the wandering sack
MATERIALS:
1/2 yard fabric
1/2 yard vinyl-coated cotton fabric
1 1/2 yard ribbon
coordinating thread
a nice long stick
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Measure a 6 1/2-inch diameter circle on both your regular fabric and the vinyl-coated cotton and cut.
2. Measure and cut two 13 1/2- by 12- inch pieces out of each fabric.
3. Along the top edge of your fabric (the 13 1/2-inch length), mark the center at 6 3/4-inches. Then measure out 2 1/2 inches to each side of the center and mark.
4. Measure 3 inches down from the top edge at the center mark. Draw a curved line connecting the three outer marks and cut through both pieces of fabric. Repeat with the vinyl-coated cotton.
5. With right sides facing, stitch together the 12-inch sides of the bag and press open seams. Repeat with the vinyl-coated cotton. (I skipped the ironing with the vinyl cotton.)
6. Fold the circle piece in half and iron. Fold it in half the other way and iron again.
7. Using the ironed creases as guides, pin the circle piece to the bottom of the bag, right sides together, matching creases and seams. Where there is no seam, place the crease against the center point between seams.
8. Form a double pleat between each of your four pinned points.
9. Sew the circle onto the bottom edge of the bag. Turn right side out.
10. Repeat this process with the vinyl-coated cotton. It’s not easy to work with, so take your time and accept imperfections!
11. With right sides together, stitch bag lining (vinyl-coated cotton) to outer bag along scooped out edges ONLY. Turn bag right side out.
12. Stitch together straight edges along top of bag.
13. Top-stitch scooped out edges along top of bag.
14. Measure and cut a single strip of the outer fabric, 26 inches long by 3 inches wide.
15. Fold strip of fabric in half lengthwise and press. Open it out again, then fold each long end toward the center and press. Fold the whole thing in half lengthwise and press. Mark the center of the length of fabric with fabric pencil or by pressing it again.
16. Fold in one short end of the bias. Aligning the raw edges, with right sides together, pin the bias to the top of the bag so the edge of the bias meets the seamline.
17. Align the center of the bias with the other seam.
18. Pin remainder of bias to bag top and stitch along seamline (use the crease in the bias as a guide).
19. Fold bias over raw edges and stitch close to edge to finish.
20. Attach a safety pin to one end of ribbon. Feed the ribbon through the bias.
21. Tie a knot in each end of the ribbon and when you’re ready to go wandering, just fill up your sack and feed the stick through the scooped out ends.
Please remember that this tutorial is offered for your personal enjoyment. Please do not sell any products made or inspired by this tutorial.
Posted in stitching
May 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
AWESOME!!!!! This is so pretty – and again you have provided a wonderfully detailed and clear tutorial. Abby is lying beside me in bed and she wants one! I’ll have to get busy! Thanks Sarah, you are so very talented. I bet Tevis has one!
May 29th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
What a cool sack! I am inspired by all your original ideas. High five!
June 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Such a wonderful idea …
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:11 am
What fun! My DD will love it.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
that is the coolest thing i’ve seen in a long time.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
This is great, I am a hobo clown of meager means, and I try DIY as much as possible!
June 4th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I want to make one, too!
June 5th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Very Cool! Great tutorial! This would be great for nature walks.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:21 am
[...] Sarah from the cottage at frog creek sent in her latest tutorial (you might remember the Gathering Apron?). This time you can make the wandering sack! [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 7:54 am
How sweet. It’s such a pretty bag and can be used for collecting pine cones and flowers or taking a picnic lunch to the park. Such a nice design.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:57 am
That is really cute!! great tutorial!
June 5th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
[...] Cottage at Frog Creek shows us how to make a fully-lined drawstring bag on a stick–perfect for taking along on hikes. (In hobo days, they called this a [...]
June 5th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I saw this featured on the Craft Magazine Blog! What a great project!
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/06/how_to_make_a_wandering_stick.html
June 6th, 2008 at 4:31 am
this is ADORABLE-what an inspired idea
June 7th, 2008 at 10:33 am
What an adorable bag! I can’t wait to try to make it. Thanks so much for the pattern.
Tammy
June 8th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Wonderful!! I like that so much.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:00 am
That is soo cute live it. Can see many hikers and park goer’s having these for there child.
wonderful thank you for sharing it with all of us.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I love this! I think each of my boys needs one of these. That is if I can get through the rest of my “to make” pile this summer.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Alright , that is the cutest sack ever!!!
June 10th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Hello!!! I just LOVE this! It is sooo cute! I also love your blog!
I found you by way of Homespun Living! 
Katy
June 11th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Oh this is fantastic!
Thanks so much for sharing it!
July 8th, 2008 at 10:36 am
thank you so much! i’ve been wanting to make one forever!
July 16th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Found you via I Have To Say. This is a neat project – I like the large handled loops – perfect for fitting in those sticks.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
wow! That is so precious….and just in time…..I’ve joined a new swap and need to make a ‘bag or bucket’ for stitchery.
Thank you!
July 17th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
This is a really cute bag. Good tutorial.
Laura
December 1st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
[...] Duffles Triangular Cosmetic Bag Putting a Zipper Pocket in a bag Hip Pockets Purse Fold Away Tote Wandering Sack Singlet Style Shopping bag Basket Bag Kids Easy Beach Bag Sleeper Bag Mini Duffel Bag Box Bag [...]
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
[...] Wandering Sack [...]
January 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I stumbled onto your blog ~ this bag is very cool! I already know what material I’m going to use….
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
[...] Wandering Sack [...]
December 5th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
[...] Wandering Sack [...]