeter of the mouth. Ensure the gap is properly lined up and pinned so it will be hidden after sewing.

Sew around the perimeter, just along the edge of the mouth.

Sew around the perimeter again, further down. Make sure the second seam is sufficiently placed away from the first so that your ribbon can be threaded between the two seams. We placed ours approximately 15mm apart, but you may want to adjust depending what material you are using for the drawstring.

Use a seam ripper to carefully open the side seams between the two mouth seams, on each side of the bag. Be careful not to rip the fabric or open the sides wider than the space between the two mouth seams.

You will require two pieces of ribbon that are approximately 6" longer than the circumference of the mouth of the bag.

Using a large safety pin, thread one piece of ribbon from one side opening and all the way around to the same opening. Knot the two ends of that piece of ribbon together.

Thread the second piece of ribbon from the opposite side opening and all the way around to the same opening. Knot the two end of that piece of ribbon together.

Your bag is now ready to fill with largesse or other goodies!