How to sew a drawstring bag- tutorial

Drawstring bag tutorial

I needed a BIG drawstring bag and wanted to sew it quickly so I remembered this technique and thought to take some pictures to share with you. There are other ways to sew drawstrings bags, I found this one is the easiest and quickest one.

These drawstrings bags are useful, I needed a few for the small children in our family that started kindergarten a few days ago.

I made a few in different sizes, here is the biggest one.

Drawstring bag tutorial
It measures 14 1/2” x 16” x 4”.

How pretty it is with sides in different fabrics.

Drawstring bag tutorialThe boxed bottom makes it so spacious.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Here is what you need.

  • 2 panels for the exterior bag and two panels for lining – all having the same size.
    I made a really big bag and my panels measure 16” x 19”. You can make them any size you need.I quilted the outside panels on fusible fleece. You can use batting or other interfacing. Do not use something too stiff.
    If you use a home decor fabric, you don’t need batting or interfacing.
  • Two strips of fabric for casing -2 1/2” wide and as long as the width of your bag; my strips measure 2 1/2” x 16”.
  • Ribbon, cord, or twill tape for strings: 2 pieces, each one a little longer than 2 x width of the bag.

Drawstring bag tutorialHem the short edges of the casing strips as shown; then press the strips in half lengthwise.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Center the casing along the top edge of the exterior panel; keep all the raw edges aligned. Sew at 1/4” from the top edge.

Drawstring bag tutorial

If you want to make a boxed bottom to your bag, cut out squares from the bottom corners of all the pieces –  exterior bag and lining. I cut 2” squares.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Place the two panel of the exterior bag right side together, keeping all the raw edges aligned. Sew along the right, bottom, and left edges using a 3/8” seam allowance. Double these seams.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Close the bottom corners, aligning the raw edges and matching the side and bottom seams.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Sew at 3/8” from the edges.

Drawstring bag tutorialRepeat these steps and sew the lining, but leave a gap in the bottom seam.
Press all the seams.

Drawstring bag tutorialPlace the exterior bag into the lining – right sides together.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Align the top edges, pin and sew at 3/8” from the edge.

Drawstring bag tutorialTurn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Push the lining inside the exterior bag.
Topstitch along the top edge, at 1/4” from the edge.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Using a safety pin, pull one of the strings through both casings (see the yellow arrows) and tie the ends. Repeat with the other string but this time, start at the opposite side of the bag (see the blue arrows); in this way, you will end up with knots on both sides of the bag. When you want to close the bag, just pull the knotted ends in opposite directions.

Wasn’t it easy?

Drawstring bag tutorial

Of course, the age doesn’t matter: any little girl needs some pouches.
I used my Little Wonders pattern; it is so versatile, you learn the easy technique and then you will be able to sew pouches in ANY size you want. Plus – insert the zipper without tabs!

Drawstring bag tutorial

Drawstring bag tutorial

Drawstring bag tutorial

Drawstring bag tutorialAnd two pouches for the MOM!

Drawstring bag tutorial

I hope you like my little pretty things; it took me one day, but I quilted everything!

Happy sewing!

Do you need inspiration for new bags?
Check out my BAG PATTERNS here. 


If you find this tutorial useful, please
PIN IT for later reference.

Drawstring bag tutorial

Similar Posts

15 Comments

  1. Great tutorial! Beautiful fabric and fabric combinations – whether it’s a bag or quilt – make all the difference. Thanks for sharing these instructions and pictures.

  2. Such precise instructions and wonderful presentation of this lovely bag. I’ll be making this bag in various sizes.

    Thank you Geta for sharing your expertise.

  3. Beautiful fabric and sewing. And you were right about the tired brain and letting the pictures do the talking. (I used my own words as I am too tired to go back and quote you directly. hahaa). I might just have to go make a tote or two!

  4. Great job with the photographs! Together with your clear instructions, it was immediately comprehensible. Lovely fabric choices too!

  5. Thank you very much to teach us lovly bag.your instruction are simple easy to follow the pattern.your colour combination is amazing.
    Kamal from kenya Mombasa

  6. I plan on making this beautiful drawstring bag. I thought my granddaughters could use it to pack pajammas or extra clothes for overnight. I’m thinking about using ribbon instead of the string for the ties. I bought the little wonders pattern because of this tutorial. I haven’t made the bag yet but I did make the pouch out of a fat quarter. I liked it soo well that I kept it for myself. I did straight line quilting with fusible fleece and my pouch is absolutely beautiful. It is a generous size so I put my sewing measuring tools and fabric markers and pens in it. It’s keeping me organized!

  7. Great tutorial! Your step-by-step instructions on how to sew a drawstring bag are clear and easy to follow. I can’t wait to try this project myself. Thanks for sharing such a helpful guide!

  8. This drawstring bag tutorial is incredibly helpful! The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it perfect for beginners. I love how versatile this project is—great for gift bags, storage, and more. Can’t wait to try this out myself!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *