For a while now, I have been keeping The Boy’s foam blocks in the vinyl bag they came in; the zipper had broken a while ago, and it was kind of a pain. When my friend gave me this awesome helicopter fabric, I knew just what to do with it!

Helicopter Fabric Easy  Draw string Duffle Bag Tutorial Toys Oraganization

I made a very simple duffle bag for his blocks. It’s so easy, I didn’t even use a pattern.

First, figure out how big you want the bottom of your bag to be. I used a large mixing bowl and traced around it. Then, to cut the side, you need to figure out the circumference. There is an easy way to find the circumference: diameter x Pi.

Helicopter Fabric Easy  Draw string Duffle Bag Tutorial Toys Organization Circumference

 After you find the width of your bag, then simply make it as tall as you need it to be. Make sure to leave a seam allowance.

Helicopter Fabric Easy  Draw string Duffle Bag Tutorial Toys Organization

Start by folding under the top of your bag twice, hiding the raw edge. Iron it in place, but don’t sew it.

Helicopter Fabric Easy  Draw string Duffle Bag Tutorial Toys Organization

I decided to use button holes for the drawstring. Unfortunately, I started by sewing my fold down before I sewed the button holes, which DOES NOT work, so make sure to iron this part in place so it makes a nice crease, then unfold it and sew your button holes below your crease. 
Next, sew the ends of your bag together to you make a tube, RIGHT sides together. Remember, your top piece shouldn’t be sewn down yet!
After than, pin and sew your bottom circle, RIGHT sides together. 
Helicopter Fabric Easy  Draw string Duffle Bag Tutorial Toys Organization
For the last part, sew down your top piece. The reason it is sewn last is because you need a tube all around the top of your bag to push a drawstring through. 
To make the drawstring, cut a piece a few inches wide, and twice as long at your body piece. Fold and iron both sides in, and then fold the whole piece in half. Then, simply sew along the edge to keep everything in place. Put a large safety pin at the end, and insert it through the button holes. 
Finished!
Helicopter Fabric Easy  Draw string Duffle Bag Tutorial Toys Organization

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5 Comments

  1. Do you know where I can find this fabric? My husband flies the Apache helicopter (this one) and I’m wanting to make suck pads for my baby carrier and I like this one

    1. No I wish I could help you! The fabric was given to me by a friend about 3 years ago. Unfortunately, I don’t remember which friend now. So sorry!