Tutorial: Easy Drawstring Bag |

I’ve been wanting to make drawstring bags to use to package up some of my handmade goodies, but that whole drawstring thing seemed like it might be hard. It’s not, but pulling that string/ribbon through the sewn up tube is a pain. So I thought why not put the ribbon in before you sew it up? I don’t particularly like being frustrated, do you? (If so, stop reading now!) :) Anyway, here’s my version of a super easy drawstring bag:You need: one fabric rectangle (size varies based on what size bag you want); thread & needle or sewing machine; ribbon or cord for drawstring

Step 1: Cut a rectangle out of fabric. Size depends on what you are going to use the bag for. Mine is about 17 inches wide by 9 inches high. When you cut your fabric out, add two inches to the height and about a half inch to the width of your desired finished bag size to allow for seam allowances and the drawstring tube.

Step 2: One of the long sides is the top. Decide which that is and then with wrong side facing up, fold the top down about a 1/4 inch. Fold down again about an inch and press with an iron.

Steps 3 & 4: Take your piece of ribbon and lay it inside of the 1 inch fold (Step 3 photo) with about 4-5 inches of ribbon sticking out of both ends. (See Step 4 photo.)

Step 5: Stitch all the way across the folded down fabric at the top. *Make sure you don’t stitch your ribbon down. It should still be able to move inside the fabric tube you made by folding the top.* I stitched two lines all the way across for added durability.

Step 6: Fold bag in half with right sides facing each other. Now stitch up the bottom and unfolded side, STOPPING JUST BEFORE YOU REACH YOUR DRAWSTRING TUBE/CHANNEL.

Step 7: Turn bag right side out and “oooh!” and “aaah!” over your lovely new drawstring bag. I am going to finish mine off by stamping my hand carved “fun!” linoleum block in the bottom right corner.

I am irrationally pleased with my little bags!

I finished them off with block printing one of my hand carved stamps on them.