5-Minute Recycled Drawstring Pouch

This is a really simple and useful pouch that was spawned out of the leftover t-shirt scraps from my last project. It literally takes five minutes if you've got everything on hand and can work a needle and thread like a pro (up to fifteen minutes if you break the sewing machine in the process, like me :) )


*** Disclaimer: I am no sewing expert. I only learned how to fix and use our family's dusty old sewing machine two weeks ago to work on another project. I promptly broke it again during this project, so if you read any part of this project that makes you cringe and yell something similar to, "NO! You can't use that type of stitch!!!" please post your suggestion in the comments and I'll make the appropriate changes to this Instructable.

Step 1 Stuff you need

Materials
- A scrap t-shirt with the sleeve intact (long-sleeved for a larger bag and shorts sleeve for a small bag)
- An old shoestring or whatever other string you have lying around. I would go for something longer than 30 cm (1 ft) for ease of use
- Thread. The thread material should ideally match your t-shirt material

Tools
- Scissors
- Needle
- Fabric chalk or a sharpie
- Sewing machine (optional. you can do this by hand)

Comments

[Hobo in Training]

Did it! Didn't come out as pretty, but it's my first ever completed instructable. Yaaaaay.

[TabbyDeAnne]

HOW AMAZING! THIS IS A GREAT REUSE IDEA! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING! 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!

[JMMBA]

i made one of these before...manually >:(

[amnartist]

I'm not trying to give sewing lessons here but here's an important tip. If you do wish to sew something like this on a sewing machine, which I would encourage you to do if you have access to one as it makes the project go so much faster, use a 'ball point' needle on t-shirt and other stretchy type material. And it needs to be a size 11 or 14(U.S.)depending on thickness of fabric I can explain the difference in ball point and regular needles, but that's not necessary to this project. So many people give up trying to sew on a machine or jam it up with the needle being one major problem sometimes. Well worth the few dollars for a package of ball points.

[allen_idaho]

I did something similar with an old pair of BDU pants while I was in the military. Since they already drawstrings in them, all I needed to do was cut the legs off, tuck the material in and sew the bottom shut.

It was win-win. I got a new pair of shorts and 2 new camoflage storage bags made of rip-stop fabric.

[Mauigerbil]

Do steps 4 and six with a pillowcase and it will suddenly be one too!

[hlfwy.thr]

Indeed! Good idea :)

[Mauigerbil]

It's even cooler if it's tie- dyed! I did this a few weeks ago...

[farzadbayan]

Nice work with very beautiful photos! Thanks!

[splazem]

I use these so much, but they always break! Thanks for showing me how to make my own!

[pneha]

woooow u r excellent thank u so much u help me soo much !