How to Sew A Drawstring Bag In Minutes

This easy drawstring bag can be sewn in minutes!

handmade drawstring bag on wooden surface with an apple nearby

This easy to sew craft is very simple and perfect for beginners!

Drawstring bags are among the easiest beginner sewing projects. Be sure to see our easy drawstring backpack which uses a similar method.

three apples on a wooden table next to a black and white floral handmade drawstring bag

You might also like these zero waste sewing projects, too:

Reusable Bowl Covers
Reusable Muslin Tea Bags

How to Sew a Drawstring Bag

Supplies

⅓ yard Fabric (or two fat quarters)
Coordinating Thread
50 inches (127 cm) Ribbon or Cording – or two 25″ pieces
Straight Pins or Sewing Clips
Safety Pin or Bodkin

black and white floral fabric, rotary cutter, scissors, red thread, white ribbon, sewing pins on a green pincushion and a green cutting mat displayed on a wooden table

Instructions

Step 1

two rectangles of black and white floral fabric on a green cutting mat with a rotary cutter nearby

Cut fabric into two pieces measuring 10” x 13” each.

Step 2

two pieces of fabric with the top edges folded down a quarter inch are displayed on a wooden surface

Fold one of the 10” edges under ¼” and press. Repeat for the other piece of fabric.

sewing a narrow seam on black and white floral fabric using a sewing machine

Sew the edge in place on both pieces.

Step 3

two pieces of black and white floral fabric pinned together on a wooden table

Place fabric pieces with right sides together. Use pins or sewing clips to hold in place and make a mark 2” (5 cm) below the turned/hemmed edge on either side.

Step 4

A sewing machine is being used to sew a piece of fabric.

Beginning at one of the 13″ (33 cm) sides, start sewing at the 2″ mark, sewing down the side, across the bottom, and then up the other side to the 2″ mark.

A white and pink tea towel on a wooden floor.

Use a 3/8” seam allowance, being sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of stitching.

Step 5

A pair of white lace handkerchiefs on a wooden floor.

Turn the top 2” of the seam under ¼” then press all of the side seams open, including the turned under edge.

A close up of a piece of fabric with a pattern on it.

Turn under another ¼” and press. Repeat on other side.

Step 6

Beginning at top of side seam, sew down to the bottom of the split, sew across, and then sew up the other side.

Repeat on both sides, backstitching at beginning and end of stitching.

Step 7

A black and white coloring bag on a wooden floor.

Turn the top down 1” and press.

Sew the bottom of the turned edge. You can either stitch along the same line you stitched in Step 2, or make another line to the immediate top or bottom of that row of stitching to form a double stitch.

Step 8

A pair of scissors next to a piece of fabric.

Cut extra fabric off the bottom corners in a diagonal cut. Be sure not to cut through the stitches!

Turn the bag right side out and push out the corners with your fingers or a turning tool.

Step 9

Cut two lengths of ribbon 25” (63.5 cm) each. Fold one end under ¼” twice. Then insert a safety pin into the folded end. Leading with the safety pin, thread one ribbon through the casing.

Flip the bag over and continue threading the ribbon through the other side. Both ends of the ribbon should extend out of the casings on the same side.