Sewing an 18th Century Drawstring Bag

After my dogs attacked my prized Pottery Barn duvet cover in the dead center of it (rendering it completely useless as bed clothes), I cut the bottom lining off to use for other projects and saved the decorative top for…whatever may come up.  Turns out I have super educated and talented friends who spotted the pattern as Indienne, a fabric pattern popular between 17th and 19th centuries.   So I cut down a quarter of the duvet cover for an 18th century jacket (coming soon to the blog) and used some scrappy areas for a stomacher (also coming soon), pockets (see the pockets build here), and with what little was left…I made a small drawstring bag inspired by a bag carried by Claire from Outlander in season 2 (see the pin here).

 

 

I couldn’t find a pattern for a drawstring bag so I made one (download my PDF pattern here).  Printing on an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper limits the size but it could be scaled to any size.  Instructions are below.

 

 

18th Century Drawstring Bag How-To

• Cut 2 pattern (outside), 2 contrast (lining), and 2 fusible interfacing
• Iron interfacing to wrong sides of patterned fabric
• With right sides together, stitch pattern to liner at top
• Repeat with other pattern & liner
• Turn right side out and iron top seam

 

 

Optional Step

• Position extra-wide double-fold bias tape where drawstring will be inserted on both patterned fabric (I’m using linen here, which frays like a mofo)

 

 

• With right sides together, stitch both patterned pieces together around curve
• Trim excess
• Turn right side out and iron flat

 

 

Optional Step

• If using bias tape, stitch top and bottom all the way around bag (to keep bias tape in place)

 

 

• Cut slits through bias tape, patterned outside, and liner as shown in pattern and picture below
• Insert string or closed bias tape weaving in and out between slits
• Tie loose ends in knot
• Carry around wrist

 

 

Optional Step

• Fill a flask of whisky and insert into drawstring purse…slàinte!

 

 

Coming soon…the rest of the 18th century clothing items made with the fated duvet cover, including jacket, stomacher, stays, and hat trim.

 

 

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