How to sew a 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.
How pretty it is with sides in different fabrics.
The boxed bottom makes it so spacious.
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.
Hem the short edges of the casing strips as shown; then press the strips in half lengthwise.
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.
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.
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.
Close the bottom corners, aligning the raw edges and matching the side and bottom seams.
Sew at 3/8” from the edges.
Repeat these steps and sew the lining, but leave a gap in the bottom seam.
Press all the seams.
Place the exterior bag into the lining – right sides together.
Align the top edges, pin and sew at 3/8” from the edge.
Turn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining.
Push the lining inside the exterior bag.
Topstitch along the top edge, at 1/4” from the edge.
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?
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!
And two pouches for the MOM!
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.
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Your instructions are so clear. Your color choices are so fun! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful bags, beautiful fabrics and such clear instructions.
Thank you.
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.
Another beautiful project! Your eye for detail, fabric contrasts etc. are always so perfect. Thank you for sharing.
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.
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!
Thanks so much, Geta, for another lovely project idea and useful tutorial!
Great job with the photographs! Together with your clear instructions, it was immediately comprehensible. Lovely fabric choices too!
Thanks for all the lovely comments; I am so glad you find this tutorial helpful.
Great post, the design is really looking nice.
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
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!
Thanks so much, Geta, for another lovely project idea and useful tutorial!
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!
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!