Creative Jewelry Bags: Sewing And Crocheting Crafts

Whether you're looking for a fun project or a gift for a loved one, sewing or crocheting a jewellery bag is a great option. You can use a variety of materials, such as acrylic sport-weight yarn, quilting cotton, or canvas, to create a unique and personalised bag. Online resources provide free patterns and step-by-step tutorials to guide you through the process of making your own jewellery bag. These bags can be customised with different fabrics, colours, and embellishments, making them perfect for storing and organising your jewellery collection or for gifting to someone special.

Characteristics of Jewelry Bags to Sew or Crochet

Sewing a drawstring jewellery bag with inside compartments

Sewing a drawstring bag with inside compartments is a great beginner project and can be a wonderful gift idea. You can use cotton, linen, or canvas fabric for the bag, and some cord, ribbon, leather strips, or thick twine for the drawstring.

Gather Your Materials:

• 2 fabric pieces sized 11" x 11" (you can adjust the size as needed).
• 2 contrasting fabric pieces sized 8" x 8".
• 2 pieces of cording or ribbon, each 30" long.
• Basic sewing supplies: sewing machine, thread, scissors, pins, etc.

Prepare the Fabric:

• Cut out your fabric pieces to the specified sizes.
• Fold and iron the fabric pieces to make sewing easier. For the larger pieces, fold them in half, wrong sides together, and press the fold that will be the bottom of your bag.
• For the smaller pieces, fold in the edges by about 0.5 inches, wrong sides facing, on the sides that will be the top of the bag. These folds will create the marks for your side seams.

Sew the Bag:

• Open the folds and place the two larger fabric pieces right sides together. Sew the side seams, stopping about 2 inches from the top edge to create the channel for the drawstring.
• Trim the bottom corners of the seam to reduce bulk.
• Iron the seams open, and also open the edges of the channel.
• Fold over the channel hems and sew the channels closed horizontally, reinforcing the stitches at the beginning and end.

Create the Inside Compartments:

• Place the smaller fabric pieces right sides together and sew along three sides, leaving one side open for turning.
• Trim the corners and turn the smaller fabric piece right side out.
• Insert the smaller piece inside the larger piece, aligning the open side of the smaller piece with the channel of the larger piece. Sew along the top of the channel to secure the inside compartment in place.

Insert the Drawstring:

• Cut two pieces of ribbon or cord, each 30" long.
• Attach a safety pin to one end of the ribbon and insert it through one of the channels, then knot the end.
• Repeat with the other piece of ribbon on the opposite side.

Now you have a drawstring jewellery bag with inside compartments! You can adjust the size and add decorations as desired.

Sewing a travel jewellery pouch

Materials:

• 2 fat quarters of quilting fabric
• 3" scrap piece of fusible fleece
• 2.2 yards or 2 meters of ⅛"-width (3mm) satin cording
• Basic sewing supplies like a sewing machine or needle, pins or sewing clips, iron, scissors, or a rotary cutter
• 2 fabric pieces size 11″ x 11″
• 2 contrasting fabric pieces size 8″ x 8″
• 2 pieces of cording or ribbon, each 30″ long

Steps:

Step 1: Cut the Fabric

Print the pattern at 100% size and cut out the following fabric pieces:

• 2 large circles (Pattern Piece #1)
• 2 smaller circles (Pattern Piece #2)
• 1 piece of fusible fleece (Pattern Piece #3)
• 4 squares, each 3" (7.5 cm) for hexies (optional)

Step 2: Make Buttonholes

Make 2 buttonholes on one of the large circle pieces that will become the outer fabric. Place the buttonholes on opposite sides of the circle, each ½" inch long, and positioned between 1 ¾" and 2 ¼" (4.5 and 5.7 cm) away from the outer edge.

Step 3: Sew the Large Circles

Place the two large circle pieces right sides together and stitch around using a ¼" (7mm) seam allowance. Leave a 2" (5cm) gap for turning.

Step 4: Turn the Large Circles Right Side Out

Use pinking shears to trim the edges or make small notches all around the circle for easier turning. Do not trim the gap for turning.

Step 5: Edge Stitch

Press the fabric and then edge stitch all the way around. The seam will also close the gap for turning.

Step 6: Make the Pockets

Apply the small 3-inch circle of fusible fleece to the backside of the pocket lining.

Step 7: Stitch the Pocket Circles

Place the two pocket pieces right sides together and stitch using a ¼" (7mm) seam allowance, leaving a 2" (5cm) gap for turning.

Step 8: Turn the Pocket Right Side Out

Press the fabric, trim the edges using pinking shears, and then turn it right side out. Press and edge stitch, similar to the larger circles.

Step 9: Trace and Sew Slip Pockets

Use pattern pieces to trace the central circle and dividers onto the sewn pocket piece. Center the pocket circle on the large circle, with the lining sides touching. Topstitch through all the layers, including the small center circle and the pocket dividers.

Step 10: Make a Casing for the Cording

Create two circular seams that align with the buttonholes. The buttonholes should be between the two seams, and the seams should just touch the edges of the buttonholes. The inner line of stitching should be close to the edge of the smaller circle, and the outer line should be ½" (1.3cm) away from the inner line.

Step 11: Insert the Cording

Attach a safety pin to one of the satin cords and guide it through one buttonhole, all the way around. Repeat with the other cord and the other buttonhole.

Step 12: Add Drawstring Pulls

Tie a knot at each end of the drawstrings. You can also add hexie pulls for a cuter look and easier use.

Now you have a travel jewellery pouch to safely store your jewellery while travelling!

Crocheting a drawstring gift bag

A crochet drawstring bag is a fun and beginner-friendly project that can be used as a gift bag, jewellery pouch, or everyday accessory. Here are detailed instructions on how to create a simple crochet drawstring bag:

Materials:

You will need the following materials:

• Yarn: Choose a type, colour, and texture that suits your preference. For a summer bag, raffia in a natural colour is a good option.
• Crochet hook: Select a hook size that complements your yarn. A smaller hook is better for finer yarn, while a larger hook is more suitable for chunkier yarn.
• Scissors: For cutting the yarn and finishing your project.
• Yarn or tapestry needle: This is used for weaving in ends and adding embellishments.
• Optional decorations: Beads, charms, or embroidery thread can be used to decorate your bag.
• Ribbon or cord: This will be used as the drawstring for your bag.
• Stitch marker: To keep track of your rounds.
• Keyring clips and bag chain: For adding an optional chain strap to your bag.

Steps to Crochet a Drawstring Bag:

• Creating the base: Start by making a magic circle to form a tight centre with no hole. Then, work a series of single crochet (sc) stitches into the magic circle to create the base of your bag. The number of stitches will depend on your desired bag size.
• Working in rounds: Continue working in a spiral without joining to create the sides of the bag. This technique will give your bag a seamless look. If you're making a circular bag, you may need to increase stitches in the first few rounds to maintain flatness before working up to form the sides.
• Adding a drawstring closure: Once you've reached the desired height, crochet a round that allows for a drawstring to be threaded through. You can do this by crocheting chain spaces or using a stitch that creates holes.
• Creating the drawstring: Chain a length of yarn and thread it through the channel you created. You can add beads or charms to the ends of the drawstring for a decorative touch. Alternatively, you can use two lengths of cord or ribbon, weaving them through the eyelets in opposite directions and tying the ends together.
• Finishing touches: Embellish your bag with beads, charms, or embroidery to make it unique. Experiment with different types of yarn (cotton, wool, acrylic) to achieve varying looks and feels for your bag.

Tips:

• Keep your tension consistent throughout the project for a neat finish.
• Practice the stitches on a test swatch before starting your bag, especially if you're a beginner.
• You can adjust the number of stitches or rounds to change the size of your bag.
• Explore different crochet stitches like double crochet (dc) or the linen stitch for a more textured look.

Crocheting a heart granny square jewellery bag

A heart granny square jewellery bag is a fun and creative project to take on. You can follow a pattern to create a crocheted pouch to fill with precious jewels, potpourri, or anything else you fancy. This is a step-by-step guide to crocheting a heart granny square jewellery bag.

Firstly, you will need to gather your materials. For this project, you will require two different colours of medium weight #4 yarn, one for the heart and one for the square. You will also need a 5mm crochet hook, scissors, and a yarn needle.

To begin, you will create a magic ring with Colour A. Then, follow these steps:

Round 1: Chain 3, make all of the next stitches into the ring – 3 double crochet (DC), 3 half double crochet (HDC), Chain 1, DC (heart point), Chain 1, 3 HDC, 3 DC; Chain 3, slip stitch (Sl St) in the ring.

Round 2: Chain 3, HDC + DC in the first stitch (St), 3 DC in the next St, 2 DC in the next St, HDC in each of the next 3 Sts, HDC in Chain-1 space, HDC+DC+HDC in the next St (heart point), HDC in Chain-1 space, HDC in each of the next 3 Sts, 2 DC in the next St, 3 DC in the next St, DC + HDC in the next St, Chain 3, Sl St in the centre.

Round 3: Chain 3, HDC in the first St, 2 HDC in each of the next 5 Sts, HDC in each of the next 5 Sts, 2 HDC in each of the next 3 Sts, HDC in each of the next 5 Sts, 2 HDC in each of the next 5 Sts, HDC in the next St, Chain 3, Sl St in the centre.

Round 4: Drop Colour A, pick up Colour B and draw through the loop on the hook, Chain 4, single crochet (SC) in the first St, [Chain 3, skip 1, SC in the next St] 5 times, [Chain 4, skip 1, SC in the next St] 3 times, [Chain 3, skip 1, SC in the next St] 3 times, [Chain 4, skip 1, SC in the next St] 3 times, [Chain 3, skip 1, SC in the next St] 5 times – last time make SC in 1st Chain of Chain 3 at the end of the previous round, Chain 1, join with Sl St to 3rd Chain of Chain 4 at the beginning – 21 spaces.

Round 5: Chain 1, SC in the same place, Chain 2, SC in the next Chain-3 space, [Chain 3, SC in the next space] 6 times, Chain 4, SC in the next space, [Chain 3, SC in the next space] 4 times, Chain 4, SC in the next space, [Chain 3, SC in the next space] 6 times, Chain 2, join with Sl St to first SC – 20 spaces.

Round 6: Chain 1 (doesn't count as a St), 3 SC in the first space, 3 HDC in the next space, (2 DC, Chain 3, 2 DC) in the next space, [3 HDC in the next space, 3 SC in each of the next 2 spaces, 3 HDC in the next space, (2 DC, Chain 3, 2 DC) in the next space] 3 times, 3 HDC in the next space, 3 SC in the next space, join with Sl St to first SC – 64 Sts and 4 Chain-3 spaces.

Round 7: Chain 3 (counts as a St), DC in the next St and in each St across to 1st corner, (2 DC, Chain 3, 2 DC) in the corner Chain-3 space, [DC in each St across to the next corner, (2 DC, Chain 3, 2 DC) in the corner Chain-3 space] 3 times, DC in each St to the end of the round, join with Sl St to the top of Chain 3 at the beginning. Fasten off – 80 DC and 4 Chain-3 spaces.

Round 8: Join Colour A with Sl St in any corner Chain-3 space, Chain 1 (doesn't count as a St), [3 SC in Chain-3 space, SC in each St across to the next Chain-3 space] 4 times, join with Sl St to 1st SC. Fasten off – 92 SC.

Finally, block your granny square and your heart granny square jewellery bag is complete! You can add a cord or ribbon to the bag to wear it around your neck, or simply use it as a cute pouch to store your jewellery.

Sewing a jewellery bag with cording

Materials

To make a jewellery bag with cording, you will need the following materials:

• Fabric (quilting cotton is recommended for its durability and softness)
• Cording or ribbon (co: 3,5>satin cording is a popular choice)
• Scissors or a rotary cutter
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Iron
• Pins or sewing clips
• Pencil or fabric marker
• Plate or compass for tracing (optional)

Cutting the Fabric

Begin by cutting out your fabric pieces. You will need two large circles and two smaller circles. Using a plate or compass, trace the circles onto the fabric and cut them out. You can also use a pattern if you prefer. Cut a small slit in the centre of each circle to create an opening for turning the fabric right side out.

Sewing the Fabric

Place the right sides of the fabric together and pin them in place. Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew around the pinned circles, leaving a small gap for turning. Turn the fabric right side out and press the seams flat. Edgestitch around the circles to finish the edges.

Creating the Pockets

To create the pockets for your jewellery, mark the centre of each circle by folding them in half and creasing. Stack the circles on top of each other, with the pocket markings facing up. Stitch the small circle through all layers to create the pockets. You can divide the pockets into smaller sections if desired.

Adding the Cording

To add the cording, create two buttonholes on the outer large circle and trim them open. Using a safety pin or bodkin, feed the cording through the buttonholes, tying the ends together to secure them.

Finishing Touches

Pull on the cording to close the bag and adjust the length as needed. Knot the ends of the cording or add drawstring pulls to finish the bag. You can also add decorations or embellishments to personalise your jewellery bag.

Tips and Tricks

• It is recommended to use quilting cotton or similar fabric for its durability and softness.
• You can add interfacing or fusible fleece to the fabric for added structure and padding.
• Take your time when sewing the fabric pieces together, especially when working with curves.
• Pressing the seams with an iron can make edge stitching easier.

Frequently asked questions