Drawstring Bag Project

At any given time, I have countless projects in my head. My mind is a busy, colorful place. I try to write the ideas down so I don't lose them, but some refuse to be forgotten no matter what. This is one of those projects.

At some point I bought something that came in this drawstring bag. I couldn't even tell you what it was. I do know that from the first moment I got it, I knew I had to use this bag in a project.

I picked out some fabrics I like (the top two are the fabrics I used for the front and back of Maddie's pillow). I eyeballed the size and ripped a large enough piece of the blue fabric to cover the entire piece so the black graphic wouldn't show through the lighter fabrics. Then I ripped the other two fabrics creating this look. Seriously, I hate cutting fabric. I never get it straight enough for my perfectionist tendencies. Also, ripping fabric is therapeutic. Go try it. Instant stress reliever.

I sewed the fabrics together, layering as I went, cut out a large flower from another fabric (using stabilizer on the fabric) and stitched it to a crocheted doily and then stitched that onto the fabric piece. Then I embroidered my initials on the corner of the bag (mostly so neither of my children would steal the bag from me) and then sewed the entire fabric piece to the drawstring bag.

I hope my instructions were clear. Let me know if you have any questions! It was so fun and crazy easy. I will probably use it as a project bag. Or for packing things I want to keep separate on trips. Or both. For now I'm just happy to look at it hanging there by the door. I've got a similar tote project that won't get out of my head that I want to do soon with a really nice heavy tote I got free at West Elm when our store first opened. I'll be sure to share that one too!  I'm wishing I had about 10 extra hours in every day. Plus a maid, chef and chauffeur. There's no telling what I could get done then! Have a creative weekend!