This drawstring bag is made of a reversible jacquard fabric, with three pieces alternately combined. Depending on how you tie the string, it can be used as a tote bag or a shoulder bag. The fabric used for this bag is “Anpan,” a representative pattern of the “MUDDY WORKS” series. The jacquard woven in Nishiwaki, Hyogo Prefecture, the birthplace of Banshu weaving, is soft and has a unique sheen. With the small Anpan (Japanese sweet bean bun) pattern, it can be used in a variety of ways, such as for clothing and scarves.

We interviewed Satomi about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
This jacquard fabric is very soft and relatively thin, so I made a ruffled drawstring bag with beautiful gathering. The bag is designed in a simple form without a gusset so that the Anpan pattern will stand out.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
Taking advantage of the reversible fabric design, three pieces are sewn together alternately on the front and back sides to play with the fabric. The lining side is a single piece of fabric applied with a convenient interfacing (Presion). It is a very easy process, making the back side beautiful. By attaching the tape on the sides from the front, the shape of the bag becomes more solid and it changes its look into a structured bag.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
Adjust the opening for the string according to the size of the string.

KF: How should we incorporate this bag into one’s styling?
It is even easier to use if you add a pocket inside. By tying the string in a different way, you can carry it easily like a tote bag. In addition, if you pull only one string, it becomes a shoulder strap, which is very convenient. It will make me happy if you can make many bags in various colors and patterns and use them to accessorize your styling.

KF: Thank you very much, Satomi! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!

Instructions

1.

Cut the fabrics.

2.

Sew together three pieces and press the seam open. Using an iron, adhere fusible interfacing on the back side.
※Looking at it from the front side, the center piece should have a white background, and navy background for the right and left pieces.

3.

With the front sides facing each other, fold in half. Mark the opening for the cord (where it’s unsewn) at 12cm and 14cm from the top opening. Fold the top opening for 1cm to the lining side and sew the sides.
※Repeat the same process on the other side of the dotted line.

4.

Fold the top opening to the lining side and apply three lines of stitches from the front side.
※When folding, match the opening edge with the 14cm marking from Step 3. Cut the seam on both sides to 5mm.

5.

Turn the bag inside out and align the shape. Attach the tape on both sides.
※Before attaching, fold the top and bottom of the tape for 1cm to the lining side.

6.

Insert the cord through the opening and tie the ends of the opposite cords. Finished!

◎Sewing Tutorial

◎Sewing Tutorial(PDF format / A4 size)

For inquiries regarding wholesale in North America

Visit our site for the official wholesale distributor of KOKKA fabrics in North America (United States of America and Canada.)

KOKKA’s official online shop information

Kokka Fabrics is the official online store run by Kokka USA, Inc. We specialize in printed fabrics but also have a wide range of high-quality solid textiles.
We ship to the United States and Canada from our warehouse located in Torrance, California.

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