Making A ditty Bag
DRAWSTRINGS – a pair of 30-inch shoelaces (any color) or two 30-inch
lengths of suitable material (twine, thin cord or crocheted rug or plastic
canvas yarn etc.) which slides smoothly, will not unravel, and has no
knots! ***No joined shoelaces or knotty yarn, please!***
FABRIC – two pieces of washable, sturdy, colorful, but not OLD, cloth
which measure 12x18” (different is OK) or one 12x36”. A yard of 36”
wide cloth will give three 12x36” lengths; 45”, four 11¼ x36” pieces and
60”, five 12x36” sections. To prevent cloth from unraveling, cut with
pinking shears or, later, turn hem under, serge or double seam raw
edges. (A 12x18” cardboard pattern is helpful to mark the material for
size and list bag notes).
SEWING INSTRUCTIONS – Place the “right” (pattern) sides of the
material together, making a 12x18” rectangle (if 36”, the fold becomes
the bag bottom). BEFORE sewing a 1/4” seam around the two 18” sides
and the bottom (to form THE BAG), decide how to handle the casing
formed by a 2” hem created next from the open bag top. Some sewers
sew the entire 18” length, then cut the seam threads between 2 ¾ and 3
¾” from the top edge. Others choose not to sew that one-inch space
when sewing the 18” seam. However you do it, take a second afterward
to finger press open (flatten back) a 4” length of seam salvage from the
top down on both seams. (NOTE: It is through these seam openings,
which will be visible later only on the outside of the bag, that the
drawstrings will be placed. This “extra” effort allows the drawstrings to
easily move in or out of the casing). After you make the seam all around
about 3/4” from the fold-over, then hem another seam an inch lower,
close to the cut edge. Turn the bag inside out before doing the
drawstrings.
DRAWSTRING INSTRUCTIONS – Insert one drawstring (using a safety
pin or some type of “threader”) at either hole, bring it around and through the casing to exit at the SAME hole and knot both ends tightly together. Do the same at the other hole.
What to Pack
DITTY BAG ITEMS
Gloves Memo Pads Toothpaste Q-tips
Floss Kleenex Band-Aids Cologne
Hair Brushes Razors Pens/Pencils Soap
Knit Hats Calendars Shoe Polish Pocket sized bibles
Nail Files Tooth Brushes (1 pk) Mending Kit Word/number puzzles
Scarves Playing Cards Shoelaces Shaving Cream
Lotion Deodorant Socks Small Puzzles
Nail Clippers Long Underwear Travel-sized toiletries First Aid Kits etc...
****If you're filling ditty bags with these items, please keep in mind heaviness of each bag.
****
Keeping the weight no more than 2 or 3 pounds.
