Sewing a Drawstring Handbag

Make a drawstring handbag for any purpose.

A drawstring handbag can be both useful and elegant. The available variety of cloth and cord provides a range of styles. The bag can be lined or unlined. A small bag for evening wear that will carry lipstick, a mirror and an ID doesn't need the durability of a bag that will hold wallet, pens, keys and a candy bar. The bags are simple enough that you can make one for each purpose.

Things You'll Need

• Paper for pattern
• Scissors
• FabricLining fabric
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Sewing Needle
• Pencil or chalk
• Ruler
• Cord for drawstrings
• Safety pin

Instructions

Construction and Sewing

1. Draw a paper pattern. The pattern will be a one-dimensional outline of the size and shape of the handbag. Cut out the paper pattern. Use the pattern to cut two pieces of the main fabric. Cut two pieces of lining fabric using the same pattern.

2. Machine stitch the two pieces of the main fabric together with the "right" side (the side you want to show) to the inside. Sew the lining material the same way.

3. Turn the main piece right side out, and put it inside the lining piece. Sew around the top of the handbag, securing the lining to the main bag. Leave an opening in this seam so you can pull the lining through it. For a small bag of lightweight material, a 1-inch opening should be enough. If the material is thick, leave a larger opening.

4. Stuff the lining through the hole so that it is inside the main bag. The two "wrong" sides should be touching and the raw edge of the top seam should be hidden from sight. Hand stitch the opening in the top seam with small stitches -- as invisible as possible.

5. Mark where you want the cord to be inserted. Material above this mark will make a ruffle when the drawstrings are pulled. Or insert the cord close to the top for a plainer look. Measure and mark with pencil or chalk around the inside of the bag where to stitch the cord channel. Mark a second line for the bottom of the channel. The distance between the two lines should be a little more than twice the size of your cord.

6. Make a hole on each side of the bag by cutting the side stitches of the main bag and the lining where the cord will enter and exit the channel.

7. Stitch the channel lines around the bag, stitching through the lining and main fabric.Start and stop the stitching at each side hole. Reinforce the channel ends by sewing back and forth on the stitch line.

8. Cut two lengths of cord, each piece the length of the circumference of the opening of the bag plus 2 inches. Tie a knot at each end of one of the drawstrings.

9. Attach a safety pin to one knot of the cord. Close the pin, and push it through the channel. Pull the pin out of the same hole it entered, and remove the pin. Tie the two ends of the cord together.

10. Follow the same process with the second cord at the other channel opening. When completed, you will have one cord loop on each side of the bag. Pull the cords at the same time to close the bag.

Tips & Warnings

• For an unlined bag, make a hem at the top of the bag. Fold the top to the inside, and stitch it down around the bag for a cord channel.

• Choose a lining that will complement the main material as it will show a little above the drawstring.

• To have just one drawstring, cut a hole in only one side of the bag and push the cord around the whole bag.

• Make it a shoulder bag by cutting longer cords.

• It is important to reinforce the stitching at seams where there will be a lot of stress, particularly where the drawstring comes out.

References

• Skip to My Lou: A Drawstring Bag Tutorial
• Chica and Jo: How to Make a Drawstring Bag
• Quilting Board: How to Make a Drawstring Two-Pocket Bag