ORGANIC MUSLIN BAG
Do you have any dreams or goals that you’ve always wanted to pursue but feel you either don’t have the time or have deemed them unrealistic at this time in your life? That is honestly how I felt about learning to sew. I remember taking a sewing class back in grade school and for some reason I just could not grasp the concept of it. I ended up getting one of my friends to sew my final project for the class (a tote bag) to avoid failing. The whole experience scarred my 11-year old self, so my brain labeled “learning how to sew” as an impractical aspiration.
It was not until entering my third decade of life that I decided I was going to overcome my fear of the dreadful sewing machine and signed myself up for an Introduction to Sewing course. I thought I might be the oldest student in the classroom amongst some young crafty kids, but was surprised to have classmates in their 40’s and 50’s who were in the same boat as me - just wanting to learn a new skill.
I had a wonderful teacher who reframed my mindset to embrace the art of sewing rather than fearing it. Following the completion of the class, I walked out the door with my head held high as the proud new owner of a beginner sewing machine. I now find myself sewing nearly every week and have really cherished the beauty in making. It is an incredible process to start with a piece of fabric and with a little bit of time and thread, create something that can be used in your home or life, or given as a gift.
One of the first projects I tackled after purchasing my sewing machine was creating a muslin bag with organic cotton fabric. I was quite shocked at how easy it was from start to finish, so I wanted to share this DIY with you. Muslin bags can be used for so many things, too. If you utilize a soap nuts for laundry, a muslin bag can act as a pouch to hold the soap nuts in your washing machine. If you enjoy bath teas, a muslin bag is a great way to soak away, mess-free. Muslin bags also make gorgeous eco-friendly gift bags. Feel free to adjust the measurements for a larger finished bag.
And finally, if you are new to sewing, do not be intimidated - you’ve totally got this!
ORGANIC COTTON MUSLIN
There are many fabric options to select from in the sewing world. I find that I frequently use cotton muslin due to its affordability and versatility. Muslin fabric is a great option when creating drawstring bags like we are going to do in this DIY.
I prefer to use an undyed, 100% organic cotton muslin along with a 100% organic cotton thread. Cotton is considered one of the dirtiest crops in the world due to its intensive use of pesticides, so I really try to use organic cotton when available.
ORGANIC HEMP TWINE
Organic hemp twine is a perfect material to use to create a drawstring for the muslin bag. It is thin enough to travel through the fabric tunnel, but also strong enough to withstand several uses.
Note: You will need a sewing machine, sewing pins, and an iron for this DIY organic muslin bag.
HOW TO CREATE AN ORGANIC MUSLIN BAG
I recommend pre-washing your fabric with a natural laundry detergent before beginning your sewing project. After washing and ironing your organic selection, cut the fabric.
Measure out the fabric using a ruler. To cut, use sewing shears or a rotary cutter specifically for fabric. Always exercise caution with sharp objects. Cut a piece of fabric measuring 10” long x 5” wide.
Once you have your fabric cut, fold the right sides together on the 10” long side, so your fabric will now measure 5” x 5”. Press flat with a hot iron on the crease where you fabric has been folded, this is considered the bottom of the bag. Using a ruler, with one side of the fabric, measure 3/4” down from the top and fold the fabric across the top 3/4” towards the bottom of the bag, press flat with a hot iron. Turn the fabric over and repeat this step to the other side of the fabric. Once sewed, this fabric lip will be the tunnel where the drawstrings will go.
Using a sewing machine and straight stitch foot, start directly below the top 3/4” lip or tunnel and sew down towards the bottom of the bag with a 1/4” seam allowance. Add a backstitch at the beginning to secure the stitch. When you arrive at the bottom, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
Repeat this on the other side; start directly below the top 3/4” lip or tunnel and sew down towards the bottom of the bag with a 1/4” seam allowance. Add a backstitch at the beginning to secure the stitch. When you arrive at the bottom of the fabric, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
After you have stitched both sides, cut the bottom corners diagonally and iron the seams flat. This gives a nice polished look. I also suggest re-ironing the 3/4” top lip of fabric. It makes it easier when you are sewing the tunnels to finish the bag.
Using a sewing machine and straight stitch foot, sew the top lip, or tunnel, in a horizontal fashion. You will want to leave a space for the drawstring. Add a backstitch at the beginning to secure the stitch. When you come to the other side of the tunnel, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
Repeat this on the other side; sew the top lip, or tunnel, in a horizontal fashion. You will want to leave a space for the drawstring. Add a backstitch at the beginning to secure the stitch. When you come to the other side of the tunnel, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
Turn your fabric right side out - I find using chop sticks really helps to poke out the corners.
Measure two strings of organic hemp twine to 15” and cut. Insert one of the springs through a bobby pin or safety pin and tie a knot. Then thread the hemp twine through one tunnel. When you arrive at the end of the first tunnel, insert the twine into the second tunnel, and thread it through. Once you get to the end of the second tunnel, tie a knot to secure the string together. Repeat this step threading the hemp twine on the other side of the tunnel. When you arrive at the end of the first tunnel, insert the twine into the second tunnel, and thread it through. Once you get to the end of the second tunnel, tie a knot to secure the string together.
You now have two knots, one on each side of the bag, creating a drawstring closure.
DIY ORGANIC MUSLIN BAG
Materials
organic fabric
organic cotton thread
organic hemp twine
sewing shears or rotary cutter
ruler
safety pin
iron
sewing machine
Instructions
After pre-washing and ironing your fabric, cut one piece of fabric measuring 10“ long by 5“ wide.
Fold the right sides together on the 10” long side, so your fabric will now measure 5” x 5”. Press flat with a hot iron on the crease where you fabric has been folded, this is considered the bottom of the bag.
Using a ruler, with one side of the fabric, measure 3/4” down from the top and fold the fabric across the top 3/4” towards the bottom of the bag, press flat with a hot iron.
Turn the fabric over and repeat this step to the other side of the fabric. Once sewed, this fabric lip will be the tunnel where the drawstrings will go.
Using a sewing machine and straight stitch foot, start directly below the top 3/4” lip or tunnel and sew down towards the bottom of the bag with a 1/4” seam allowance. Add a backstitch at the beginning to secure the stitch.
When you arrive at the bottom, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
Repeat this on the other side; start directly below the top 3/4” lip or tunnel and sew down towards the bottom of the bag with a 1/4” seam allowance. Add a backstitch at the beginning to secure the stitch.
When you arrive at the bottom, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
After stitching both sides, cut the bottom corners diagonally and iron the seams flat.
Using a sewing machine and straight stitch foot, sew the top lip in a horizontal fashion, leaving a space for the drawstring. Add a backstitch at the beginning to secure the stitch.
When you come to the other side of the tunnel, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
Repeat this on the other side; sew the top lip, or tunnel, in a horizontal fashion.
When you come to the other side of the tunnel, backstitch again, lift up the needle and presser foot, and cut the connecting threads.
Turn your fabric right side out.
Measure two strings of hemp twine to 15” and cut.
Insert the string through a bobby pin or safety pin and tie a knot. Then thread the hemp twine through one tunnel.
When you arrive at the end of the first tunnel, insert the twine into the second tunnel, and thread it through.
Once you get to the end of the second tunnel, tie a knot to secure the string together.
Repeat this step threading the hemp twine on the other side of the tunnel starting at the opposing side.
Once you get to the end of the second tunnel, tie a knot to secure the string together. You will now have two knots, one on each side of the bag.
How To Use
A gorgeous organic muslin bag can be used for bath teas, natural soap nuts detergent, or anything else that might suit your fancy. They also make lovely little pouches for gift-giving.
