If you’re looking for a functional and stylish way to transport small items, look no further than the DIY drawstring bag. It sews up quick thanks to this free drawstring bag pattern, and only uses 1 yard of fabric. We can’t stop making them in our Lightweight Cotton Twill! Check out the video tutorial below or jump ahead to the text and photo version if that’s more your speed.
Materials Needed
- 1 yard of Spoonflower’s Lightweight Cotton Twill
- We’re using Fernery Block Print Style by pinky_wittingslow
- 4 yards of drawstring (½” or less in diameter)
- Spoonflower’s free drawstring bag pattern
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Safety pin
Step 1. Cut out the pattern pieces
Begin by printing out Spoonflower’s drawstring bag pattern and taping together the pattern.
Next, cut out your fabric using the pattern. There should be 2 exterior bag pieces cut on the fold and two loop squares.
Finish the raw edges of your exterior bag pieces in your preferred fashion. A zig-zag stitch will do the trick!
Step 2. Assemble the loop squares
Take your two loop squares and fold them in half to create a crease down the center.
Unfold and press both top and bottom edges in toward the center crease, wrong sides touching. Fold in half again, matching up the folded edges, right sides touching.
Stitch the folded edges together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Set aside.
Step 3. Sew the bag together
Take your two exterior bag pieces and make a small mark on the left and right sides 1 ½” down from the top edge of your bag.
Press a ¼” hem on the left and right edges. This hem is short in length, and should only measure from the top of your bag to the mark you made 1 ½” down from the top edge.
With right sides together, match up your exterior bag pieces. Fold your sewn loop squares in half (matching the raw edges) and with raw edges aligned, sandwich your two loops between your exterior pieces 3” from the bottom of your bag. Stitch the bag together beginning and ending at the top 1 ½” marks you initially made, making sure to catch the loop you’ve inserted.
Fold the top edge of the bag down on both sides, matching up the folded edge with the 1 ½” marks to create the casing for your drawstring. Press and pin into place and sew along the folded edge of the casing with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Once your casing is stitched in place, use a seam ripper or scissors to cut open the side seams of your bag from the top folded edge to the casing stitch line.
Step 4. Finish the bag
Cut your drawstring into two 2 yard lengths. Using a large safety pin attached to one end of a 2 yard drawstring length, feed the string through one side of the casing and then out the opposite casing. Repeat the same steps for the next drawstring, but enter through the opposite side of your first drawstring.
Thread one end of your drawstring through one of the side loops at the bottom of your bag and tie both edges of the string together with an overhand knot. Repeat on the other side. You should have two backpack straps that cinch the bag’s top closed when pulled!
A drawstring bag not only makes the perfect accessory, it also makes for a completely customizable gift! Sew one up for your favorite athlete in a fabric matching their sport of choice from the Spoonflower Design Library.
Want to make more versions of a drawstring bag?
Cut-and-Sew Easter Treat Bag
Make a small Easter drawstring bag using this cut-and-sew design by cynthiafrenette.
Violin Case Bag
Use Spoonflower’s Satin fabric to sew up a violin bag. It adds another layer of protection in addition to your violin case. Slipping a satin or silk bag between the instrument and the case prevents scratches, dust and protects from weather fluctuations (changes in temperature and humidity).
Whichever bag you stitch up, be sure to share it with your world and ours by tagging @spoonflower on your social media!
I will be using clothesline rope for the cording much cheaper and will last longer.
Great idea, Robbie!
Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
Where does one find thick tubular cord like the kind you use in this tutorial?
Hi Sherry!
I’d check a craft store, Etsy or Amazon to find a thick cord for this project.
Best,
Betsy
Spoonflower
I was confused by this instruction: “Press a ¼” hem on each side from the top of your bag to the mark you made 1 ½” down from the edge.” I thought it meant to press the 1/4” on the side seam from the top to the 1 1/2” mark. Now I understand you meant to press 1/4” across the entire top. I think that instruction can be written clearer. Thank you.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks so much for your comment! We’ve rewritten this section of the tutorial to make it a bit clearer for future readers. The hems should be 1/4 inch from the sides, but should only be 1.5 inches in length from the top of the bag.
Best,
Anna
Spoonflower
Pattern dimension for each part:
2 each 17.5″ x 7 7/8″
Each small square is 3″ x 3″
I measured another actual bag I had similar to this, and the finished dimensions were 17″ x 12.5″, so I am just going to cut my fabric to make that finished size and use the 3″ x 3″ squares and follow these instructions on how to assemble.
Are you sure it’s 8 x 18 ? Most other adult size patterns are 16 x 18.
Hi Lorelei,
Thanks for your question! The bag pattern is cut on the fold so the fabric width will be double the size of the pattern. I hope that helps, but if you have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask!
Could you please give the dimensions to cut the fabric. The pattern does not print out completely; only prints page one. Love the bag design. Thank you.
Hi Cheryle,
We’re sorry for the trouble! The bag pattern is roughly 8″ wide x 18″ long. I hope that helps, but if you have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask!
Thank you for the dimensions, I’m making these bags for my boys for Christmas, pattern doesn’t print out in full size.
Thank you for the pattern and instructions. I noticed in your last picture showing the finished bag that you have an old sewing machine in the corner. I have one too that was handed down from my grandmother. It had originally been a treadle machine, but my father put a motor on it for her. I am 65 so that kind of gives you an idea of how old it its. Looking forward to trying your fabric and wallpaper options. Happy sewing.
I love this! I’m student teaching in a Hillsborough high school and have been looking all over for a simple bag to make with my Apparel I classes. This one is perfect AND it’s from my favorite local fabric geniuses! We are about to cover fabric finishes and Spoonflower is (of course) who we will be talking about when we go over digital printing. We are going to hand print our own fabric for our backpacks, but I can’t wait until I teach advanced classes so we can upload our own designs and get fabric printed from Spoonflower to use in our projects. Thanks for existing and being awesome!
This is nearly the exact bag I made in 9th grade Home Ec Sewing 1 class! But ours had a divided pocket on the front panel!
Maybe things have changed since I was in school, but when I was in 9th grade we all made a dress, sleeves, zipper and all. 7th grade was a skirt with zipper, 8th grade was a jumper with a zipper. A bag like this is a good starter, but you underestimate the ability of that age. By the time I was in 12th grade (not in a class), I made my prom gown.
Great tutorial! I make something similar to this! https://www.etsy.com/listing/594745034/drawstring-bag-adult-size