A drawstring bag is two fabric pieces sewn together with a channel for the cord

A drawstring bag is straightforward a rectangular pouch with a casing (a tunnel of fabric) sewn near the top. The drawstring runs through that casing, and when you pull it, the opening closes. You sew the sides and bottom, leave the top open, fold down the top edge to create the casing, and thread the cord through. The whole project takes about an hour once you have your materials.

You do not need a sewing machine—hand sewing works fine, though a machine is faster. You need two pieces of fabric cut to the same size, thread, a needle or machine, scissors, a safety pin or bodkin to thread the drawstring, and a cord or ribbon for the drawstring itself. The fabric can be cotton, linen, canvas, or any medium-weight material that does not fray too badly.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical rectangles of fabric, then sew three sides together with the right sides facing each other, leaving the top edge open.
  • Turn the bag right-side out through the opening, then press the top edge flat so the seam sits at the fold.
  • Fold the top edge down twice to create a casing wide enough for your drawstring, then sew around the casing close to the bottom fold.
  • Use a safety pin or bodkin to thread the drawstring through the casing, starting and ending at the same opening.
  • Tie the drawstring ends together or leave them loose, depending on how you want the bag to close.

Cut your fabric pieces and mark your seam allowance

Decide how large you want the finished bag to be. A common size is 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall, but you can make it larger or smaller. Add half an inch on all sides for the seam allowance—so a 5-by-7 finished bag needs fabric pieces that are 6 by 8 inches.

Cut two identical rectangles from your fabric using scissors or a rotary cutter. Lay them on top of each other with the right sides facing each other (the pretty side of the fabric facing inward). Pin them together so they do not shift while you sew. Use a pencil or fabric marker to lightly draw a line half an inch from the edge on three sides—the bottom and both long sides. You will sew along this line.

Sew three sides, leaving the top open

Using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, sew along the marked line on the bottom and both sides. Use a straight stitch and keep your stitches small and even—about one-eighth inch apart if sewing by hand, or a standard machine stitch length. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread in place. Do not sew the top edge closed.

Trim the corners diagonally, cutting away the fabric triangle at each bottom corner without cutting into your stitches. This step, called clipping corners, prevents the corners from bunching when you turn the bag right-side out. Leave about one-quarter inch between your cut and the seam.

Turn the bag right-side out and press the top edge

Reach through the open top and grab the bottom corner of the bag from the inside. Pull gently until the bag turns inside out through the opening. The right sides of the fabric are now facing outward. Use your fingers to push the corners out fully so they are sharp and square.

Lay the bag flat on an ironing board or table. Press the top edge with an iron on low heat, or straightforward use your fingers to crease it firmly. The seam from the side stitching should sit exactly at the fold. This crisp edge makes the casing easier to sew and look neater.

Create the casing by folding and sewing the top edge

Fold the top edge down toward the inside of the bag by about three-quarters of an inch. Press this fold flat. Then fold it down again by the same amount—you now have a double layer of fabric creating a tunnel. This tunnel is your casing. Pin it in place so it does not shift.

Sew around the entire casing close to the bottom fold, using the same stitch you used for the sides. This seam holds the casing in place and creates the channel that the drawstring will run through. Backstitch at the beginning and end. You now have a closed bag with a casing near the top and a small opening in the casing where you will thread the drawstring.

Thread the drawstring through the casing

Cut a length of cord or ribbon for your drawstring. A good length is about 1.5 times the width of the bag—so for a 5-inch-wide bag, cut about 7 to 8 inches. If you want the drawstring to hang down when pulled, cut it longer.

Attach a safety pin to one end of the drawstring. Push the safety pin through the opening in the casing and work it around the entire tunnel, using the pin to pull the cord along. When the pin reaches the starting point, remove it and pull both ends of the drawstring out. The cord now runs all the way around the inside of the casing.

Tie the two ends together in a knot, or leave them loose so the drawstring can slide freely. If you tie them, the bag closes by pulling the loop. If you leave them loose, you pull the ends to tighten and loosen the bag.

Finishing touches and variations

Trim any loose threads with scissors. If your fabric frays easily, you can seal the raw edges of the casing opening with a small dab of fabric glue or fray check, though this is optional for a casual bag.

Once you understand the basic method, you can make variations: use different fabrics for the inside and outside, add a second casing for a two-cord design, or embroider the outside before sewing. You can also make the casing wider to accommodate thicker rope, or narrower for thin cord. The structure stays the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a drawstring bag by hand instead of using a machine?

Yes. Hand sewing takes longer—usually 1.5 to 2 hours instead of 30 minutes—but the result is the same. Use a running stitch or backstitch, keep your stitches small and even, and backstitch at the start and end of each seam to prevent unraveling.

What kind of cord works best for a drawstring?

Cotton rope, paracord, ribbon, or even thick yarn all work. The cord should be thin enough to thread through the casing without bunching the fabric. Test the fit before you sew the casing closed. Avoid cord that is too thick or too slippery.

What if I sew the top closed by mistake?

Use a seam ripper to cut and remove the stitches along the top edge, then carefully pull the threads out. Once the seam is open, you can fold and sew the casing as planned. It happens to everyone.

Do I need to use a safety pin to thread the drawstring?

A safety pin is the easiest method because it grips the cord and slides smoothly through the casing. If you do not have one, a bodkin (a large blunt needle) works the same way. You can also thread the cord by hand if the casing is wide enough, though it is slower.

How do I keep the drawstring from getting tangled inside the bag?

Tie the ends together in a knot so the cord forms a loop, or tie a small knot at each end so the cord cannot slip back into the casing. If you leave the ends loose, they will eventually disappear into the bag—tie them or tack them to the outside with a small stitch.