How to Sew a Lined Drawstring Bag

A lined drawstring bag is a versatile little bag that can be perfect for carrying odds and ends when you are out. It can be made from colorful fabrics and is a fun accessory to add to your collection.

Of course, you could purchase a ready-made drawstring bag, but if you possess novice-level sewing skills you can make your own. These neat little bags can be made quickly and easily and look so cute when they are finished.

Things You'll Need

• Colorful cotton fabric for bag (1/3 yard)
• Cotton fabric for lining (1/3 yard)
• 1 yard cording (3/8-inch)
• Sewing machine
• Sewing notions (thread, scissors, pins)
• Fabric pen
• Ruler
• Tape measure
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut a piece from the bag fabric that measures 16 inches by 7 inches. Cut 2 6 1/2-inch by 7-inch pieces from the lining fabric.

2. 

   Place the bag fabric with right side facing up onto a work surface and place the two lining fabric pieces wrong side facing up on top of the bag fabric. Pin to secure and stitch along both edges with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

3. Iron the seams toward the lining pieces.

4. Fold the sewn fabric piece in half with right sides facing each other. Be careful to align the seam in the center. Pin all open edges to secure.

5. 

   Draw a vertical line with the fabric pen and ruler that is 5 3/4 inches in from the folded end to designate where the casing will be. Draw another line 3/4-inch further in from the first line.

6. Stitch from the folded end along the pinned sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Stop sewing at the first casing line and back stitch. Do not sew between the two casing lines. Continue sewing around the edges from the second casing line after back stitching again.

   Sew to the corner and turn the corner. Continue sewing 1/3 of the next side. Stop sewing and skip 1/3 of this side and then continue sewing the last third to the corner. Turn the corner and sew again until you reach the casing line. Sew around the casing lines in the same fashion as the first side and then continue sewing to the fold.

7. Turn the bag to the right side by pulling it through the opening left on the side. Make sure the corners are pointed and press all of the edges well.

8. Pin the opening closed.

9. Sew along all four edges to top stitch the bag and also to sew closed the pinned opening. Remove the pins.

10. Push the bottom of the lining into the bag to create the lined bag. Arrange the lining inside the bag to make it fit correctly, making sure all of the corners are properly lined up.

11. Press the bag well. Look for the casing gap that was made in the side seam of the bag. It should be approximately 1/2-inch from the top of the bag. This is where the cording will be inserted into the bag.

12. Measure from the top of the bag down to the point of the bottom of the casing gap. Draw a faint line along this point from one side of the bag to the other side with a pencil.

13. Measure from the top of the bag down to the point of the top of the casing gap. Draw a faint line along this point from one side of the bag to the other side with a pencil.

14. Stitch along the two lines drawn in steps 12 and 13. Do not stitch the bag closed, however. This stitching is done through each side of the bag separately.

15. Cut the length of cording in half.

16. Insert one length of cording through one side of the casing and the other length of cording through the other side of the casing. Tie an overhand knot to tie the two ends of the cording together on each side of the bag.

17. Gather the cording on each side to close the bag.