estimated reading time: 5 min

Sewing a drawstring bag: Instructions

13.10.2017 by Sabine Schmidt

If, like me, you love to travel, you might also love things to be practical. In this guide, I will show you how to sew a simple drawstring bag – and it even has a viewing window!

The most important things at a glance

In this post, I will show you how to sew a beautiful and practical bag with a viewing window
The finished bag measures 30 x 37 cm
The illustrated instructions are well-suited for sewing beginners
I like to use the bags as shoe bags, gym bags, laundry storage, for small items, or even for wrapping gifts

Sewing a drawstring bag – simple instructions

A fabric bag that you can easily sew yourself is a truly great thing. Cotton fabrics are, of course, particularly rewarding for this. Perhaps you are already familiar with these cute storage bags made of cotton from my tutorial on how to sew a Kinchaku bag and you're now really eager to try out other bags?

Great idea, because you can never have enough of these practical bags. By the way, I also love using them as gift packaging. I think it’s really cool because you don't have to buy gift wrapping paper anymore and can also wrap beautiful things sustainably. Feel free to also read my post on the topic of sustainable sewing.

I like sewing these practical drawstring bags to fit my specific needs perfectly. And I use them as shoe bags, gym bags, laundry storage, or for small items. Occasionally, I also use them to wrap gifts. ;)

And I think the bags just look pretty, too. You’d happily hang a bag like this in the hallway or on the wardrobe – simply because it looks so cool.

Okay, you might say. But isn't the fabric too beautiful to sew a simple SHOE BAG out of it?

Well. I love my shoes. Even my oldest Chucks. And I think they have carried me to so many interesting places that they deserve to live in a truly royal shoe bag. ;)

Next, however, I am going to sew a smaller drawstring bag. And in the future, that’s where Aunt Frieda’s hand-crocheted lace handkerchiefs will find their place. Promised.

Note: If you are sewing with a fabric with a design that only "works" in one direction, you should make sure during cutting and sewing that the pattern is facing the right way after it has been sewn! :)

These are the materials you need at home

For a bag measuring 30 x 37 cm, you need

For the front

20 x 20 cm clear vinyl^*

From woven cotton^* in each case:

1 piece 8 x 20 cm

2 pieces 8 x 26 cm

1 piece 15 x 32 cm

For the back

1 piece 32 x 39 cm

For the drawstring

2 pieces of cotton bias tape^*, 32 cm long each

2 pieces of cord^*, 90 cm long each

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dimensions of the finished bag with the viewing window?

The finished bag measures 30 x 37 cm. If you like, you can of course change the given dimensions according to your wishes to sew larger or smaller bags.

What can the bags be used for?

I like to use the bags as shoe bags, gym bags, laundry storage, for small items, or even for wrapping gifts.

Can beginners also sew the drawstring bag with a viewing window?

Yes, absolutely! These illustrated step-by-step instructions are very detailed and easy to understand, you'll see!

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Sew a bag with a drawstring casing

Step

The drawstring casing on this bag is constructed differently from the one on my maritime backpack with faux leather that you may already know, for example. And it couldn't be simpler. Yet it holds together nicely and isn't so slippery. Simply pulling it closed is enough to keep the contents safe.
Step

I start with the front. To do this, I sew the first 8 x 20 cm fabric piece to one side of the vinyl piece.
Step

Tip: If you're using a fabric with a motif, make sure this fabric strip sits "upside down" on the finished bag. So sew the motif on "the wrong way round" straight away. :)
Step

I don't flatten the seam allowance by pressing it as usual, but with a bone folder or a stiletto. After all, the plastic can't take the heat of an iron...
Step

Then I sew one of the 26 cm pieces to the next side. I do the same with the last fabric piece. I make sure the seam allowances lie towards the fabric and not towards the plastic.
Step

Now the clear vinyl is framed on 3 sides.
Step

I straighten the edges and then sew on the last piece.
Step

I place the 15 cm wide piece on the open side and sew it on as well.
Step

5 cm from the top edge I mark a line along which I can place the bias binding to sew it on.
Step

I press the ends of the bias binding to the inside; it should be about 2 cm away from the side edge of the fabric.
Step

...and sew it on with a straight stitch.
Step

I repeat this step on the fabric piece for the back as well.
Step

On the inside of both bag pieces, I make a mark 3 cm from the top edge and press the edge over twice by 1.5 cm.
Step

Now this edge can be topstitched with a straight stitch from the right side.
Step

Finally, place both bag pieces right sides together and sew them with a straight stitch.
Step

So that the bag doesn't fray later, don't trim the seam allowance; instead, finish the edges with an overlock stitch, a zigzag stitch or the overlock.
Step

Now just thread the drawstring in once from the right and once from the left. And you're done! :)

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.