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

Repeat the process for the lining fabric but leave a gap at the bottom that is 4-5 five fingers wide for turning the bag later.

Press both your bags and carefully clip out the corners. Take care not to cut into the line of stitching

Press the seams of both bags open.

4. Attach the Main and Lining Bags

Turn the main fabric right side out. Use a blunt object like chopsticks to push the corners out.

Insert the main bag it into the lining (lining remains wrong side out). Right sides of both bags should now be facing.

Pin the bags together and sew the around the top edge

5. Turn the Bag

Pull the main bag out through the gap left in the lining.

Continue until you pull the lining out as well.

Close the gap of the lining with a slip stitch or by topstitching.

Fold the lining into the main bag.

6. Sew the Drawstring Casing

Sew two parallel lines above and below the drawstring openings to form the casing. You can make markings to help you.

7. Create and Insert Drawstrings

Take one of your drawstring fabric pieces and repeat the following steps for the others:

Fold both short edges in by 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) and press to conceal the raw edges.
Edgestitch along the folded edges.

Fold the drawstring lengthwise and press to create a crease.

Open the fabric back out and fold each long edge towards the center crease. Press the folds.

Finally, fold along the original center crease and edgestitch around the entire length to create your drawstring.

Once both drawstrings are made, attach a safety pin to one end of one drawstring. Insert it through one of the casing openings and feed it around the bag, exiting through the same opening.