How to Sew a Drawstring Bag: Easy Beginner Tutorial
A drawstring bag is one of the simplest sewing projects — useful, fast, and perfect for practicing basic skills. Full step-by-step tutorial with two casing methods.
A drawstring bag is the entry-level project that introduces almost every basic sewing skill in a single afternoon: cutting rectangles, sewing straight seams, finishing edges, creating a casing, and threading cord. The result is something genuinely useful — gym bag, shoe bag, gift bag, lunch bag, laundry bag — at a fraction of the cost of buying one.
This tutorial covers two casing methods. Method 1 (the simple casing) is the absolute beginner version. Method 2 (the channelled casing) produces a more professional-looking finish.
What you need
- Fabric: 0.5 m of medium-weight cotton, canvas, or linen. Lightweight cotton works for small bags; heavier fabric for sturdy daily-use bags.
- Cord or ribbon: 1.5 m of cotton cord, paracord, ribbon, or sturdy fabric tube. About 5 mm wide for small bags, 8 mm for larger ones.
- Sewing machine, thread, pins, scissors, fabric marker, iron.
- Safety pin (for threading the cord).
Sizing options
Choose dimensions for your intended use:
| Bag use | Finished size | Fabric needed |
|---|---|---|
| Small (jewellery, gifts) | 15 × 20 cm | 35 × 25 cm |
| Medium (lunch bag, shoes) | 25 × 30 cm | 55 × 35 cm |
| Large (gym bag) | 35 × 45 cm | 75 × 50 cm |
| Extra-large (laundry) | 45 × 60 cm | 95 × 65 cm |
The fabric piece is roughly 2× width + 5 cm (for seams) × height + 10 cm (for casing and seam). One piece, folded in half.
Step 1: Cut the fabric
Pre-treat the fabric (covered in our pre-treating fabric guide).
Cut a single rectangle to your desired dimensions.
Step 2: Finish the side edges
The side edges (the long edges of the rectangle) will become the sides of the bag. Finish them now to prevent fraying inside.
Use a zigzag stitch, serger, or pinking shears along both long edges. See our seam finishing guide.
Step 3: Hem the top edge (Method 1 — simple casing)
This method produces the casing as a single fold at the top.
- Fold the top edge under 1 cm to the wrong side. Press.
- Fold under again 2 cm to the wrong side. Press.
- Pin around the entire top edge.
- Sew along the bottom of the fold (3 mm from the bottom edge of the fold), all the way around. Leave a 3 cm gap unsewn somewhere along the back — this is where the cord will enter.
The top is now a casing.
Step 4: Fold and sew the sides
- Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, right sides together. The folded edge (the bottom of the bag) is at one short end of the rectangle; the casing edge is at the top.
- Pin the two long edges together.
- Sew both long sides with a 1 cm seam allowance, stopping at the bottom of the casing on each side. Don’t sew through the casing — just up to it.
The bag now has two side seams and a closed bottom.
Step 5: Turn and thread the cord
- Turn the bag right-side out.
- Press the side seams flat.
- Attach a safety pin to one end of your cord.
- Push the safety pin through the gap in the casing, threading it all the way around and back out the same gap.
- Pull both ends of the cord even.
- Knot the two ends together (or attach beads/cord stops if you want a fancier finish).
The drawstring bag is done.
Method 2: Channelled casing (more professional)
Same steps as Method 1, but instead of leaving a gap in the casing, sew the casing closed completely. Then:
- After sewing the casing closed and turning the bag, find the side seams at the top.
- Cut a small buttonhole (or sew a small zigzag opening) on each side seam, just below the casing line, large enough for the cord.
- Thread the cord through one buttonhole, around the casing, and out the other buttonhole.
This produces a casing with no visible gap and two cord ends emerging cleanly from the side seams. More work but more refined.
Variations
| Variation | Change |
|---|---|
| Lined bag | Sew a second rectangle (lining), insert before hemming top |
| Two cords (cinch from both sides) | Use Method 2 with two separate cords entering from each side |
| Reinforced bottom | Add a base piece for sturdier bag |
| Patchwork front | Piece the front rectangle from multiple fabric scraps |
| Boxed bottom | Fold the corners and sew across to create a 3D base |
| Personalized | Add appliqué, embroidery, or printed name |
Common issues
The cord won’t pull smoothly
The casing is too narrow for the cord. Use a thinner cord, or remake the casing wider.
The bag puckers at the side seams
You sewed through the casing instead of stopping at it. The casing must be free at the sides for the cord to pull.
Fabric stretches as you sew
Use a walking foot for slippery fabric (see our walking foot guide).
Side seams come apart at the casing edge
Backstitch where the side seam meets the casing. The corner there is a stress point.
What this teaches
A drawstring bag introduces:
- Cutting straight rectangles
- Sewing straight seams
- Hemming an edge
- Creating a casing
- Threading cord
- Pressing seams open
These are foundational skills for almost any sewing project. After making a few drawstring bags, you have a real foundation for moving on to skirts, pillow covers, and zip pouches.
For more beginner projects, see our 25 beginner sewing projects guide. For the next step in bag construction, see our zipper pouch tutorial and tote bag tutorial.
Closing thought
A drawstring bag is one of the most-given sewn gifts because it’s customisable, useful, and quick. A small bag with someone’s name embroidered or appliquéd on it makes a thoughtful present. A larger one becomes a sturdy reusable shopping bag. The same construction scales perfectly across uses, which is what makes it a great template project to return to over and over.