How to Make a Fabric Bag With a Drawstring Top

Drawstring top bags can be used for many purposes

The drawstring top bag is made for the beginning sewer. With just basic sewing skills, you can make these bags in a variety of sizes. Use the smaller ones as purses. The larger ones can be used for beach totes, pajama parties or for craft projects to keep all the materials together. If you like, you can even decorate it with fabric paint and a stencil from the craft store.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton or cotton blend fabric
• Matching thread
• Straight pins
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Cord or ribbon
• Large safety pin
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut two rectangles, 13 inches wide and 16 inches long, for a large drawstring top bag.

2. Flip the fabric pieces so the right side of the fabric is facing inward.

3. Pin three of the sides with straight pins to connect the two pieces of fabric, two long sides and a shorter bottom. Sew 1/2-inch seams over the pins, leaving 1 1/2 inches unsewn at the top of both sides of the bag. Remove the pins.

4. Press the seams open with your iron. Continue to press the open top sides, 1/2 inch inwards to match the seams. This will give the unsewn area that will make up the fabric tube later a neat, crisp edge.

5. Fold and press under, toward the wrong side of the fabric, 1/4 inch at the top of each side of the bag. Fold under another inch to the wrong side of the fabric. Use the straight pins to keep the fold in place. Sew close to the inside fold on each side of the bag. Remove the pins.

6. Cut two pieces of cord or ribbon, 18 inches each. Attach the safety pin to the end of one piece of cord. Push the pin through the front tube of the purse. When you reach the other side of the fabric tube, remove the safety pin. Repeat this process for the back side of the bag top.

7. Tie a knot at each end of the four tails of the cords. Push the fabric towards the center of the cord to gather it and close the top of the bag.