Sewing Tips for a Complete Novice?
I am going to try to sew myself a dice bag later today with my mom. I want to eventually sew my own clothes and doll clothes. My mom is a little rusty, so I don’t know how much she will be able to explain to me, but she used to make all of our clothes when we were younger. I have sewn christmas stockings in the past, but they were all pretty horrible.
Mostly I need your insight on any beginner mistakes so I can try to avoid them. I’d also be interested in free patterns for plus size women or over the shoulder bags.
The most burning question I have is how to make the drawstring for my bag. I won’t be using a pattern since it’s basically two rectangles sewn together, so I’m unsure of how to do it.
Thanks for the help!
Thanks a lot everyone 
It turns out we didn’t get to sew because our dog got sick, but I will be sure to follow your well thought out advice.
I will try to answer your burning question: After you have sewed the 2 rectangles together, keeping the bag wrong side out, take the top and fold it down 1/4 inch and iron it. Then fold it again 1/2 inch (with the 1/4 inch inside) and iron. Then sew right along the edge of the 1/2 inch side. Leave an opening of about 1/4 inch……do not sew the i/2 inch side all the way across. You have created a “sleeve” for the drawstring. Now all you have to do is pick the type of string you want. It could be a shoestring, ribbon, cording, etc. Take the end of the string you choose and attach a safety pin. Insert the safety into the opening and start pushing and pulling the pin through the “sleeve”. When you get the pin through, pull the rest of the string through leaving enough for the length you need to tie it, unhook the pin, tie knots in the ends of the string (so it won’t come out of the “sleeve”) turn everything right side out and you are done. You will do a great job. Good luck!
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