A bread bag is a drawstring pouch you sew from two pieces of fabric, sized to hold a loaf or rolls

A bread bag is straightforward a rectangular pouch with a drawstring threaded through the top. You sew two pieces of fabric together on three sides, fold down the top edge to create a channel for the string, and thread cord or ribbon through it. The whole project takes about 45 minutes once you have your fabric and materials, and you do not need a pattern—just measurements and a sewing machine.

The finished bag keeps bread fresh longer than plastic by letting it breathe while blocking air circulation that dries it out. Most home bakers make them from quilting cotton, linen, or canvas scraps. A typical bread bag measures 9 inches wide by 12 inches tall, which fits a standard loaf or a dozen dinner rolls.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two rectangles of fabric 10 inches wide by 13 inches tall—the extra inch accounts for seam allowance and the drawstring channel.
  • Sew the two pieces together on three sides with a half-inch seam allowance, leaving the top edge open.
  • Fold the top edge down half an inch, press it flat, fold it down another inch, and sew around the perimeter to create the drawstring channel.
  • Thread a 24-inch length of cord or ribbon through the channel using a safety pin, tie the ends together, and trim the excess.
  • Turn the bag right-side-out through the opening at the top before you sew the drawstring channel closed.

Gather your fabric, thread, and drawstring materials

You need two pieces of fabric cut to the same size. For a standard loaf-sized bag, cut two rectangles 10 inches wide by 13 inches tall. Use quilting cotton, linen, canvas, or any medium-weight fabric you have on hand. Avoid very thin fabrics like muslin or very thick ones like denim—they are harder to sew neatly and the seams will be bulky.

You also need thread that matches your fabric (or contrasts if you want the seams to show), a sewing machine, scissors, a measuring tape, and something to mark your fabric—a fabric pencil, chalk, or even a ballpoint pen works. For the drawstring, use a 24-inch length of cotton cord, ribbon, twill tape, or even a strip of fabric you have sewn into a tube. A safety pin makes threading the drawstring much easier.

Cut and prepare your fabric pieces

Lay one piece of fabric flat on a clean surface. Measure 10 inches across the width and 13 inches down the length. Mark the corners lightly with your fabric pencil. Cut along the marks with sharp scissors, using long, straight strokes rather than short choppy ones—this gives you a cleaner edge.

Cut the second piece exactly the same size. Stack them on top of each other with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other and the wrong sides (the back) facing out. This is called "right sides together." Pin the two pieces along two adjacent sides to hold them in place while you sew. You will leave the top edge unpinned—that stays open for now.

Sew three sides of the bag with a half-inch seam allowance

Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2.5 to 3 millimeters. Thread the machine and tie a knot at the end of your thread. Start at one corner of the pinned edges, about half an inch in from the corner. Sew along one long side, keeping the edge of your fabric aligned with the half-inch mark on your presser foot (most machines have this line marked on the foot itself).

When you reach the corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, rotate the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing along the next side. Sew the bottom edge and the third side the same way. Stop about half an inch before you reach the starting point and tie off your thread. Do not sew the top edge—leave it completely open. Remove the pins and trim any loose thread.

Turn the bag right-side-out and press the seams flat

Reach into the opening at the top and grab one of the bottom corners from the inside. Pull it gently toward the opening, then keep pulling until the entire bag turns inside-out. The right sides of the fabric are now facing outward. Push the corners out fully with your fingers so they are sharp and square, not rounded.

Lay the bag flat on an ironing board or clean surface. Press the three sewn seams flat with an iron set to medium heat (check your fabric's care label first). Pay special attention to the bottom corners—press them so they lie flat and crisp. This makes the next step much easier and gives the finished bag a neater appearance.

Create the drawstring channel by folding and sewing the top edge

Fold the raw top edge of the bag down toward the inside by half an inch all the way around. Press this fold flat with your iron. Then fold it down another inch and press again. You now have a one-inch-wide channel folded down on the inside of the bag. Pin this folded edge in place.

Sew around the entire perimeter of the bag, about a quarter inch down from the top folded edge. This stitching line creates the channel that the drawstring will slide through. Sew slowly and keep the stitches straight and even. When you reach the starting point, overlap your stitches by about half an inch and tie off the thread. Remove the pins.

Thread the drawstring through the channel and tie it off

Attach your safety pin to one end of your 24-inch cord or ribbon. Push the safety pin into the channel at one spot, then work it through the entire channel by pushing the fabric along the pin toward the opening. This takes a minute or two—go slowly so the pin does not poke through the fabric. When the safety pin comes out the other side, remove it and pull the cord all the way through.

You now have both ends of the cord hanging out of the channel. Tie the two ends together in a square knot (right over left, then left over right). Trim any excess cord to about half an inch past the knot. Tuck the knot inside the channel so it does not show. Your bread bag is finished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a bread bag without a sewing machine?

Yes, but it takes longer. Use a needle and thread to sew by hand with a running stitch or backstitch. Keep your stitches small and even—about an eighth inch apart. The seams will be less strong than machine stitching, so reinforce them by sewing over the same line twice.

What size should I make the bag if I bake smaller loaves or rolls?

For dinner rolls or small artisan loaves, cut rectangles 8 inches wide by 11 inches tall. For large sandwich loaves, cut 11 inches wide by 14 inches tall. The bag should be about an inch wider than your loaf and tall enough that the drawstring sits about an inch above the top of the bread when it is inside.

Can I use a different fabric like cotton knit or stretchy material?

Knit and stretchy fabrics are harder to work with because they curl at the edges and shift while you sew. Stick with woven fabrics like cotton, linen, or canvas. If you want a softer bag, use a lighter-weight cotton or linen instead of canvas.

What if my drawstring gets stuck in the channel?

Stop pulling and work it backward gently. The safety pin may have caught a thread. Once you free it, continue slowly. If the channel is too tight, you may have folded it down more than one inch—next time, measure carefully before you fold and sew.

How do I wash the bread bag?

Turn it inside-out, remove the drawstring, and wash it in cool water with mild soap. Air-dry it flat or hanging. Do not use hot water or the dryer, as heat can shrink cotton. Once it is dry, thread the drawstring back through the channel.