How To Make a Simple Drawstring Bag in Minutes!

I have only really started to sew in the last few months so am enjoying learning all the basics.

I recently made a set of alphabet rocks for my son and wanted a small bag to keep them all together so decided to have a go at making one myself with some fabric scraps.

I know it is very simple but I have really never tried stuff like this before and was delighted at how simple and effective it was, and how little time it took.

Here is how to do it.

First cut out your fabric scraps. For this bag you will need one 14″x14″ square for the back and three 5″ x 14″ strips for the front.

To assemble the front place two of your strips right sides together and sew along one long edge. Then place the third strip right side together with the middle strip and again sew along the long edge. If you align the edges of the fabric with your presser foot this will give you 1/4″seam allowance and you will end up with a front panel measuring 14″ x 14″.

Next place your front and back panels right sides together and pin. Begin sewing approximately 7cm along one side, all the way along, across the bottom and up the other side, again stopping about 7 cm from the top. Now turn back the unstitched part of one panel until it is level with the stitching and press.

Now fold up again so it is flat, then fold the top of the panel over by 1cm and again by 3cm. Machine stitch close to the folded edge to form a channel. You may need to pin the opposing panel down out of the way while you do this. Then simply repeat for the other side.

Trim the corners to reduce bulk and then turn right side out. Finally insert a piece of cord of the desired length into the channel and thread through, then tie in a knot.

And there you have it, a pretty drawstring bag.

You could make all sorts of useful bags in exactly the same way and simply increase the size of the fabric to hold laundry, PE kits, toys and shoes etc.

I think I will be making quite a few more very soon.

For more simple sewing ideas why not check out my sew-crafty page and my pinterest board here.