I am always looking for simple, easy and inexpensive storage ideas to keep my house organized. I love the Rubbermaid totes, but they are more for the basement storage - I need something that can be displayed! That is when I started making simple storage bags...I mainly use them for my kids toys, but they can be used for anything! And you can have fun making them - pick out some fabric that relates to what is inside, or something to match your room...they are personalized, inexpensive and easy to make (I promise...I am no sewing goddess but I was able to make these pretty painlessly!)

You will need:

• Sewing Machine
• Material (1/2 yard works for about pillowcase size bags)
• Thread
• Shoestring (~53" or something comparable)
• Iron
• Clear Fingernail polish (optional)

To start fold your fabric in half with the wrong-side out and then fold a 1-1/2 to 2 inch hem down at the top on both sides...iron the hem down to leave a crease.

Unfold the hem and sew up each side of the fabric (still wrong-side out) to form the sides of your bag.

Now fold the hem back down on both sides and you are ready to sew again...this is the "tube" that you will put the shoestring in, so make sure you sew around in the circle and not just straight across. Fold the hem down and then open the top of the bag and sew around the circle...hope that makes sense!!! 

The sewing is complete - yeah! Now turn your bag right-side out and check out your great work! One last step and you are done...cut a small slit in the tube at the top to insert the shoelace. To keep the material from fraying here I put a dab of clear fingernail polish around the cut. Then insert the shoestring (using a safety pin on the end of the shoestring makes feeding it thru a lot easier!), tie a knot with both ends of the string and you are done with your personal storage bag!!!

Have fun and be creative with your bags! I make them mostly for my son's toys...this one (with the cars and trucks pattern) is for his cars and trucks! I then have one for his balls, one for blocks, etc...all out of different material that shows what is inside! If you want an even simpler project - use pillowcases and all you have to do is sew the "tube" at the top and insert a shoestring!!!