DIY Easy Drawstring Bag

Learn to Sew a Drawstring Bag.  How to make a simple drawstring bag. Free Tutorial.

 

MATERIALS
■    Fabric A (white exterior) one (1) fat quarter
■    Fabric B (teal exterior) one (1) fat quarter
■    Lining fabric: two (2) fat quarters or 1/2yd of one fabric
■    Cord: 3 1/2yds

FINISHED SIZE
■    17in x 14in

NOTES
■    Seam allowances are 1/4in, unless otherwise noted
■    Press seams to one side
■    RST = right sides together
■    WST = wrong sides together

CUTTING OUT
1. From Fabric A cut: One (1) 20in x 15in.
2. From Fabric B cut: One (1) 20in x 15in. Two (2) 3in squares.
3. From the lining fabric cut: Two (2) 18in x 15in.

MAKING THE TABS
4. Fold a 3in square in half, wrong sides together, and stitch down the length. Turn right side out and press. Fold the tab in half with the two raw ends together.
5. Place the tab on one Fabric A side edge, 3/4in from the bottom short edge, matching the raw edges. Baste in place (Fig A).
6. Repeat this to make the other tab in the same way and baste it to the opposite side of the Fabric A piece. 

MAKING THE OUTER
7. Place the Fabric A piece with attached tabs RST with the matching Fabric B piece. Make sure the tabs are at the sides, towards the bottom, and pin the two pieces together. Measure and mark 2 1/4in from the top at each side. Make another mark 1 in below the first mark on each side.

8. Sew around the sides and bottom, leaving a gap between the two marks you made at each side. Backstitch a few stitches at each end of the openings.

9. Turn the bag right side out, pressing the seams open at the sides. Topstitch around each of your gaps 1/8in from the opening to secure the seam allowance and strengthen the opening (Fig B).

10. Turn the bag wrong side out. Press 1/2 in to the wrong side around the top edge.

ADDING THE LINING
11. Place the two lining pieces RST and stitch along the sides and bottom. Turn right side out and press. Place the bag inside the lining, WST. Fold the top edge of the bag down 1 1/2 in so it covers the raw edge of the lining, and press. Stitch close to the folded edge, creating a casing (Fig C).

ATTACHING THE DRAWSTRING 12. Turn the bag right side out so the lining is pushed neatly inside. Cut the cord in half then thread one half through one tab at the bottom, through the gap in the casing on the same side, around the top and back out again. Tie the ends together, forming a loop. 13. Repeat with the remaining cord on the other side to finish the bag.