I make simple drawstring bags out of a variety of materials, most of which are recycled or from garage sales, and find them useful for a plethora of purposes. Using a dense material, like a heavy cotton twill.
One of the three basic textile weaves (see weaving), distinguished by diagonal lines. In the simplest twill, the weft crosses over two warp yarns, then under one, the sequence being repeated in each succeeding shot (row), but stepped over, one warp either to the , you can make a bag about 18 inches tall by 12 inches wide. Set a plastic bag inside and fill it with sand. (Make sure the drawstring is also heavy duty.)
Once it is tied off you can use it for weighting the corner posts of tents and sunshades, or holding down tarps in a high wind. If a tripod is not available and you need to steady a camera for a slow shutter speed In a still camera, the length of time that the shutter is open, exposing the film (analog) or CCD or CMOS sensor (digital) to light for a single image. In a camcorder, the shutter speed is the frame speed; for example, 24, 30 or 60 frames per second (fps). See exposure and shutter lag. , the flexibility of the bag is such that the camera can be nestled firmly in place atop a car or a rock.
Other drawstring bags can be quickly made out of prettier materials, then using a ribbon as the tie, you have unique and recyclable gift bags! I buy up post holiday materials that are on sale to make these and everyone likes them. The beauty is that you can make them any size, and if you need to wrap something quickly, just reach in a drawer and get one, plop the gift in, tie it off and you're ready!
