How to Sew a Drawstring Bag with French Seams
Learn how to make a drawstring bag with beautiful enclosed French seams. Save on fabric (no lining!), use pretty handmade bias tape (or whatever you like) for drawstrings, and sew these bags in just about any size you need. I've provided the exact measurements for a small 6", medium 8", and large 12" bag, plus the math to work out other sizes. These drawstring bags are great for using as homemade gift bags, organizing, and more!
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- scissors
- Safety pin
Supplies
- 1 yard of cotton/linen blend fabric see instructions for exact measurements
- Matching thread
- 1/2 " wide double fold bias tape ribbon, lace, or cord for the drawstrings
Instructions
Before Starting
- I've provided sizes for three bags in this tutorial. A small 6", medium 8", and large 12" bag. I will note the dimensions and cutting dimensions for each bag here, but the actual construction of the bag is the exact same no matter the size you choose to make. See notes for figuring out how much fabric to cut for a bag in any size.
- Always wash/dry your linen fabric to account for shrinkage before cutting.
- You may want to stitch your bias tape closed before adding it to the bag (especially for handmade bias tapes). This way it won't come unfolded and start fraying if you opt to toss the bag in the wash.
- Don't forget to watch the video. I always find that sewing instructions make far more sense when I can see them, versus reading what I'm supposed to be doing!
Cutting Instructions
- Finished dimensions do not include the drawstring casing. Seam allowance is 5/8" using French seams. A. Small bag (finished dimensions: 6"x6"): Cut a rectangle of linen fabric measuring 7.25" x 17". Have two 17" lengths of bias tape (or other drawstring) on hand for finishing.B. Medium bag (finished dimensions: 8"x8"): Cut a rectangle of linen fabric measuring 9.25" x 21". Have two 21" lengths of bias tape (or other drawstring) on hand for finishing.C. Large bag (finished dimensions: 12"x12"): Cut a rectangle of linen fabric measuring 13.25" x 29". Have two 29" lengths of bias tape (or other drawstring) on hand for finishing.
Time to Sew:
- With WRONG sides together, fold the bottom short edge of your linen rectangle up to meet the top short edge. From the opening, mark down 2.5" on the left and right sides. Stitch 1/4" seams on each side of the bag from bottom to top--stop sewing when you reach the line you have marked. The unsewn edges will be the casing later.
- Trim the corners of the seam allowance carefully at an angle (this makes nice sharp edges to turn out) and turn bag out. Press. Now the RIGHT sides will be together. Re-mark the 2.5" marking you made earlier.
- Stitch a 3/8" seam on each side of the bag from bottom to top--again, stop sewing when you reach that 2.5" mark. This 3/8" seam will completely enclose the earlier seam.
- Turn the bag right sides out. Press.
- You now have four side edges that are raw and need to be hemmed. Fold each of these edges towards the wrong side of the bag, roughly 1/4" over and then a 1/4" again.
- Hem each of the raw SIDE seams this way. Leave the top edges until the next step.
- Here's what it'll look like:
- On the top open edges of the bag, starting with one side, fold down 1/4". Press. Fold this edge down 1/4" again and press. To be honest, I just eyeball this. If you make it too thick, your bias tape might get a little squished when you add it in, so try to be accurate, but it's really not the end of the world. Repeat on the other edge.
- With the top edge folded over as pressed (1/4" and 1/4" again) stitch the seam. Repeat on the other edge. NOTE: I realized that half the time I make these, I don't even bother with this seam, instead I just press my fabric well and go right on to the next seam. Feel free to do it whichever way you like. Fold the first edge down in half (it will now line up right where that original 2.5" mark was from the beginning) and stitch. Repeat on the other side.
- Use a large safety pin to thread bias tape through both sides of your bag. When you arrive at the entrance point, measure about 2.5" extra on each side and trim. Use this excess to tie a tight knot.
- Now, starting at the opposite side of your bag, thread the bias tape through again and repeat.
- Trim any excess threads and you are done!
Video
Notes
Make any size drawstring bag! Want to make your bag a different size? Here's how. Determine the desired finished width of your bag. Now add 1.25" to that measurement. That is the width you will cut. Now, determine the desired finished height of your bag (not including the drawstring casing). Double this number and add 5". That the amount you will cut for the height of the bag. Sew as indicated in the tutorial.
Example: For the medium-sized bag, I wanted a bag that was 8"x8", not including the drawstring casing. So I added 8" + 1.25" to get 9.25" for the width. Then, I added 8"+8"+5" to get 21" for the height.
Because of the thickness of the casing, a 5"-6" bag might the smallest size to make comfortably (though a thinner fabric than linen will allow you to go even smaller). Let me know if you try it! And, while I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work, just be warned I have not yet trying making a gigantic drawstring gift bag with this method!