How to Sew a Bag Together

There are many kinds of bags that are easy to sew. Here are instructions for sewing a basic drawstring bag and a basic tote bag. You can make both of these bags any size you want; the specific measurements below are given as guidelines. Both bags will look very different depending on what kind of fabric you use. Drawstring bags work best with lightweight fabrics, such as cottons, poly-cottons or nylon (the latter works great for laundry bags). Tote bags work best with heavier, sturdier fabrics such as canvas or denim. Both bags are sewn with 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 yard of fabric
• measuring tape
• scissors
• straight pins
• iron
• sewing machine
• thread
• 1 and 1/2 yards ribbon or cording for drawstring bag
• 1 and 1/2 yards strap material for tote bag

How to Sew a Drawstring Bag

1. Cut the fabric in half to make two rectangles, each about 22 inches wide by 36 inches tall.

2. Place the two pieces right sides together. Pin them together along the sides and lower edge, then stitch along the sides and lower edge of the bag.

3. Fold the top edge of the fabric over 1/4 inch. Press the fold flat.

4. Stitch along the top edge of the fabric, being careful not to sew the bag shut.

5. Fold the top edge over again, this time about 1 inch. Press the fold flat.

6. Stitch along the lower edge of the fold, on top of the previous stitching. Leave an opening about 2 inches long in this seam so you can put the drawstring in the casing.

7. Turn the bag right side out.

8. Cut a piece of ribbon or cording about 60 inches long. If you are using a piece of ribbon or cording that doesn’t have a finished end, attach a small safety pin to the end of it.

9. Insert the safety pin or end of the cording through the opening in the casing, and pull the drawstring through until the ends are about equal in length. Remove the safety pin.

10. Tie the ends of the ribbon or cording together, forming a knot near the casing. Tie a second knot on top of the first, then tie the ends of the drawstring in a bow.

How to Sew a Tote Bag

11. Cut two pieces of fabric, each 22 inches square. These will be the front and back of the tote bag.

12. Cut two pieces of fabric, each 7 by 22 inches. These will be the sides of the tote bag.

13. Cut one piece of fabric 7 by 22 inches. This will be the bottom of the bag.

14. Lay the front of the bag right side up. Place the two side pieces right side down on top of it, lining up the outer edges of the sides with the outer edges of the front.

15. Pin the sides of the bag to the front. Sew the sides to the front and press the seams flat.

16. Place the back of the bag and one of the sides right sides together, lining up the outer edges. Pin, then stitch the back to the side.

17. Place the back of the bag and the other side of the bag right sides together, lining up the outer edges. Pin, then stitch the back to the side.

18. Pin the bottom of the bag to the lower edge of the front, back and sides with the fabric right sides together. Stitch the bottom of the bag in place.

19. Fold the top edge of the bag over 1/2 inch. Press the fold flat.

20. Fold the top edge over again 1/2 inch. Press the fold flat, then topstitch along the fold.

21. Turn the bag right side out.

22. Cut the strap material into two equal pieces.

23. Stitch both ends of one strap to the front of the back, near the top. Stitch both ends of the other strap to the back of the bag.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find strap material in the trim section of many fabric stores.
• Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines.