What you need to make a drawstring pouch

A drawstring pouch is a small bag you close by pulling a cord through a channel sewn into the fabric. You can make one with basic sewing skills and materials you may already have at home. The simplest version takes about an hour from start to finish, including time to cut and press fabric.

Gather these materials: two pieces of fabric cut to the same size (cotton or linen work well), thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric, a drawstring (cord, ribbon, or fabric strip you make yourself), scissors, pins, a needle or sewing machine, and an iron. If you do not have a drawstring, you can use paracord from a hardware store, ribbon from a craft store, or tear and twist strips of old fabric.

The finished pouch size depends on what you want to hold. A 6-by-8-inch pouch holds a phone or small items. A 4-by-6-inch pouch works for coins or jewelry. Cut your fabric pieces 1 inch larger on all sides than your finished pouch size to account for seam allowance.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical fabric pieces and sew three sides closed with a half-inch seam allowance, leaving the top open.
  • Fold the raw edges at the top inward, press them flat, and sew a channel (a rectangular line of stitching) wide enough for your drawstring to slide through.
  • Use a safety pin or bodkin to thread the drawstring through the channel by inserting it at one side and pushing it through to the other.
  • Knot or tie the ends of the drawstring so it does not pull all the way through and get lost inside the pouch.

Sewing the pouch body

Place your two fabric pieces with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other. Pin around all four edges to hold them in place. Using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, sew three complete sides with a half-inch seam allowance—that means your stitching line runs half an inch in from the edge. Leave the top side completely open; do not sew it closed yet.

Trim the corners diagonally, cutting away a small triangle at each corner without cutting through your stitches. This step, called clipping corners, lets the fabric lie flat when you turn the pouch right-side out. Turn the pouch inside out through the open top so the right sides of the fabric now face outward. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the back of a spoon to push the corners out so they are sharp and square.

Press the entire pouch flat with an iron, paying special attention to the top opening. Fold the raw edges at the top inward by half an inch on both the front and back pieces, and press them flat. This creates a clean finished edge and makes the channel easier to sew.

Creating the drawstring channel

The channel is a rectangular tunnel sewn into the fabric near the top of the pouch. It holds the drawstring and lets it slide freely. Measure down from the top folded edge about three-quarters of an inch and mark a light line all the way around the pouch with a fabric pencil or chalk. This is where your first line of stitching will go.

Sew a straight line around the entire pouch at this mark, using a needle and thread or a sewing machine. Keep your stitching parallel to the top edge and as even as possible. When you reach a corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot (if using a machine), pivot the fabric 90 degrees, and continue sewing. This creates a clean corner.

Now measure down another half-inch from that first line and sew a second line all the way around the pouch, again pivoting at corners. The space between these two lines is your channel. The drawstring will slide through this tunnel when you pull it.

Threading the drawstring

Attach a safety pin or bodkin (a blunt needle with a large eye) to one end of your drawstring. A safety pin works if you do not have a bodkin—just open it and tie the drawstring to the pin. Insert the safety pin into the channel at one side of the pouch, pushing it through the tunnel you just created.

Work the safety pin slowly through the channel, bunching the fabric as you go. This takes patience but prevents the drawstring from twisting or knotting inside. When the safety pin emerges from the other side of the channel, pull the drawstring all the way through until both ends hang evenly outside the pouch.

Tie a knot or a bow at each end of the drawstring so it cannot slip back through the channel and disappear inside. If you used cord or ribbon, a straightforward overhand knot works. If you made the drawstring from fabric, you can tie it in a bow or knot and trim the ends at an angle to prevent fraying.

Finishing touches and variations

Your pouch is now complete and ready to use. If the fabric edges inside the pouch look rough, you can finish them by sewing a zigzag stitch along each seam, which prevents fraying. This step is optional but makes the pouch last longer if you wash it often.

Once you are comfortable with the basic pouch, you can try variations. Make the pouch larger for a project bag or smaller for a gift pouch. Use two different fabrics—one for the outside and one for the lining—by sewing them together before you sew the pouch closed. Add a label with your name or a date sewn into one of the seams. Use a contrasting drawstring color to make it stand out, or make the drawstring from the same fabric as the pouch for a coordinated look.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is sewing the channel too close to the top edge. If you sew it less than half an inch down, the top of the pouch will bunch and look unfinished. Aim for three-quarters of an inch to one inch from the folded edge for a channel that looks neat and works smoothly.

Another frequent problem is threading the drawstring too quickly, which causes it to twist inside the channel. Take your time and work the safety pin through slowly, bunching the fabric as you go. If the drawstring does twist, you can usually unthread it, straighten it, and try again.

Do not forget to knot the ends of the drawstring. Many people thread it through perfectly and then watch it slip all the way inside the pouch the first time they pull it. A straightforward knot at each end solves this problem permanently.

Choosing fabric and drawstring materials

Cotton and linen are the easiest fabrics to sew by hand or machine. They hold their shape, do not slip around while you work, and look good when finished. Avoid very stretchy fabrics like jersey or spandex until you have made a few pouches, because they are harder to control and the seams can pucker.

For the drawstring, paracord from a hardware store is durable and inexpensive. Ribbon from a craft store comes in many colors and patterns. If you want to match the pouch exactly, cut a strip of your fabric about one inch wide, fold it in half lengthwise, and sew it closed to create a fabric drawstring. This takes a few extra minutes but looks polished and coordinated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a drawstring pouch by hand without a sewing machine?

Yes. Use a needle and thread and sew with a running stitch or backstitch, which is stronger. The work takes longer—usually two to three hours instead of one—but the result is just as strong. Backstitch (going backward through the previous stitch hole) creates a seam that holds better than a running stitch for pouches that will be used often.

What if my drawstring gets stuck in the channel?

Stop pulling and work it gently backward and forward to loosen it. Usually the drawstring has twisted or bunched. If it is truly stuck, you can carefully cut a small slit in the channel fabric, pull the drawstring out, and hand-stitch the slit closed. This is why threading slowly with a safety pin matters.

How do I make the pouch waterproof?

Use waterproof fabric like oilcloth or laminated cotton, which you can find at fabric stores. Sew it the same way as regular fabric. The drawstring channel will still work, and the pouch will shed water. Do not use an iron on waterproof fabrics—the heat can damage the coating.

Can I add a lining to my pouch?

Yes. Cut four fabric pieces instead of two—two for the outer pouch and two for the lining. Sew the outer pieces together on three sides, sew the lining pieces together on three sides, then insert the lining inside the outer pouch with right sides facing each other. Sew around the top opening to join them, turn everything right-side out through a gap you leave in the lining, and hand-stitch that gap closed. Then sew your channel as usual.

What size drawstring should I use?

A drawstring should be long enough to go around the top of the pouch plus 12 to 18 inches extra for the tails that hang outside. For a 6-by-8-inch pouch with a 16-inch circumference, use a drawstring about 40 to 46 inches long. You can always trim it shorter after you tie the knots.