Sewing Tutorial

How to Sew a Drawstring Bag with Lining

August 24, 2024

Today, I have an easy and fairly quick sewing tutorial for you. I'll be showing you how to sew a drawstring bag with lining. Adding a lining to this beginner sewing project gives it a little something extra and is a great way to experiment with different colors and patterns. You can mix and match fabrics to create a bag that suits your style, whether you prefer something bold or more understated. This bag is versatile, and although I provide a one-size template, you can easily adjust the size to make a lingerie bag, a gift bag, or even use it for storing various items around the house.

This tutorial walks you through the steps with clear instructions and photos, so even if you’re new to sewing, you’ll be able to follow along. And of course, there’s a free pattern included to make things easier if you don't want to measure everything out.

Materials

2 rectangles of main fabric, each 35 cm long by 25 cm wide
2 rectangles of lining fabric, each 35 cm long by 25 cm wide
2 strips of fabric for drawstrings, each 70 cm long by 4 cm wide

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fabric Pieces

Cut the fabric pieces as listed above. On the main fabric rectangles, mark 5 cm down from the top edge on both sides. Then, mark another 2.5 cm down from the 5 cm mark on both sides.

2. Sew the Main Fabric

Pin the two main fabric rectangles together, right sides facing each other.

Starting from the top edge, sew down the side using a 1 cm seam allowance. Stop at the 5 cm mark and backstitch to secure the seam. Cut the thread.
Skip over the 2.5 cm marked area (this will create the opening for the drawstring later). Resume sewing from the bottom of the 2.5 cm mark, backstitch to secure the seam, and continue sewing around the rectangle until you reach the next 2.5 cm mark. Stop sewing at this mark and backstitch to secure. Cut the thread.
Leave the top edge of the main fabric open.

3. Sew the Lining Fabric

Pin the two lining fabric rectangles together, right sides facing each other.

Sew around the rectangle with a 1 cm seam allowance, but leave a gap of about 3-4 fingers wide at the bottom edge. This gap will be used to turn the bag right side out later.
Leave the top edge of the lining fabric open.

4. Trim the Corners and Press Seam Allowances

Turn the main fabric piece right side out. Place it inside the lining fabric piece, aligning the top edges. The right sides of the fabrics should be facing each other.

After sewing the main bag and lining bag pieces together, trim a small square from the bottom corners of both the main bag and the lining bag.
Be careful not to cut into the stitching. This step will allow the corners to lay flat and create a neater finish.
Next, press all the seam allowances open.

5. Assemble the Bag

Turn the main fabric piece right side out. Press to neaten. Place it inside the lining fabric piece, aligning the top edges. The right sides of the fabrics should be facing each other.

Sew around the top edge of the bag, joining the main fabric and lining together.
Turn the bag right side out through the gap in the lining fabric.
Once turned, sew the gap in the lining closed with a small seam. Press the bag.
Push the lining into the main fabric bag piece and press to neaten.

6. Create the Drawstring Channels

Start by measuring the distance from the top edge of the bag to the top of the gap you left in the side seams. This measurement should be around 4 cm.

Sew a seam around the bag at this measurement, ensuring to backstitch at the gaps on both sides where the drawstrings will go. This will strengthen the openings for the drawstrings.
Next, measure 2 cm down from the seam you just sewed. Sew another seam around the bag at this mark to create the bottom edge of the drawstring channel. Again, backstitch at the gaps to reinforce the openings.

7. Sew the Drawstrings

For each strip of fabric:

Start by folding in the short ends of the strip by 0.6 cm (or 1/4 inch) and pressing them down. Topstitch the folded ends to secure them.

Next, fold the strip in half lengthwise, aligning the long edges, and press to create a crease down the center.

Open the fold, and fold each long edge inwards to meet the center crease you just pressed.

Fold the drawstring lengthwise along the initial crease, enclosing the raw edges.

Edge stitch along the entire length of the drawstring, close to the open edge, to secure the folds. This will give you a neat, finished drawstring.
Repeat these steps for the second strip.

8. Insert the Drawstrings

Using a safety pin, thread one drawstring through one of the channel openings. Start from one side and guide the drawstring all the way around the bag, looping it back to exit through the same gap where you started.
For the second drawstring, repeat the process, but start threading it through the opposite channel opening. Again, thread it all the way around the bag, looping it back to exit through the same gap where you started.
Knot the ends of each drawstring together (optional).