Geeks rejoice! The treasured dice of every true gamer can now have a slick new bag with this easy tutorial! Not a gamer? Don't fret! This is basically a quick and easy way to make a flat-bottomed drawstring bag -- a perfect way to store everything from jewelry to toys and trinkets. Awesome embroidery makes it all the better.
Supplies
To make your dice bag, you'll need:
- Your favorite FantastiCute design, or other favorite embroidery designs (We used the design that fits a 4 x 4 inch hoop)
- One fat quarter of outer fabric
- One fat quarter of lining fabric
- Medium weight cutaway stabilizer
- Temporary spray adhesive
- Cord of your choosing (should be about 4 times the width of your dice bag -- in this case about 24 inches long).
- Pins and scissors
- Ruler/measuring tape
- Scrap paper
- Rotary cutter and mat (optional)
Designs Used
To begin, cut a rectangle of your fabric and lining 13 x 8 inches. You'll also want to cut two 5 x 1.5 inch strips of outer fabric.
First, the fun part! Embroider your 4 x 4" design in the center of your outer fabric, using medium weight cutaway stabilizer adhered to the back of your fabric with temporary spray adhesive. Make sure to leave a little extra room at the top of your fabric for your drawstring. If you put the design up too high, your design will get scrunched when you close the bag.
Once the embroidery is done, trim away the excess stabilizer, then fold both your lining and your outer fabric right side in, with the raw edges touching. Sew a 0.25 inch seam away from the edge of each one.
Next, we're going to use some quick math to create a circle template for the bottom of the bag. Don't worry, it's easy! If you're making a bag the same size as mine, you can just use my measurements exactly, but if you want to modify the size of your bag at all, here's how to get there...
Measure the length of fabric (13 inches), minus the 0.25 inch seam allowance on both sides, which equals 12.5 inches. Then divide your length by 3.14, which in this case equals 3.98 inches. I have rounded that up to 4 inches. Finally, we're going to add a 0.25 inch seam allowance around my circle. So I want a circle with a 4.5 inch diameter. Dividing that in half gives me a 2.25 inch radius.
So basically, we're going to draw ourselves a circle template with a 2.25 inch radius.
I marked a center point on my scrap paper and measured 2.25 inches out in vertical and horizontal directions. Then I freehanded the circle (or you can use a compass to complete the circle shape.)
Once you have your circle template, use it to cut one circle of outer fabric and lining fabric, like so.
Now, using lots of pins, attach the circle to the bottom of your embroidered outer fabric piece, right side in.
Slowly and carefully, stitch a 0.25 inch seam allowance around the circle to secure it in place. Because you have an accurate measurement, the seam will be smooth.
Now, do the same with the bottom edge of your lining fabric, but DON'T sew around the entire circle. Leave a gap which you will use to turn your bag outside-in and hide the seams.
Once you have the two pieces ready, place the outer fabric pouch inside the lining fabric, right sides together. Pin the top edge and sew a 0.5 inch seam allowance around the top.
Turn the bag right side out, and hand stitch the inner lining closed. Then push your lining into your bag.
To finish, fold the top edge down and in about 0.5 inch and pin it in place.
Sew a 0.25 inch seam around the top to give it a finished edge.
Now we just need to add our drawstring sections! Remember those extra rectangle pieces you cut earlier? Grab each one and fold in the raw edge on the short side of each about 0.25 inches. Sew a seam 0.25 inches along those sides to have a finished edge.
Next, fold under 0.50 inch of the top and bottom of your small strips and pin them onto the front and back of your bag near the top. Stitch them into place, sewing along just the top and bottom edge. Leave the sides open for your drawstring.
With both drawstring runs in place, take your cord and cut into two pieces. Work the drawstring in through one end of the front casing, and then around through the back side, repeat with the second piece, starting on the other side of your bag.
Fill up with dice or other goodies, and cinch it tight -- your dice bag is ready to go! For easy access to your dice during your game, un-cinch it and roll down the sides.
Your slick embroidery and no doubt magical-looking dice are sure to get you major geek cred at your next event, not to mention major craft points for making it yourself!
