Travel Laundry Bag

I like to organize my stuff into different bags when I travel: socks, underwear and shoes all get their separate bags. I suspect I´m not the only one, so I decided to make some pretty bags as gifts.

These are the materials I used:
2 pieces of light fabric, 10" x 16 "
34" strip of fabric for the drawstring
scraps of fabric for the applique
scraps of trim
matching thread
scraps of Steam-A-Seam

I started by ironing the Steam-A-Seam to the applique fabric and drawing the shapes I wanted to use. After cutting them out and peeling off the paper backing, I ironed the pieces to my main fabric and stitched around them on - this is the "applique" stitch from my Brother but a small zigzag stitch actually worked better.

The ruffle is just some bunched-up lace trimming that I added to the applique (conveniently hiding some of the less neat seams while adding a super girly touch).

Two buttonholes are the openings for the drawstring that I made by folding both long sides of the strip of fabric to the center, then folding the long sides together. A wide zigzag holds the casing for the drawstring in place.

Of course these would make pretty giftbags for almost any gift as well, or could be made to hold and organize all sorts of equipment - and they can be made in less than an hour!