How to Make a Drawstring Bag | Easy with Lining

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Make a drawstring bag with lining for holding gifts or just for keeping this and that organized. My daughters love to use these as little purses. This is a simple sewing project, easy enough for a beginner.

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How to Sew a Drawstring Bag

You can use any fabric you like. I think that this is a great opportunity to use some of those cute little fat quarter bundles that you see at fabric stores and Walmart (I got this pack there.) I even searched on Amazon and they have a cute selection as well! Here are some browns, some bee-themed fabrics, this set is cute and wintery with greens. Perfect for Christmas gifts!

Useful Tools for this Sewing Project

• Sewing Machine
• Rotary Cutter and Mat or Scissors
• pins or clips
• Fabric and ribbon

Step-By-Step Instructions

Note: Use a 1/4″ to 1/2″ seam allowance throughout the project. I just lined the outside of the fabric with the right side of the presser foot. This gave me a nice allowance and kept my lines straight. If you use the larger allowance, you may want to press your seams open to prevent bulk.

• Cut four rectangle pieces 9×11.5 inches. If you are using a quarter, this means you can cut it in half the long way and then in half again across the middle. This will give you a nice-sized bag. Feel free to make it any size you like, bigger or smaller. We made some little ones for keeping earrings and a watch in while swimming. They were a bit more difficult to sew on the machine but doable.
• Next place the right sides together for the outside of the bag and stitch all the way around three sides leaving the top open
• Then place the right sides together for the lining. Stitch around the sides and bottom corners leaving a 3″ gap at the bottom so that you can turn your bag right side out later.

• After you have stitched the sides and bottoms, you will make the boxed corner. This gives the bag the ability to stand up and makes it look so professional.
• Turn the outside on its side and line the seam up, making a point. Measure up approximately 1 inch from the point. Place a pin there to mark the inch. Do this on both corners of the outside and repeat this with the lining as well.
• Stitch across the line you made with the pin. Then cut off that point right along the seam
• Turn it right side out and you will see your boxed corner.

• Now, place the outside of the bag inside the lining of the bag. The right sides should be facing each other
• If you have a sewing machine where the bulky part can slide off, sewing this will be much easier. Remove that part.
• Now stitch along the top of the bag connecting the lining and the outside of the bag.
• Using the hole you left in the bottom of the lining, turn the bag right sides out.
• Now pinch the opening closed and stitch it together on your machine

• Tuck the lining inside the bag and straighten it all out and tuck the corners in neatly. Line up the side seams
• Now you will top stitch all around the top just about 1/4 inch from the top of the bag
• Add two more lines to form a channel for the ribbon or whatever you use for the drawstring. The ribbon I used fit perfectly if I lined the outside of the presser foot with the first line I sewed. It is approximately 1/2 inch, maybe a bit less. Just measure your ribbon or whatever you are using to make sure you make the channel wide enough.
• Take a razor or seam ripper and open between the channel at the seam, do this on the outside of the bag and also on the inside. Just that tiny opening at the side seam.
• Cut two pieces of ribbon or thick string 28″ long
• Place a safety pin on your ribbon and feed it through the channel that you made. I found it easier to go the opposite way that I opened it, it is less likely to get hung up when you come out the opening on the other side. You will be putting it in the opening and coming out that same opening. Then do the same thing on the other side.

• You will have two loose strings on each side. You can leave it that way, tie knots, or add beads if you like. Or you could use a liquid stitch and connect the two ends to make a loop. That is what I did. Let it dry overnight and you are ready to go!

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