Craft: DIY non-plastic drawstring toggles

September 29, 2023 8:27 PM

I have been sewing and embroidering drawstring bags and want to figure out how to secure them with the same efficiency of a plastic toggle with a spring, but without using plastic. Happy to buy a replacement product, even happier to learn how to make my own. And yes, I can tie a knot but those tighten over time - unless you have an awesome boat knot that would work? Crafty mefites help me get my dream of putting everything in my house in an embroidered bag.
posted by dorothyisunderwood to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (11 answers total)

You can get wooden toggles that slide down similarly, but instead of gripping with a spring, you tie the strings in a bow to hold it in place. I have also used a metal hair clip (the sproingy kind that you bend back and forth) as a bookmark to hold the strings when a toggle broke but it's not the most elegant solution.

I can't seem to find spring-loaded non-plastic toggles either, and I thought that would totally be a thing!
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:43 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

Actually, I spoke too soon. Here's a metal toggle example.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:45 PM on September 29, 2023 [1 favorite]

They're fixed-length, but you'll like the kohaze & seme kohaze Japanese armor toggle. (Drag the inset image left for close-ups.)

DIY in wood and so on looks straightforward.

There's a good diagram showing their application in one of the author's notes in this manga.
posted by sebastienbailard at 9:39 PM on September 29, 2023

Are you using one loop of cord, or two (coming out opposite ends of the top of the bag)? If you use two, you can just pull them tight and they just stay closed.
posted by Sar at 9:53 PM on September 29, 2023 [3 favorites]

A carrick bend is an easy to untie method of joining two ropes even if the knot has been heavily loaded. It is a bit awkward to tie though.
posted by Mitheral at 1:02 AM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]

I feel an obligation to offer a sailor's knot of some sort, but the best I can do is a slipped overhand knot. Sailmakers might use it to tie up a folded sail, but they would be using a flat strap, not a cord.

Paracord sliding knot bracelets seem to be a thing. Perhaps that sliding knot could be adapted for your situation.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:20 AM on September 30, 2023

You can make a wooden toggle, drill 2 holes, and use it to secure the line.
I use a slip knot; if you make it in the correct direction, you get a sturdy loop that can be used as a handle or to hang the bag, that unties in a second. I have no idea what this use would be called, so I can't offer a video.
posted by theora55 at 7:27 AM on September 30, 2023 [1 favorite]

You could possibly use one or two slip knots used on necklaces.
posted by oceano at 11:25 AM on September 30, 2023

The trick to having a drawstring bag stay closed is by using two drawstrings. It keeps the bags shut and if you want extra closure it makes tying a bow easy.

This tutorial shows how to do it.
posted by ljesse at 4:00 PM on September 30, 2023

Response by poster: Just to note I do use two strings but still need to tie them - left alone, they relax and open up. I prefer the security of a toggle or some kind of fastening, and am most interested in non-industrial ways to fasten things now.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:47 PM on September 30, 2023 [2 favorites]

Just a thought, if you did want a bag that stays closed with just two drawstrings, you might want to make your channel for the cord a bit smaller, and use less slippy fabrics / cords, e.g. cotton fabric and cotton cords.
posted by Sar at 4:58 PM on October 3, 2023 [1 favorite]