How To Make A Drawstring Bag

These little fabric drawstring bags are so quick to make and handy to have around! This is a great beginner friendly sewing project and uses very little fabric – great for scrap busting! These simple drawstring bags are easily customizable and can be used for organizing small things, jewelry bags or gift bags. In this tutorial I show you step-by-step how to make a drawstring bag for whatever you have in mind to put in it!

I made the three green striped linen bags to use as gift bags for teacher gifts at the end of the year and worked perfectly as an alternative to wrapping paper (also I didn’t have any :)). I then made 3 more small ones using scrap fabric and they turned out so cute!

If you are looking for more scrap busting sewing projects, check out my other tutorials to make a scrunchie, zipper pouch, needle book or these cute fabric alphabet letters!

Let’s get started on a drawstring bag!

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Some Things You’ll Need

• Fabric of your choice
• Coordinating thread
• Drawstring, ribbon, yarn, bias tape, etc – I’m using 3/8″ grosgrain ribbon from Wawak
• Fabric scissors
• Pins
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Safety pin or loop turner

You’ll see that I’m using a serger to finish the raw seams on the inside of the bag and while a serger isn’t necessary for this tutorial it does make the inside seams neater. You can also finish the seams with a zigzag stitch if you don’t have a serger.

In my example I’m using a striped mid weight linen from The Linen Lab which has a really lovely feel and good structure. It’s a great weight for my Homebody Apron and feels like it will hold up great to a lot of wear. I’ve also used it for a Lakeview Tote with a recessed zipper hack and it makes a perfect slouchy beach bag. You can use the code ‘bethanylynne_makes’ for 10% off your order from The Linen Lab.

Step 1: Cut Out Bag Panels

First you want to figure out how big you want your drawstring bag to be – it can be any size you need! For the larger bags in my example, I cut the panels 10.5″ (26.6 cm) x 7″ (17.8 cm) and the smaller bags 5″ (12.7cm) x 7″ (17.8 cm)

Then plan your seam allowance for the sides and bottom seam and for the drawstring casing at the top. I used a 3/8″ (1 cm) seam allowance for the sides and bottom. I planned to fold the top down 1/4″ (0.6cm) and then 1/2″ (1.3 cm) to make the drawstring casing so I added 3/4″ (1.9 cm) to the top.

Step 2: Finish Two Side Seams

Designate what side will be the the side where the drawstring opening is and finish one side on each of the panels separately, making sure to finish the corresponding sides. You could also finish all 3 sides separately on each panel now if you wanted – it just means more finishing up front.

I am just showing one opening in my example, but you could also have an opening on both sides for a double pull drawstring.

Step 3: Press Top Casing Edge

Figure out how much you want to fold down the top to make the drawstring casing and pre-press the top edge. The depends on the size of drawstring or ribbon you’re using and you’ll need to make sure there’s enough room in the casing for the drawstring to easily move.

At the top I pressed 1/4″ (0/6 cm) and 1/2″ (1.3 cm). Then, on one side (or both if you want two openings in the casing), mark where the bottom of the casing sits – this is where you will start sewing.

Step 4: Sew Panels Together

With right sides together, pin the two panels together along 3 sides leaving the top open. If you finished one side of the panels, make sure those sides are together.

Sew 3 sides of the bag panels together with a 3/8″ (1 cm) seam allowance, making sure to start at the mark you made and backstitch well.

If you haven’t already, finish the other two sides of the bag panels together.

Step 5: Sew Drawstring Casing

At the side where the drawstring opening will be, fold in the seam allowances to the wrong side and press.

Then press the top edge down the desired amount for the drawstring casing and pin in place. You should have a small opening at the side for the drawstring to be threaded though (see photo below).

Sew along close to the folded edge of the casing, backstitching at the beginning and end.

Your drawstring bag is almost done!

Step 6: Insert Drawstring Into Casing

Turn the bag right side out, poke out the corners and give the everything a press.

Attach a safety pin to one end of the drawstring and walk it through to the other side. (You could also use a loop turner here if you want.)

Cut drawstring and tie the ends together in an overhand knot. Tip: If using ribbon, cut the ends at angle – this prevents the ribbon from unraveling (you can also run a lit match along the edge to melt the fibers if using polyester ribbon).

And your drawstring bag is finished!

Hope you enjoyed this quick project and would love to know if you try it! Thanks for reading and happy sewing! 🙂