What You'll Make and What You Need

A dice bag is a small drawstring pouch that holds polyhedral dice, coins, or other small gaming pieces. You can sew one in about an hour using two pieces of fabric, thread, and a needle—no special equipment required. The finished bag is roughly 4 inches wide and 5 inches tall, which holds a full set of seven dice comfortably.

Gather these materials before you start: two pieces of fabric cut to 5 inches by 8 inches (one for the outside, one for the lining), a needle, thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric, scissors, pins, a ruler, and a length of cord or ribbon about 24 inches long for the drawstring. If you have a sewing machine, you can use it, but hand-sewing works just as well for a project this small.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two fabric rectangles to 5 inches by 8 inches—one outer fabric and one lining fabric.
  • Sew the two pieces together with right sides facing inward, leaving a 2-inch opening at the top for turning.
  • Turn the bag right-side out through that opening, then fold the raw edges inward and stitch the opening closed.
  • Sew a channel (a tube of fabric) around the top of the bag, then thread your drawstring through it.

Preparing Your Fabric and Cutting Straight Lines

Start by cutting two rectangles of fabric, each 5 inches wide and 8 inches tall. If your fabric is wrinkled, press it flat with an iron on low heat before cutting—straight edges matter for a neat finished bag. Use a ruler and a fabric pencil or chalk to mark your cutting lines, then cut slowly with sharp scissors. Fraying at the edges is normal and will be hidden inside the bag.

Place one piece of fabric on top of the other with the right sides facing inward (the pretty, printed side of the fabric should be touching the pretty side of the other piece). This is the most common mistake: beginners often sew with right sides facing outward, which puts all the seams on the outside of the finished bag. Pin the two pieces together around all four edges to keep them from shifting while you sew.

Sewing the Sides and Bottom Together

Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. Starting at one corner, sew the two pieces together using a running stitch—push the needle through both layers, pull it out about 1/8 inch away, then push it back through. Keep your stitches small and even, about 1/8 inch apart. Sew down one long side, across the bottom, and up the other long side.

When you reach the top edge, stop about 2 inches before the corner and leave that 2-inch section unsewn. This opening is how you will turn the bag right-side out later. Tie off your thread with a knot on the inside. The seam allowance (the distance from the edge of the fabric to your stitching line) should be about 1/4 inch—not too close to the edge, or the seam will unravel, but not so far that the bag is loose.

Turning the Bag Right-Side Out

Reach through the 2-inch opening you left at the top and grab the bottom corner of the bag from the inside. Gently pull the entire bag through the opening, turning it inside out as you go. This takes a little patience—go slowly and work one corner at a time. Once the bag is turned, use a blunt object like a chopstick or the back of a spoon to push the corners out from the inside so they are sharp and square.

Press the bag flat with your hands or an iron to set the seams. The opening at the top should now be facing outward, with the raw edges of the fabric visible. Fold those raw edges inward about 1/4 inch on both sides of the opening, then pin them closed. Sew the opening shut using a ladder stitch (also called a whip stitch)—this stitch is nearly invisible because the thread runs inside the fold of fabric rather than across the surface.

Creating the Drawstring Channel

The drawstring channel is a tube of fabric sewn around the top of the bag that holds the cord. Measure down 3/4 inch from the very top edge of the bag and mark a line all the way around with a fabric pencil. Sew along this line using a running stitch, keeping your stitches small and even. This creates a channel between the top edge and your new stitch line.

Sew a second line 3/4 inch below the first one. Now you have a tube of fabric running around the top of the bag. Tie a safety pin to one end of your drawstring cord, then push the safety pin through the channel from one side. The safety pin will catch on the fabric and pull the cord through. When the cord comes out the other side, remove the safety pin and tie the two ends of the cord together in a knot. Pull the knot inside the channel so it does not show.

Testing Your Finished Bag

Pull the drawstring tight—the top of the bag should gather and close. Open it again and drop in your dice or small items to make sure they fit comfortably. If the bag is too tight, you can carefully cut the knot out of the drawstring, pull the cord out, and retie it with more length. If the channel is too loose and the drawstring slides around, you can sew the channel again with a tighter stitch.

Trim any loose threads from the seams with scissors. If you see fraying at the edges of the opening or the channel, you can seal it with a small dab of fabric glue or clear nail polish on the raw edges—this prevents further unraveling. Your bag is now ready to use.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Sewing with right sides facing outward: This puts all your seams on the outside of the bag where they show. Always check that the pretty side of the fabric is facing inward before you start sewing.

Making the opening too small: If your 2-inch opening is too small, you will struggle to turn the bag right-side out. Err on the side of making it slightly larger—you will stitch it closed anyway.

Sewing the opening closed too tightly: If you pull your thread too hard while closing the opening, the seam will pucker. Use gentle, even tension and let the ladder stitch do the work.

Forgetting to tie off your thread: Always tie a knot at the end of your thread before you start and after you finish each seam. A loose thread will unravel the entire seam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a sewing machine instead of hand-sewing?

Yes. Set your machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of about 2 to 2.5 millimeters. Sew the sides and bottom together, leaving the 2-inch opening at the top. Use the same seam allowance (1/4 inch) as you would by hand. The channel around the top can be hand-sewn or machine-sewn—either works.

What fabric works best for a dice bag?

Cotton, linen, and canvas are all good choices because they are sturdy and straightforward to sew. Avoid stretchy fabrics like jersey or spandex—they are harder to control and the seams will not hold as well. Flannel and fleece are soft and comfortable but may fray more than tighter weaves.

How do I make the bag bigger or smaller?

Adjust the size of your fabric rectangles. For a smaller bag, cut 4 inches by 6 inches. For a larger bag, cut 6 inches by 10 inches. Keep the channel 3/4 inch wide no matter the size. Test the fit with your dice before you commit to the final stitch.

What if I do not have cord for the drawstring?

Ribbon, twine, or even strips of fabric work as drawstrings. If you use fabric strips, fold them in half lengthwise and sew the long edge closed to create a cord. Thicker drawstrings are easier to pull and less likely to tangle.

Can I add decorations like beads or embroidery?

Yes, but sew decorations onto the outer fabric before you pin the two pieces together. Beads and embroidery on the finished bag can snag on dice or catch on the drawstring. Keep decorations away from the seam lines and the channel area.